Ciaran Roche
FBD Risk Manager
‘Staying safe means knowing when to seek help’
National Marts Farm Safety Awareness and Remembrance Campaign is an annual event run in partnership by FBD Insurance, Embrace FARM, the Health and Safety Authority, ICOS, the Association of Livestock Marts and the Farm Safety Partnership. This provides an opportunity to remember loved ones who have been lost in farming accidents. It is also a call to action: a time to promote safety awareness and reignite farmers’ commitment to farm safety.
A lasting impact
One hundred and ninety-one people were killed in farming accidents between 2014 and 2023. Every serious and fatal accident leaves lasting impacts on families, friends, and the community, at large. Support is available from Embrace FARM, which assists farm families affected by serious injury and sudden death. As a farming community we must work together to help prevent the heartache associated with farm-related deaths. This year’s campaign focused on livestock safety and the safety of the elderly, and a number of key takeaways are outlined below.
Livestock safety
Working with livestock can pose a risk to farmers. Such risk can lead to both severe injuries and tragic fatalities. In the past decade, 37 people have lost their lives in livestock-related accidents. The leading causes include attacks by cows with calves (33 per cent), being knocked over or attacked by cattle (38 per cent), and incidents involving bulls (24 per cent).
Livestock can be especially dangerous when they’re agitated, protective, or stressed, with heightened risks during periods such as calving, testing, and loading. To protect yourself, follow these key safety practices:
Golden rules for handling cattle
- Use well-designed facilities
Invest in your safety with well-designed facilities, such as a secure cattle crush, sculling gate, and calving gate. Always have a barrier between you and cows during calving. - Experienced handlers
Ensure handlers are skilled, competent, and physically capable of managing the class of livestock being handled. - Cull aggressive animals
Promptly cull cattle that display fractious or aggressive behaviour. - Bulls
Fit bulls with a nose ring and chain to improve control and reduce risk.
Safety of older people
Over the last 10 years, 70 per cent of fatal farm accidents involved those aged 55 and over, with 95 farmers aged 65 and older killed in farm accidents. The main dangers for farmers over the age of 65 are vehicles (38 per cent), livestock (26 per cent), and falls from heights (14 per cent).
A disproportionate number of farmers over the age of 65 are killed on farms, making it crucial for farmers to be aware of the age-related factors that can impact safety on the farm. Every farmer’s physical abilities vary. Many keep their strength, flexibility, eyesight, and hearing sharp well beyond 65, while others may find these areas declining.
Older farmers can remain safe and productive on the farm. The key is for them and their families to recognise potential risks associated with age and to adapt tasks accordingly. Make sure older farmers are physically fit for the work they’re doing and encourage them to adjust when necessary. Don’t hesitate to ask for a hand when it’s needed – staying safe means knowing when to seek help.
Prioritising these measures can greatly reduce the likelihood of accidents on farms, creating a safer environment for everyone. Make safety a priority on your farm in 2025.
Farm safety resources:
www.fbd.ie/farm
www.farmsafely.com
www.hsa.ie/farmaccidents
www.embracefarm.com
Contact Embrace FARM:
Statistical sources: Health & Safety Authority’s ‘Review of Work-Related Fatalities in Agriculture in Ireland 2014-2023.