Health and safety packs

Under the 2014 '“ 2020 Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, Farm Family Key Skills (FFKS) scheme, CAFRE continues to offer health and safety workshops to farm families and their employees.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Apr 2018, 08:36 BST
Updated 3rd Apr 2018, 08:40 BST
Laura OKane with her father, Sean, on their family farm in SwatraghLaura OKane with her father, Sean, on their family farm in Swatragh
Laura OKane with her father, Sean, on their family farm in Swatragh

To reinforce the importance of attending health and safety training, CAFRE are now awarding a health and safety pack (through the FFKS scheme) to a trainee who has completed the course. Each pack contains a head torch, hi-vis vest, body warmer and safety wellingtons boots and will be allocated monthly.

Daniel Kerr, from Galbally, Dungannon, Co Tyrone was successfully selected to receive the pack after he attended a health and safety workshop in Carrickmore, during the month of November 2017.

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Daniel said: “The workshop was very interesting and made me think twice about the normal jobs that I do on the farm and the dangers that can be involved.”

Daniel Kerr on his farm near Dungannon.Daniel Kerr on his farm near Dungannon.
Daniel Kerr on his farm near Dungannon.

Laura O’Kane, from Swatragh, Co Londonderry, who attended the training with her father, Sean, was also successfully selected to receive the pack after attending the training in Swatragh in December 2017.

Laura said: “The training helped me understand the risks that both my father and I face when farming. It is very important for all members of our family to take our personal safety seriously.”

Laura and Sean are keen to avail of the new course under the Farm Family Key Skills Scheme which is First Aid Awareness for Farm Families which will be available soon across Northern Ireland.

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Trainees who have completed a FFKS H&S workshop from November 2017 will be entered into the monthly selection for a health and safety pack. The selection is managed by CAFRE who will notify the successful attendee. To date over 600 trainees have attended the training across Northern Ireland.

Daniel Kerr on his farm near Dungannon.Daniel Kerr on his farm near Dungannon.
Daniel Kerr on his farm near Dungannon.

Health and safety on the farm continues to be an issue. Statistics show that each month there are over 100 accidents on the farm that require medical attention. There is still an opportunity to attend a free health AND safety workshop at the following locations: Thursday 26 April - Armagh; Thursday 24 May - Ballymena; Tuesday 19 June - Omagh; Thursday 5 July - Newtownards (All 7pm).

Alternatively if your local community wishes to host a workshop then training can be set up for a group of farmers, family members and employees in your area.

Registration in advance of each workshop is essential. For further information or to register for a workshop, go online to www.cafre.ac.uk/industry-support/farm-family-key-skills or alternatively contact Samantha or Joyce at RDC on 028 8676 6980.

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Anyone who wishes to host a workshop in their community should also get in touch with RDC to discuss how this can be arranged.

Farm family Key Skills (FFKS) is part of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme which is funded under the NI Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. The programme is part of the Knowledge Transfer measure and is part funded by the European Union (EU).

For more information, contact Joyce McMullan at RDC Tel: 028 8676 6980, Email: [email protected]