Health and Safety Specialist Francis Bligh joins Ciarán Lynch on the latest episode of OviCast with advice on safety around machinery and on farm.

Firstly, Francis discusses the HSA figures for accidents that have occurred in agriculture and the particular trends in the sheep sector during the previous 12 months - a stark reminder of the dangers encountered in the industry.

Francis highlights some of the steps that can be taken to improve personal safety and how to reduce the risk of zoonotic infection from livestock.

He then discusses safety around machinery and safe transport on roads, with Francis highlighting some of the risks associated with ATVs in particular.

Francis then moves on to farmyard safety offering his advice on some areas to focus on during the winter months and he also outlines the TAMS grants and capital allowances available for investments in farm safety equipment.

Finally, he finishes up by discussing farmers’ own health and mental wellbeing with Francis offering some sound advice in this area.

For more episodes from OviCast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast/