Farm safety is to feature prominently at this weekends Emerald Expo 2015 which is taking place at the Punchestown Event Centre, Co. Kildare on Saturday.
Organisers of this years event say that there will be forums taking place during the day and the sessions will be chaired by Sean O’Leary, Chairman of IFA National Dairy committee.
Organisers say that speakers will be informing attendees of the various considerations around farm safety.
Teagasc National Health & Safety specialist, John McNamara, will give an account of the Farm Safety grants available and how they can be implemented on the farm to make appropriate improvements to minimise farm hazards.
Pat Griffin, Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Senior Inspector, will be speaking at the Emerald Expo on the importance of the farm safety book, having a farm safety statement and its role in recording potential hazards. He will also address the relevant legal obligations for farmers.
Organisers say that the headline sponsor of the event, FBD Insurance, will be informing all present about their recent Champions for Change campaign.
The Champion for Change campaign involves visiting 30,000 farmers over the course of the year to advise on insurance requirements and also farm safety measures, with the aim of bringing greater awareness of the risks associated with farming and the need for all farmers to consider a change in how they approach daily tasks on the farm.
Arthur Byrne from ESB Networks will also partake in the farm safety forums to create awareness around the hazards associated with electricity on farm.
The Emerald Expo, now in its fifth year, is an all-breeds dairy show of Holsteins, Irish Pure Friesians, Shorthorns and Jerseys attracts visitors from both North and South. The event kicks off at 9am on April 11 and will mark the 50th anniversary of the Irish Holstein Freisian Association (IHFA).
