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HomeFarming NewsFarm accidents prompt students to spread safety message
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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Farm accidents prompt students to spread safety message

Two Carrick-on-Shannon Community School Leaving Certificate students have created resources to promote farm safety.

Homeland and Nutrias Animal Feeds have partnered with the students to distribute their farm emergency contact poster and farm safety map.

Jane Carty from Knockroe, Boyle, Co. Roscommon and Grace McKeon from Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim were finalists in the Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition.

They undertook a project as part of the competition to highlight health and safety on the farm.

Promote farm safety 

“We chose this theme as we were aware of a few farm accidents that had happened in our local area.”

“We had also done some work on farm safety in our agricultural science class during transition year. As part of this, we watched a farm safety video produced by our teacher with students from the CBS Roscommon. This video really resonated with us.”

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One story that really touched Grace and Jane was the death of 16-year-old Donal Hayden, who sadly lost his life due to a freak accident.

Grace and Jane were inspired to create two items as part of their project and did so with the support of their teacher, Ms Louise Gallagher.

The importance of having local emergency contact numbers on display in a place easily accessed could potentially save lives.

“Quite often, when an accident happens on a farm, farmers turn to their neighbours for help. They might need a tractor or a trailer or they could just need an extra pair of hands. We feel it is very important to have these numbers to hand.”

Farm safety map 

The farm safety map activity is designed to be completed by small children and their parents/guardians and aims to spark conversation highlight dangerous areas on the farm.

It involves drawing a map of their farm and a simple traffic light system to identify hazards on the farm:

  • Red: Dangerous;
  • Amber: Must be accompanied by an adult;
  • Green: Safe for kids.

Aurivo Co-operative Society has adopted the initiative as part of their project to bring the concepts to life and to create a pathway of distributing to local farmers.

Both the farm safety contacts poster and farm safety activity map will be available across its portfolio of 34 Homeland retail stores in:

  • Donegal;
  • Sligo;
  • Mayo;
  • Leitrim;
  • Roscommon;
  • Longford;
  • Westmeath;
  • Omagh in Co. Tyrone.

Sheila Maloney, general manager of Aurivo Agribusiness:

“We are delighted to get behind this fantastic initiative by Jane and Grace to raise awareness of farm safety. The safety contacts poster and farm safety map gives an opportunity to take a proactive approach and have better quality conversations about farm safety.”

Ian Finneran, procurement and wholesale manager – Aurivo Agribusiness, also added:

“Everyone has a responsibility in making safety a priority on their farm. This idea from Jane and Grace is an excellent safety initiative and one which we are thrilled to get behind and help disseminate through our Homeland stores to farming families across the region.”

Farm safety competition

Furthermore, to celebrate the collaboration and launch of the safety contact poster and farm safety map, Homeland and Nutrias Animal Feeds are giving away prizes for three lucky winners under the following categories:

Under:

  1. 5 age group;
  2. 8 age group;
  3. 12 age group.

To win a pair of Dunlop kids wellingtons, Nutrias regatta softshell jacket and Homeland Beanie simply:

  • Download a copy of the farm safety map or pick up a copy at your local Homeland store. Get drawing your farm, highlighting the dangerous, must be accompanied and safe for kids areas;
  • Email a copy of your entry to – [email protected] – closing date Monday, August 2nd 2021
  • Clearly state your name and age and also your parent/guardians contact details
  • Organisers will announce the winner on Friday, August 6th
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