THE FIRST SUMMER SCHOOL OF SAFEHABITUS PROJECT
Researchers Dr. Anastasija Novikova from the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development and Dr. Gediminas Vasiliauskas from the Faculty of Engineering at Vytautas Magnus University’s Agriculture Academy participated in the first SafeHabitus project’s“ Strengthening Farm Health fnd Safety Knowledge and Innovation Systems ” summer school from September 20 to 22, 2023. This three-day summer school brought together 40 specialists from European Union countries who shared their country’s experience and knowledge on the safety and health of agricultural workers and the challenges they face.
The summer school focused on sharing knowledge and experience of the diversity of challenges faced by farmers across the EU. Whilst many of the risks are similar, e.g., tractors, machinery and livestock, the context in which safe farm practices can be developed and promoted is varied. The main aim of the Summer School was to support the establishment of the ‘Communities of Safe Farm Practice (CoPs) to address these issues, laying a strong foundation for collaborative efforts.
The goal of SafeHabitus CoPs is to empower farm health and safety actors and relevant stakeholders, to increase learning and exchange knowledge, to co-design and pilot practical solutions for occupational health and safety and assess their implications for farmers, farm workers, farm stakeholders and rural communities. Each Communities of Practice will identify and work on specific needs and topics in their national/regional context.
Participants visited the National Ploughing Championships to see different approaches to a range of farm safety and farmer health challenges that have been developed in Ireland. These included meeting with Ms Alma Jordan, a social entrepreneur, who established AgriKids to enhance the safety of children on farms by working with primary schools, to live demonstrations of safe use of farm machinery by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland. Participants also heard from EmbraceFarm and Macra about programmes that have been developed to support the wellbeing of farmers and farm families.
