Farm Health & Safety Event

By Majella Canty

IRD Duhallow proudly hosted a Farm Health & Safety Event at James O’ Keeffe Institute. The event was a collaboration between the IRD Duhallow Rural Community Health Project, IRD Duhallow Blue Dot Project, Kanturk Fire Brigade, and An Garda Siochana.

The primary focus of the event was to demonstrate the importance of health and safety on the farm and to encourage farmers to prioritise their own health and well-being. The interactive event included a practical demonstration from the fire service, presentations on farm security from An Garda Siochana and information on mental health supports and services. Information on cancer prevention and heart health along with free blood pressure checks were also offered at the event.

Speaking at the event, IRD Duhallow’s Rural Community Health Worker Majella Canty highlighted the supports and services that are available to those who may be struggling to cope and encouraged attendees to ask for help and to access support services. Also speaking at the event IRD Duhallow’s Michael Morrissey Agri-Environmental Specialist Michael Morrissey said “Our Duhallow Blue Dot EIP Farmers have made tremendous environmental commitments in our Department of Agriculture funded scheme addressing water quality, biodiversity and GHG emissions challenges. The EIP project is delighted to collaborate with the Rural Community Health Project aiming to support our farmers on a personal level with issues relating to their health and mental wellbeing.”

IRD Duhallow Agri-Environmental Specialist Michael Morrissey and Rural Community Health Worker Majella Canty

Sergeant Mark Daly, Majella Canty and Garda Catherine Canty.

Michael O’Connor and Majella Canty.

Michael Morrissey, Majella Canty, Denis Murphy, Finbarr O’ Riordan, Ben Quirke, Garda Catherine Canty, and Sergeant Mark Daly.

Rural Community Health Worker Majella Canty addressing the crowd at the Farm Health & Safety Event.

Part of the event was a demonstration on the dangers of PTO mechanisms in action on farm machinery.

The event showed how to avoid a share of machinery dangers.

Firefighter Ben Quirke, Rural Community Health Worker Majella Canty, Station Officer Finbarr O’ Riordan, Sub Station Officer Denis Murphy.

After the proceedings, Refreshments were enjoyed in the IRD Duhallow marquee. People were also able to avail of a free blood pressure check. Special thanks to Dr. John Bourke, who provided the check-ups.

Majella Canty, Timothy Murphy, and Michael Morrissey