With so much time spent on the farmyard it is the one place where safety measures should be prioritised and implemented at all times, in order to eliminate the risk of needless slips, trips and falls that can often end in tragedy.

Falls and collapses accounted for 14% of farm fatalities over a 10-year period from 2011 to 2020, according to the Health and Safety Authority.

Sometimes we can all become a little blind to what is around us on a daily basis.

That is why 'rethinking risk' - what National Farm Safety Week is asking of us - everyday will help us to make a conscious effort to spot potential dangers.

When it comes to staying safe on your farmyard, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has some key advice.

Some infrastructural considerations:

Falls from a height are a major cause of accidents on farms with fatal and serious accidents often happening when roofs are being quickly repaired.

A total of 18% of all deaths in the agricultural sector are associated with falls or collapses.

These deaths are particularly linked to fragile roof sheeting and skylights.

Weathered skylights become indistinguishable from other roofing material. Both skylights and glass, when painted over, are not recognisable as such and are highly dangerous.

So, when up on the roof:

Bale stacking:

Sources: Health and Safety Authority.