Farm Safety Awareness Blitz at St Daigh's National School, Co Monaghan
Farm Safety Awareness Boosted in Monaghan School
Get ready for a safety extravaganza! A primary school in sunny Co Monaghan is leading the charge for a multi-agency initiative, aiming to heighten farm safety cognizance within its young scholars. This crusade is particularly significant as agriculture consistently ranks as Ireland's most perilous workplace, with a disproportionate number of fatalities compared to the overall workforce[1][2].
Last year alone, agribusiness accounted for 12 out of Ireland's 34 workplace-related fatalities, implying that over a third of all fatalities stemmed from this sector, despite employing just 4% of the workforce[1].
An Eye-Opening Day for Junior Pupils
With summertime inviting more outdoor activities on farms, St Daigh's National School in Inniskeen is making sure its students are armed with the essential know-how to navigate these potentially treacherous settings. From junior infants to sixth class, various agencies - including paramedics, local gardaí, farmers, and AgriKids representatives - have banded together to deliver interactive workshops tailored to each age group[3].
Teachers Aisling Kelly and Niamh Monahan kicked off the idea due to the strong agricultural background of many students, who'll undoubtedly be spending extended periods on the farms this summer season. What initially seemed like a straightforward first aid training seminar blossomed into a large-scale multi-agency initiative[3].
"We want our students to be aware of the hazards lurking on farms, yet recognize the farmyard's inherent charm," explained Ms. Kelly and Ms. Monahan. They also aim to prepare their pupils with rudimentary skills to cope with any mishaps if they ever encounter them while on a farm. Additionally, they're keen on imparting a broader understanding of farm life in rural Ireland, offering enlightenment to those hailing from a non-agricultural background[3].
Save Lives, Unite Strengths
Principal of St Daigh's National School, Tomás MacGiollachamáin, highlights the significance of the initiative: "Our school farm safety day empowers our pupils with invaluable knowledge. It's not just about preventing injuries, but ultimately saving lives. I believe that unity is the key to success - 'Ní neart go cur le chéile,' as the Irish saying goes[3].
Following the event, pupils can visit the Health and Safety Authority and AgriKids websites for additional resources on farm safety[3].
[1] Irish Farmers Journal. (2022). Preliminary Annual Workplace Fatalities Report 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Media_centre/Press_releases/Preliminary_annual_workplace_fatalities_report_2021/
[2] Farm Safety Foundation. (2022). Farm Safety - Working together to save lives. [online] Available at: https://www.farmsafety.ie/
[3] RTE News. (2023). Multi-agency initiative to keep Co Monaghan school pupils farm safe. [online] Available at: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/0608/1326980-multi-agency-initiative-to-keep-co-monaghan-school-pupils-farm-safe/
[4] AgriKids. (2023). Farm Safety. [online] Available at: https://agrikids.ie/farm-safety/
[5] Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is not directly related to the farm safety initiatives in Co Monaghan but is a broader trend in agricultural innovation focusing on the regulated growth of plants under controlled conditions. The potential impact on farm safety remains a subject of ongoing study and debate.
In the spirit of unity and empowerment, St Daigh's National School in Co Monaghan is collaborating with various agencies to enhance farm safety awareness among its students. This learning opportunity extends beyond basic first aid, encompassing science (understanding farm safety and agricultural practices), health-and-wellness (prevention of injuries), education-and-self-development ( cognitive learning), and personal-growth (skills for coping with mishaps and broadening understanding of rural Ireland). The ultimate goal is fostering a safer environment for the young scholars and promoting a deeper connection with the agricultural community.
