A Monaghan farmer is urging farmer's to make safety a priority this Farm Safety Week.
Workplace accidents increased by 50% year on year last year, with agricultural accidents accounting for 16 deaths PJ Fitzsimons lost his father, Peter, after he fell through the roof of a shed he was working on. Despite paramedics attempts to save him, they received no response, and were unable to save him. Now PJ is hosting a Farm Safety event tomorrow between 6pm and 9pm on his farm and is encouraging everyone to attend.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show earlier, the Monaghan farmer says anyone working on a farm needs to be mindful and take active steps to protect themselves.
"I think the main problem is people are on their own on the farm. They're trying to chance doing all these jobs on their own and that's the main problem. It's something simple but I say to people, carry a phone in a pocket with you at all times. If i was jumping out of the tractor to do something, I'd take the phone out of the holder and put it in my pocket because I've ofeten thought if i fell down and broke my leg for example. i'd be a long time lying in the garden before someone might find me"
Address of event: Inniskeen, Monaghan, A91 WP2P
