This year’s Farm Safety Week (July 20th-24th) organised by Farm Safety Foundation encourages the farming community to recognise the real dangers of working in the industry and the importance of looking after their physical and mental wellbeing each and every day, not just for Farm Safety Week.
Throughout the week, the Farm Safety Foundation, supported by the Farm Safety Partnerships, the Health & Safety Executive, Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and the Health & Safety Authority, Ireland, will demonstrate the impacts of the recent COVID-19 situation on the industry and the support available as well as highlighting the positive moves to changing the poor safety record and introducing some exciting new innovations in technology to help us all farm safer.
This year’s campaign aims to:
- Acknowledge the poor safety record in the industry but recognise that this is slowly improving;
- Offer advice and guidance to support the physical and mental wellbeing of those working and living in the farming community especially post-COVID=19;
- Encourage those in the industry to stop and think about their safety and wellbeing and that of their families whilst working and living on farms;
- Underline good safety practices and share positive stories about the use of technology to improve safety on farms.
‘No borders when it comes to safety’
A spokesperson for FSF (Farm Safety Foundation) said: “This has been a particularly challenging 2020 for all of us and we are only halfway through!”
“It is encouraging that, over the past few months, farmers have been recognised as key workers that play an essential role in producing food for the country.”
The spokesperson said “there are no borders when it comes to safety” and this year’s Farm Safety Week 20-24 July will see partners in five countries over five days showing a united front in calling for the industry to take safety seriously each and every day, not just for Farm Safety Week.
“Like any farmer scanning his fields for green shoots, we are doing the same across the industry and we’re optimistic that a change is happening.”
Looking after physical and mental well-being
“Farmers are starting to make decisions that are in their broad self-interest and in the interest of staying safe and staying alive. Young farmers are coming into the industry with improved attitudes to working safely.”
“More farmers are being open about looking after their physical and mental wellbeing and using technology, learning business skills and taking innovative steps to make their farm businesses safe, resilient and sustainable.”
“Farm Safety Week may be one week in the year, but the Farm Safety Foundation is working all year round to educate, engage and communicate strong and relatable farm safety messages and deliver this change. We are very privileged to have this opportunity to work closely with the farm safety partnerships, health and safety organisations and the industry to drive safety forward.” the spokesperson concluded.
Image source: Farm Safety Foundation – Yellow Wellies Facebook
