Eileen urges all farmers to rethink safety after her livestock accident

DON’T think for one second that it can’t happen to you.

That’s the message from Eileen O’Driscoll who suffered a livestock-related injury in 2015, and is urging farmers to be safety aware.

She’s sharing her story as part of this week’s ninth annual Farm Safety Week which has a message: Rethink Safety. It aims to encourage a deeper awareness of everyday risks on farms and the practical steps needed to reduce risk.

Eileen farms with her husband Padraig at Coolbawn, Skibbereen. Her accident happened on Mother’s Day of 2105 when Eileen and Padraig were checking their suckler herd.

One cow was due to calf, she remembers, and they decided to bring her in to a shed in case she needed a vet.

‘The next thing I knew I was flat on the ground,’ she said.

She suffered multiple fractures and needed to be airlifted to Cork University Hospital by the Toe Head and Glandore Coastguard.

Her farm accident impacted her B&B business and she required months of intensive rehabilitation.

IFA President Tim Cullinan said Farm Safety Week is an important part of the annual calendar. It focuses on how farm families can continually improve their approach to farm safety.

‘The messages from this week should be carried forward by everybody working on farms, to keep themselves safe.

‘The impact of Covid-19 on people’s mental well-being cannot be underestimated. We would encourage everybody to seek support and resources to maintain a resilient and positive approach to their work,’ he said.

Patricia Murray, senior psychologist with the HSA, highlights the warning signs and what we can all do to make a positive difference to our mental well-being.

‘Now more than ever, the stress of juggling many different tasks, rushing to meet deadlines and working in isolation are challenging most of us.

‘When we’re stressed or tired, we don’t pay attention to details. We make more mistakes, which can have devastating consequences.

‘Take short breaks regularly, even for five minutes, build enjoyment into the working day to alleviate the build-up of stress.

‘Get support and help from local networks and plan for activities you find stressful to reduce the risk.

‘Re-framing a dreaded task by imagining how someone else might do it can often help,’ she said.

Director of Teagasc, Professor Gerry Boyle, said Teagasc strongly supports Farm Safety Week.

It’s a time to highlight the risks associated with farming and encourage farmers to put measures in place to reduce these risks and make their farms safer places to work.

‘This year, we are particularly aware of the mental and physical toll that Covid-19 has had on all aspects of society.

‘I urge all farmers to keep positive mental health and well-being at the top of their agenda,’ he said.

FBD Risk Manager Ciarán Roche said now is the time to  review working practices and ask if there are any practical safety measures they could implement to make the farm a safer place.