Portwest launch farm safety wear at ploughing championships
WITH approximately 2,500 accidents occurring on Irish farms annually, Westport based company, Portwest, Europe’s leading work-wear and personal protective equipment manufacturers, have developed a new line of safety wear designed to reduce farm injuries.
The family run business, which celebrated 110 years in business last year, has begun rolling out their farm safety centre in agri-stores across Ireland.
In 2014, there were 30 fatal farm accidents - the highest ever in over 20 years. Portwest committed many months of research and have heavily invested in their first farm safety range as they seek to assist in supporting a decrease in farm accidents and fatalities.
Two of the key products within the Portwest X Range were selected to feature within the Innovation Arena at the 2015 National Ploughing Championships, being held in association with Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Farmers Journal.
“We have been manufacturing work-wear and PPE for the work-place environment for over 100 years. With over one in 10 Irish farms reporting a farm accident annually, we felt an onus to specifically develop and promote products specifically designed for safety and comfort of farmers.
“As a manufacturer of work wear and personal protective equipment based in rural Ireland, we are committed to playing our part in reducing incidents and fatalities occurring on Irish farms,” said Owen Hughes of Portwest.
Many farm injuries can be prevented or their impacts minimised if farmers are wearing the correct personal protective equipment. The company identified a disparity in the levels of awareness which those working in agriculture have towards ensuring proper work-wear is worn at all times to support promotion of a culture of safety.
They found that farmers do not pay heed to necessary safety features in clothing such as wearing clothing that has flaps or draw-cords that increase the likelihood of getting a garment caught in machinery; ensuring garments have some reflective elements to increase an individual’s visibility; respiratory protection against inhalation hazards such as pesticides, heavy dust and gases; hearing protection to avoid aural damage during high-pitched or loud noise level activities; and adequate foot protection that ensures protection against incidents such as falling or rolling objects, chemical or liquid exposures, sharp objects or where feet are exposed to potential electrical hazards
Portwest have liaised with farm agencies in Ireland throughout the product development process and the garments, designed to meet the specific demands of the farming environment, have been fully certified in line with the most up to date European legislation.
The next step is to educate the farming community on the importance of proper work-wear practises and the company has developed an accompanying farm safety booklet with messages from Macra na Feirme and Embrace Farm to further create awareness on how the proper work-wear alongside implementing other farm safety measures can go a long way towards decreasing tragic incidents.
Portwest farm safety products are available in farm stores nationwide.