*Maria Kilmartin from ABP Food Group, with students Abbey Hehir and Rebecca Murphy from St John Bosco Community College, Co.Clare, winners of the ABP Farm Safety Award at the 2020 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
Three Clare students were announced as the overall winners of the ABP Farm Safety Award at the 2020 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
Abbey Hehir, Rebecca Murphy and Ryele Cantrell who are students at St John Bosco Community College in Kildysart were commended for their project, the Slurry Pit Saver. The girls are currently seeking a patent for their idea.
They impressed the judges with their innovative idea which is designed to prevent accidental deaths in slurry pits on Irish farms. The device in question is powered by solar energy and uses infrared sensors that detect if a large object has entered the slurry pit. The device then sends an alert to a list of mobile phones via an app.
Managing Director of ABP Ireland, Martin Kane congratulated the Clare trio. “Their project epitomises the spirit of this award, which aims to improve safety on farms and educate people about the dangers of farming accidents. As has been highlighted by figures published by the HSA, farm safety is still an area of major concern in Ireland. Through the sponsorship of this award, ABP hopes to contribute to addressing this issue, and raising awareness of the importance of farm safety, particularly among young people.”
