BY TOMMY NETHERY
THE Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI) hs said that the tragic death of the former chairman of Omagh District Council, Michael McAnespie, who died after being gored by a bull on Monday, was a sad reminder of the dangers of working with livestock.
Statistics in The Guide to Health and Safety in Agriculture - a document published by the HSENI a few years ago - state that half of deaths associated with the handling of livestock on Northern Ireland farms were directly attributed to working with bulls.
More recent figures have reinforced the potential risks of handling these larger animals. Of the 28 people killed on Northern Ireland farms since January 2004, eight have been linked to livestock, with a high percentage of those fatalities directly related to bulls.
And at this time of the year when stock are being turned out to grass there is an increased risk, a fact highlighted by Kevin Campbell, inspector for the HSENI based in the Omagh Business Complex.
"Farmers should always maintain a high level of vigilance and have their guard up at all times," said the inspector, who had visited the scene of the tragedy shortly after the accident.
"At this time of the year stock have just be turned out of houses and could be that bit more excited than other times. With new born calves also in the field there may be an extra element of excitability too.
"We specifically advise livestock handlers to always to keep their guard up. Always be aware of where bulls are at in the field at all times. Do not approach them and if they show any signs of danger then that is the time to back off and reassess the working conditions of the bull and, if need be, have alternative measures put in place.
"At this stage of the investigation we can't comment on the specifics of the incident.
"I attended the scene with another colleague on Monday and the HSENI will be taking forward the investigation in regards to health and safety with the workplace," added Mr Campbell.
The inspector further reminded farmers of the dangers of working with machinery as the harvesting season fast approaches.
Bill Wasson, secretary of the Mid Tyrone Group of the Ulster Farmers' Union, reinforced the warning issued by the executive.
"I would reiterate the words of the Health and Safety Executive. Livestock handlers can't be careful enough. Obviously there is an increased risk and unpredictability while working in and around bulls."
