Ryan Taggart: The importance of farm safety and the life-changing consequences of negligence

Ryan states that farming is the job he loves and that he is grateful for the opportunity to pursue it. Farming is safe when carried out with good practices. However, just like any other thing in life, people tend to get impatient or want to do things differently from traditional methods, which causes injuries and accidents. Farm safety should be a top priority in farmers’ daily lives. It applies to both children and adults. 

Ryan’s story

In 2021, Ryan lost the sight in his right eye. He was employed by an agricultural contractor. He noticed a piece of worn-out metal and thought the shoe needed replacing. While attempting to replace it, he found the shoe difficult to remove and struck it with a hammer. A piece of metal broke off and punctured his eye. Had it gone any further, his eye would have had to have been removed. 

Fortunately, Ryan can still continue to do the job he loves. However, not everyone is as fortunate. Farm safety is something that cannot be overlooked. Safety in any job is crucial. Always take the proper precautions, as nothing is more valuable than your safety. He now sees life from a different perspective and hopes to help others understand the true importance of safety. 

Ryan is one of many people who continued farming after an injury. Ryan has taken on the role of raising awareness for farm safety following his incident. Mike Nixon is also another individual who carried on doing what he loved after an injury that left him paralysed and in a wheelchair. 

Farm safety can also affect others, not just the farmer. For example, Albie Speakman, a three-year-old boy who tragically died after being struck by a tractor. 

It’s always best to take precautions and avoid unnecessary risks. You might save a little time or effort, but is it worth the possibility of irreversible damage?