Children under 7 to be banned from tractors

Under new rules. farmers will be able to be prosecuted for a number of offences.

CHILDREN UNDER THE age of seven years old are to be banned from tractors.

The Irish Farmers Journal reports that from January 2015, farmers can be prosecuted in court for carrying a child under the age of seven in the cab of a tractor or any agricultural machine.

Farmers can also be prosecuted for any part of a PTO shaft found to be uncovered and if any access point to a slurry pit is uncovered.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the body in charge of enforcing workplace safety, will be given new powers following what is described as a “black year” for farm safety, reports the Irish Farmers Journal.

So far this year, 24 deaths have occurred on Irish farms, almost three quarters have been as a result of vehicles and machinery.

Read: Calls for farm safety to be taught to primary students following Cork farm accident

Read: Who you gonna call? The Department of Agriculture Investigations Division>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More