The importance of operating a tractor safely in a farm setting was emphasised to senior students of the Killorglin Community College this week through a practical, hands-on course at the school. The course, organised by South Kerry Development Partnership’s Rural Agricultural Office John McCrohan and funded through the Family Supported Learning Budget of SKDP, was aimed at ensuring that Ag Science students at the college got the opportunity to see at first hand the potential dangers around operating a tractor and how to minimise the risk to both themselves and others when working on the farm with the tractor. The course was arranged following an approach from Killorglin Community College Principle Con Moynihan to SKDP and the Zetor Tractor and other farm machinery for the safety course was provided free of charge by newly appointed Zetor main dealer for Kerry, Hoare’s farm machinery in Killorglin.
SKDP’s John McCrohan said that he was delighted to get involved in organising such a course for the students given how vital it is to ensure that safety on farms is the number one priority. “We have seen over the last number of months’ accidents on farms involving tractors and machinery resulting in serious injury and unfortunately the deaths of farmers so helping stress to these students the importance of working safely with the tractor in particular is very important” John said.
Tim Hoare of Hoare Farm Machinery said that while manufacturers such a Zetor were always aiming to improve the safety of their products through innovation, it is still vital that farmers have the knowledge on how to handle and use these machines safely. The tractor is a key piece of equipment on the farm and one where a farmer spends most of their time working with so the safe operation of it is crucial in order to prevent serious injury and even death”. “We are delighted to provide the tractor and other machinery free for this course as we feel it is an ideal chance to give proper instruction to these young farmers on the safe operation of such a tractor” Tim said.
Ag Science teacher Marieke O’Connor pointed out that a farm is a dangerous work place, not just for the farmer but for other members of the farm family and by teaching the students the importance of safety and how to use a machine such as a tractor properly, we can hopefully reduce the danger of accidents on farms in the future. “I would like to thank both SKDP and Hoare Farm Machinery for enabling us to put on this course for our students here in Killorglin and I believe it is vital that students get exposed to a practical demonstration such as this one on tractor safety” she added.
The course was conducted by trainer Val O’Connor of the FRS training group and involved some 20 senior students at Killorglin Community College.
