Health and Safety Authority launches primary schools' poster competition to raise awareness of child safety on farms

Monday 7th May

The Health and Safety Authority was today (Monday 7th May) joined by Kilkenny Senior Hurling Manager, Brian Cody, in launching a farm safety poster competition open to primary school children nationwide. The competition is aimed at raising awareness of child safety on farms and children are asked to draw or paint a poster and slogan highlighting the dangers on farms. Competition packs have been sent to all primary schools and the competition closes on 31st May.

Education Manager with the Health and Safety Authority, Ms. Joanne Harmon, said, "Farms are dangerous places for children as they combine both home and workplace and, tragically, children continue to get injured and die in farm accidents in this country. What can seem like a playground full of adventure for a child can bring devastating consequences for families. The lines can get blurred between work and safe play areas. Particular risk areas for children include moving tractors, machinery and quad bikes, slurry tanks, hazards at height including hay barns, animals and the storage of chemicals.

"Six children have died in farm accidents over the past four years. The tragedy of a child's death at the place where a family lives and earns their livelihood is an unimaginable horror that all must be vigilant to prevent. Children respond well to being educated about the risks around them. This competition is open to children of all ages in primary school and is an opportunity for children to raise their own awareness of safety on the farm as well as bringing the safety message home to parents.

Schools should co-ordinate the entries of their pupils and send them to their local Education Centre by 31st May 2012, where regional judging will take place. The winning posters and slogans will be collated into a calendar for 2013 and distributed to all primary schools nationwide. All enquiries can be directed to the local Education Centre or email educationunit@hsa.ie.