Farm Safety Live returns to Tullamore Show for 10th year
Farm safety will take centre stage once again at this year’s Tullamore Show as Farm Safety Live returns for its tenth consecutive year on Sunday, August 10.
The initiative, which features practical, live demonstrations focused on safety around farm vehicles, machinery, and livestock, will be officially launched at 10am by Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae, who holds special responsibility for Farm Safety, Forestry, and Horticulture.
Organised in partnership by FRS Co-Op, FBD Insurance, and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Farm Safety Live aims to tackle the persistent dangers on Irish farms by engaging attendees with interactive and informative displays.
This year’s event includes a new chainsaw safety demonstration, introduced in response to a spike in demand for chainsaw training following widespread storm damage caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ben Fearn, Operations Manager with FRS Training, said the live demonstrations are vital in shaping safer behaviours on farms.
“This is the 10th year of providing live demonstrations at the show and they are a powerful tool for helping to change behaviours. Watching routine practices and observing the potential hazards helps farm families and farm workers recognise and mitigate risks.”
Among the demonstrations planned are tractor and PTO (Power Take-Off) safety, quad bike and ATV handling, as well as safe livestock control, all of which will be delivered by experts from FRS Training.
The importance of the initiative is underscored by alarming statistics from the HSA that farms remain Ireland’s most dangerous workplaces, with 171 fatalities recorded over the past decade. So far this year alone, 12 farming-related deaths have occurred, matching the total number recorded in all of 2024. Worryingly, five of these incidents involved farm vehicles.
Ger Hartnett, Senior Inspector at the HSA, said:
“Farm vehicles and machinery account for almost half of all farm deaths in the last 10 years. In order to keep reducing serious and fatal injuries in the sector, we need to improve the safety culture and behaviour on Irish farms.”
The live demos will take place at stand L105 at the Tullamore showgrounds and are expected to draw large crowds, with the event continuing to be a key part of the show’s safety-focused programming.
Chelsey Cox McDonald, Secretary of the Tullamore Show, said Farm Safety Live plays a crucial role in highlighting the daily risks faced by those in the agricultural sector:
“The number of families affected by farm tragedies each year is truly heart-wrenching. We hope each demonstration encourages visitors to ‘think farm safety’ and take practical steps to reduce risks.”
Also supporting the event is FBD Insurance, with Risk Manager Ciaran Roche urging attendees to use the opportunity to brush up on best practices:
“Most accidents are preventable. By showing farmers best practices, they can apply these on their own farms, ensuring that vehicles, equipment, and facilities are safe and properly maintained.”
Farm Safety Live continues to be a cornerstone of the Tullamore Show’s commitment to promoting a safer farming environment. Organisers are encouraging all show-goers, especially farm families and younger farmers, to visit the stand and take part in the interactive sessions.