This article is from page 28 of the 2008-04-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
WITH an average of 20 deaths and more than 3,000 accidents reported on farms each year, farming 1s cur- rently one of Ireland most hazardous professions. Next Tuesday, April 29, EIRI Corca Baiscinn in Kilkee will host a tractor skills course day aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 16.
According to the Health and Safety Authority, one in five deaths which occur on Irish farms involves chil- dren. In addition to this, almost half of these deaths involve tractors and other types of machinery.
In response to this alarming sta- tistic, Farm Family Support Service
and Farm Relief Services will run a safety course in Kilkee next week. The Safe Tractor Driving Skills course 1S aimed at young teenagers who are at particular risk from farm accidents.
The objective of the training day 1s to improve basic skills on the trac- tor and make parents and teenagers aware of the dangers involved in tractor and machinery usage, outline the legal requirements of tractor and machinery used by teenagers up to 16 years old and outline an approach to practical training which should be provided by a parent or guardian.
The course agenda includes safety checks before starting, setting up a good driving position, safe driving,
hitching the tractor to other imple- ments, operating trailed machinery from the tractor, checking the terrain and practical driving skill.
Each participant will drive the trac- tor with trailer around a specifically designed course and receive tips and corrections where necessary. The training day will also include basic first aid training, where each par- ticipant will learn the basic skills in first aid but with particular attention to common farm accidents such as cuts and bleeding, electrocution and eva
EIRI Corca Baiscinn provides a Farm Family Support Service to farmers in the west Clare area.
The Farm Family Support Service
at EIRI also provides free, confiden- tial advice and assistance on farm assist, social welfare entitlements, starting a new business, training for off-farm employment, farm en- terprises, farm finance management and information on schemes.
On completion of the course each participant will also receive a certifi- cate of achievement. The course will be run on Tuesday, April 29, from 9.30am to 4pm at Kilrush Mart.
The course costs €60 but families in receipt of farm assist will be enti- tled to a discount. Places are limited to 12 so early booking is essential. Please contact Hilary Gleeson at EIRI Corca Baiscinn on 065 9056611 Oy OL Lom WR hreF