42,000 HSENI Farm Safety Calendars set for distribution

In previous years HSENI staff would have visited rural primary schools throughout Northern Ireland in the run-up to the summer holidays; delivering farm safety messages and encouraging pupils to enter HSENI’s ‘Avoid Harm on the Farm’ calendar competition.

Unfortunately this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, personal visits were not possible, however, the poster competition continued on a virtual platform.

Throughout the summer months primary school pupils were encouraged to submit their entries online. Each of the weekly winners received a £30 gift voucher and their entry features in the calendar.

Speaking at the launch which took place at Carr Primary School in Lisburn, Robert Kidd, Chief Executive HSENI said: “Almost 600 children entered our competition this year and a big ‘thank-you’ goes to each of them.

“We are also enormously grateful to primary schools across Northern Ireland for their continued support.

“Working together with schools and children, the annual farm safety calendar is now a familiar sight in classrooms and rural homes and it acts as a daily reminder of the very real dangers that exist for everyone when on a farm.”

Primary school children submitted a hand painted or hand drawn picture relating to a key farm safety topic.

In their entries they highlighted some of the many hazards involved when working with animals, slurry, equipment and the risks of working at height.

‘Avoid Harm on the Farm’ poster competition winners:

Week 1: Méabh Devine, aged 9, St Colmcille’s Primary School, Claudy

Week 2: Marykate Sloan, aged 5, Holy Cross Primary School, Atticall

Week 3: Wesley Baird, aged 9, Strabane Primary School, Strabane

Week 4: Beth McAuley, aged 6, Woodburn Primary School, Carrickfergus

Week 5: Leah O’Hagan, aged 11, Knocknagin Primary School, Desertmartin

Week 6: Eli Irvine, aged 9, Lisbellaw Primary School, Enniskillen

Week 7: Daniel Glenn, aged 8, Carr Primary School, Lisburn

Week 8: Joshua Totten, aged 7, Kells & Connor Primary School, Kells

Week 9: Maria Devine, aged 8, St Mary’s Primary School, Barr

Week 10: Charlie Connolly, aged 6, Carrickmannon Primary School, Newtownards

Week 11: Harvey Graydon, aged 7, Fivemiletown Primary School

Week 12: Romaine Killough, aged 11, Carnalbanagh Primary School, Ballymena

For more information about child safety on farms please visit HSENI’s farm safety webpage: www.hseni.gov.uk/farmsafety