All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) like quads and utility vehicles, have made a huge contribution to modern farming; making everyday tasks simpler, safer and quicker. However, over the past few months we have seen increased discussions online and in print about their safety. From the beginning of work year 2017, until September 2020 there have been 39
Home on the Farm is a new online network developed to support females in farming and farming families throughout the UK. The forum is the brainchild of Milly Fyfe – industry ambassador, farmer’s wife and mother, together with The Farming Forum, Farm Safety Foundation and The Farming Community Network (FCN). Having shared her own experiences
In today’s final blog for Farm Safety Week, Stephanie Berkeley looks at the popularity of road cycling and the dangers faced by anyone driving an agricultural vehicle on rural roads. An upsurge in the popularity of cycling and, in particular, road cycling means that British Cycling, the national governing body for cyclesport now boasts over
Mobile phones are a constant in most of our lives. But there’s a time where you certainly shouldn’t be phoning, texting, Tweeting and TikToking: when you’re behind the wheel – of your car, your quad or your tractor. In the past, we’ve all seen campaigns against drink driving. Campaigns that have proven successful given the
Fatal accidents involving agricultural vehicles or farm workers travelling on a public highway, are referred to as ‘road traffic accidents’ and reported to the Department for Transport. These figures do not appear in the HSE Fatal Injuries in Agriculture figures, however many farmers are involved in these fatal accidents so staying safe on our rural
The number of apps available for download continues to grow. The Google Play Store for Android and the Apple App Store for iOS offer a selection of 2.2 million apps each, according to the businessofapps.com. Agricultural apps make up a relatively thin slice of the overall mix, but still present a huge assortment of options
Farming – an environment where everything, including technology, is constantly growing… Have you seen the CommandCenter of a John Deere 9620RX? It’s like the Starship Enterprise. Another area that has started to feel the impact of emerging technology is training and, for a charity like the Farm Safety Foundation, that engages, inspires and educates the
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and NI Farm Safety Partnership recently launched their 2021 child safety poster competition and, now half way through the competition and half way through Farm Safety Week, we are actively encouraging NI primary aged schoolchildren to get involved! The competition is for children to draw and colour
Farms may conjure an image of a picture-perfect landscape, with children running and playing in green fields. But farms come with their own dangers. And there have been plenty of debates and yes, arguments, over the years on what should be done to ensure the safety of children who live or work on our farms.
These are worrying and difficult times for everyone. Even as lockdown measures are easing, this brings about new uncertainties and concerns for livelihoods and families. Alongside the pressures of being key workers, farming communities have been contending with additional demands such as schooling children at home, checking in on neighbours, and looking after family members.