FBD is urging farmers and contractors to take just 10 minutes each day to check their tractors and machinery as National Tractor Safety Week gets under way today (Monday May 25).

The Farm Safety Partnership Tractor Safety Week in collaboration with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), will focus on the practical measures that can be applied in order to prevent and reduce serious and fatal accidents involving tractors and other farm vehicles.

Tractors remain one of the greatest safety risks on Irish farms.

According to the HSA's 'Review of Work‑Related Deaths in Agriculture in Ireland between 2016–2025', vehicles were involved in 41% of fatal farm workplace accidents.

Of the 73 farm-related deaths, 52% involved tractors, while quad bikes accounted for 18%, with 23% accounting for loaders, telehandlers, trailers, and excavators.

FBD has said that these figures highlight the urgent need to educate farmers and contractors about vehicle upkeep and ensure that only competent and experienced operators use them.

Tractor safety

Many tragedies can be prevented by building simple safety habits into the working day, the insurer has said.

Spending a few minutes walking around machinery before work, checking the basics, reviewing potential risks in the yard, and discussing tasks with anyone helping on the farm can make a real difference.

Farmers and contractors are also being encouraged to stop work immediately if something appears unsafe, and to ensure that any mechanical issues are resolved before work continues.

Risk manager at FBD, Ciaran Roche said: “Behind every fatal statistic is a family and a community coping with a devasting loss.

"Good brakes, driving at a safe speed, competent operators and keeping children away from tractors and machinery are basic precautions, but they are absolutely vital in saving lives.

“Farmers are under pressure every day, but safety cannot be the thing that gets pushed aside," he added.

FBD said that this week is about encouraging practical habits that protect farmers, families, contractors and everyone working in the farmyard.

Safety

Farmers rely on tractors and machinery every day, which can make risks easy to overlook.

Most accidents stem from four areas:

The operator – errors, inexperience, rushing, speed, fatigue or distraction;
Environmental conditions – steep gradients, poor visibility or weather;
The vehicle – poor mechanical condition, especially faulty brakes;
Systems of work – not following safe operating procedures or ignoring warnings.

Nearly all fatal tractor accidents can be prevented by following simple everyday steps such as: ensuring that only competent operators drive a tractor; always driving at a safe speed; avoiding rushing; parking safely; and taking adequate breaks to avoid fatigue.

Regular tractor maintenance is essential to help prevent accidents and breakdowns, while child safety should always remain a top priority.

Children should be kept well away from moving vehicles and trailers at all times during operation.

Daily Themes for National Tractor Safety Week

Each day of the 2026 National Tractor Safety campaign will focus on a specific issue:

1. Maintenance and the 'Tidy Tractor'Emphasising the importance of keeping your vehicle in good working condition.

Ensuring the basics are all maintained including working brakes, good tyres, clean windows, effective lighting and a tidy cab to prevent objects from getting caught under foot controls.

2. Safe operationDay two of the campaign will promote competent driving practices such as sticking to safe speeds, ensuring full concentration while driving - free of distractions such as mobile phone use - as well as safe operating procedures when manoeuvring tractors.

3. Blind spotsThis focus will raise awareness of visibility risks around tractors and attachments, especially during yard work and manoeuvring.

Due to size of tractors and trailed implements, vision can be significantly reduced, meaning extra caution around blind spots must be taken to reduce risk of accidents. 

4. Older farmers and young peopleHighlighting risks for both groups of older and younger farmers.

While older farmers may face reduced mobility or slower reaction times, younger people may lack experience and a full understanding of the associated risk.

With this in mind, the HSA and FBD have stressed that it is essential that young children are supervised and kept away from areas where tractors are operating.

Also young persons must be trained in the safe operation of tractors and be made aware comply with the legal driving age requirements.  

5. FatigueA large focus will be placed on tiredness as a major factor in farm accidents, particularly during harvest and peak seasons when long hours are common.

The campaign will emphasise the need for vehicle operators to take adequate breaks, stay hydrated and practice good nutrition and sleeping habits to help avoid fatigue while operating machinery.