J. Grennan and Sons has welcomed the first Portwest farm safety personal protective equipment centre in Offaly to their Rath agri-store.
We know that PPE is not the primary solution to reducing work place accidents and fatalities, but it certainly is part of the solution. We are working hard to help influence behavioural changes amongst the farming community on this front.
Employing almost 115 people across the Midlands, the family owned and run agri-trading business will continue their roll out of the Farm Safety Centres in their five remaining stores in Kilcormac, Tinnycross, Moate, Rosemount and Moyvore over the coming months.
Our farm safety centres come as part of the launch of our X Range Clothing which was developed here in our Westport Head Office. Many months of research were dedicated to the X Range and Farm Safety Centres which we heavily invested in.
“We have been manufacturing work-wear and PPE for the work-place environment for over 100 years. With over one in ten 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.“ says Catriona McNally, Product Developer with Portwest
WHY IS PPE ON THE FARM SO IMPORTANT?
Many farm injuries can be prevented or their impacts minimised if farmers are wearing the correct personal protective equipment. The Irish 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 on the farm 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
- Adequate feet protection that ensures protection against incidents of potential danger to the feet such as falling or rolling objects, chemical or liquid exposures, sharp objects or where feet are exposed to potential electrical hazards
We 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.
We’re proud that J Grennan & Sons are the newest Farm Safety Centre stockists as they have been involved in farming and agri-trading for many generations. They are now one Ireland’s leading importers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of farm inputs in Ireland. Everyone is entitled to avail of workwear tax relief and all farmers should avail of this so just ask in any of Grennan’s stores for more information and advice on your farm workwear.
Portwest Farm Safety products are available J Grennan and Sons in their Rath, Kilcormac, Tinnycross, Moate, Rosemount and Moyvore stores. Along with Glanbia and Dairygold stores nationwide.