Minister Nash launches online tool for agribusinesses aimed at reducing accidents and saving costs

The Irish Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD launching the BeSMART agribusiness tool with Martin O'Dea, HSA senior Inspector

BeSMART.ie is a free online safety tool that allows small businesses to carry out risk assessments and create their own safety statements.

This new version now meets the needs of a range of Agribusinesses including farm advisors, equestrian centres, horticulturalists and slurry contractors.

All employers, including small businesses and the self-employed, are legally obliged to have a written health and safety document known as a safety statement. BeSMART.ie was developed by the Health and Safety Authority to help small businesses develop their own safety statement and to contribute to a culture of safety and health in their workplaces.

With over 30,000 registered users, BeSMART.ie is growing constantly and is now available for the Agribusiness sector for the first time.

Speaking about the new BeSMART.ie agribusiness tool, Minister Nash said: “I’m delighted to see the further development of this free online tool. Agribusinesses will benefit greatly from having access to a free and easy-to-use resource that will help keep them and their employees safer and healthier.

“It’s a great example of an innovative offering from the public sector that saves enterprises time and money. The Agribusiness sector now has access to the benefits already enjoyed by thousands of other small businesses in the retail, hospitality, service, manufacturing and construction sectors.”

According to Martin O’Dea, senior inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, said: “Through our BeSMART.ie tool we are providing ways for Agribusinesses to reduce costs while encouraging them to take ownership and control of safety and health management in their business.

“Evidence suggests that the average cost of using a third party to develop a safety statement can be up to €1,500. BeSMART.ie can save an employer at least this amount directly and contribute to an improved culture of safety and health in their businesses.”

The free BeSMART.ie Agribusiness online tool is available now at www.besmart.ie.