The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has issued a warning to quad bike users, urging them to ensure that “proper safety measures” are followed, after receiving reports of three fatalities linked to the vehicles in the past month, reports Breaking News.
In addition, the HSA is advising individuals working outdoors to exercise increased caution following a notable rise in work-related deaths in recent weeks.
According to the authority, their most recent data points to a “concerning rise in (workplace) fatalities,” with self-employed individuals and those in farming being particularly affected, reports Breaking News.
“Key causes of serious outdoor incidents include working at height and the use of quad bikes, both of which continue to present serious risks when proper safety measures are not followed. The HSA was notified of four fatal incidents in the past month, three of which were associated with quad bike use. Of nine confirmed work-related fatalities so far this year, six were self-employed, with five of those associated with the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sectors,” reports Breaking News.
Ger Hartnett, who serves as the Senior Agricultural Inspector at the HSA, expressed serious concern over the recent spike in fatalities, especially among self-employed workers and farmers.
“We are calling on farmers and all those working outdoors to take a step back, assess the risks, and prioritise safety at every stage of the job. No job is important enough to risk your life, reports Breaking News.
“Working at height, such as on ladders, roofs, or unstable structures, continues to be a leading cause of fatal accidents. Similarly, quad bike use – often on uneven or sloped terrain – has resulted in numerous serious and fatal injuries, particularly when the wearing of helmets and safety training are neglected,” reports Breaking News.
Mr Hartnett further stressed that even brief lapses in focus can have tragic outcomes.
“We urge everyone, regardless of how routine a task may seem, to follow safety guidelines, wear appropriate protective gear, and use equipment correctly. We want to see everyone come home safely at the end of the day. Safety isn’t an optional added step, it must be an integral part of the job,” reports Breaking News.
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