Playing it safe down on the farm

  • Shelly Webb
  • May 22, 2011
  • 285
                        
Summary—Despite the peaceful setting, farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, machinery, pesticides, chemicals; livestock accidents and disease are all areas of concern on the farm. Safety has to come first. Story—There are approximately 3.1 million men and women who work on America's 2.3 million farms and ranches. These individuals enjoy a job they love in the great outdoors, but farming is not always a ‘peaceful’ occupation. According to the National Safety Council, farm accidents and other work-related health problems claim as many as 1,300 lives and cause 120,000 injuries a year, most of which are preventable. Every year farmers find themselves handling agricultural chemicals and other toxic substances. Many of these chemicals are hazardous and can be fatal if not used and stored properly. Also farmers are exposed to dust, sun, noise and other potential risks; and machinery overturns top the list of farm incidents which result in the highest fatality rate. According to Mary Haywood of Ohio State University Extension Department, the most common farm accident involves tractors, mainly tractor rollovers. “Tractor accidents of farms cause the highest number of fatalities and are the most common farm accident that happens,” Haywood said. “Tractor overturns account for forty-four percent of all tractor fatalities.” Haywood said this is probably due to a combination of reasons. “It's probably a combination of being too familiar with the machinery and ignoring safety measures,” she said. “When you are overly familiar with a piece of machinery you may not always be as alert to the hazards as you should. This can cause an individual to not always follow the correct safety measures with that piece of machinery. The mind set of "it hasn't happened to me yet" may come into play as well. Following all the safety rules that come with a piece of equipment if a must for any farmer regardless of how much experience he or she has.” In addition to safety practices, proper machine inspection and maintenance can help prevent accidents. Using safety gloves, goggles and other protective equipment can also reduce accidents. Children can be at an even bigger risk on a farm. Farm accidents claim as many as 300 children’s lives per year. There are many ways to reduce the risk of a child getting injured or killed on a farm. Haywood recommends developing an awareness of hazards on the farm and making a conscious effort to prepare for emergency situations including fire, vehicle accidents, electrical shock from equipment and wires, and adverse health effects from chemical exposures. “It’s important to be especially alert to hazards that may affect children,” she said. “Children are at risk on the farm. To help prevent child injuries, parents can make sure they are supervising their children while they are completing the task, make sure the child is able to handle the task (this is more than they just want to do the task), and train their children on the hazards and safety practices for the task in which they are completing. Provide rollover protective structures, protective enclosures, or protective frames as appropriate for all farm tractors and make sure to use seat belts while the tractor is in operation.” Storing pesticides and other chemicals in an area away from children is also important. Make sure to discuss chemical hazards with your children and give them explicit rules regarding these substances. Many times animals can accidentally injure a child or adult. Horse mishaps can occur with little warning. Parents need to supervise their children around animals and teach them exactly how each specific breed should be approached and handled. Animals have thrown, stomped and crushed individuals purely by accident, taking safety precautions around all animals is a must on a farm. There are many organizations such as OSU Extension as well as OSHA that are more than willing to supply local farms with safety training and safety recommendations. If you have any questions about implementing a safety plan or hazardous awareness program on your farm you may contact either agency. OSU Extension, local contact number is (330) 674-3015 and OSHA can be reached at (202) 523-8151.


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