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Source: Nathan Winter, McLeod
and Meeker County Extension Educator
Spring is a reminder of a new start and for me
farm safety. Farm safety is so important to those working in agriculture, their
families, and those using rural roadways. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Website has numerous resources related to workplace safety and
health topics. Every day, there are 167 agricultural workers that suffer a
lost-work-time-injury. Five percent of these injuries result in permanent
impairment.
Although agriculture is safer than it once was,
it still ranks among the most dangerous industries. Those working on farms risk
fatal and nonfatal injuries, work-related lung diseases, noise-induced hearing
loss, skin diseases, and certain cancers from prolonged sun and chemical use.
Many of the mechanical, chemical, and environmental hazards increase the risk
of accidents. There were 374 farmers and
farmworkers that died from work-related injuries in 2012. The leading cause of
death for farmers and farmworkers was tractor overturns.
Unfortunately, we continue seeing injuries and
fatalities in the agricultural industry and often they can be prevented. Most
everyone working in the agricultural area knows of someone that has been
injured or has died as a direct result of a farming accident. Farm equipment is
safer than it used to be, but there are still injuries and fatalities that can
occur.
Kansas State University Research and Extension
highlight eight simple steps to be a safe machinery operator in their
publication called “Machinery Safety on the Farm”.
1.
Be aware. Recognize where and what the hazards
are.
2.
Be prepared. Replace worn parts promptly and do
daily pre-operational checks. Include preseason checks. Take advantage of the
off-season to do additional maintenance work. This gives you time to order any
shields and other parts you may need. Anticipate problems.
3.
Read the operator’s manual. The simple tips and
precautions in this publication are no substitute for the operator’s manual for
each piece of machinery. If the manual is missing, contact your dealer or check
online to get another one.
4.
Shield all moving parts. Make the machine as safe
as possible.
5.
Respect PTO and hydraulics. Remember that any
machine that is powered by a power takeoff driveline (PTO) or has hydraulic
systems is inherently dangerous.
6.
Shut it off. Before servicing any machine,
disengage the PTO, turn off the engine, remove the key, and wait for all parts
to stop moving.
7.
Watch yourself. Try to avoid particularly
hazardous jobs if you’re physically ill or mentally distracted. Fatigue and
stress cause many accidents.
8.
Use a machine only for its intended purpose.
Often youth are utilized to help out with the
farm work. Be sure to look out for their
interests by keeping them safe. In 2012, an estimated 14,000 youth were injured
on farms, 2,700 of these injuries were due to farm work. On average, there are
113 youth less than 20 years of age that dies annually from farm-related
injuries, with the most prevalent age group being those from 16 – 19 years of
age. Of the leading sources of fatal
injuries to youth, 23% involved machinery (including tractors), 19% involved
motor vehicles (including ATVs), and 16% were due to drowning. Be safe in your
work and look out for the safety of others as well.
Sources:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aginjury/
Kansas State University Research and Extension
“Machinery Safety on the Farm”, http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF2941.pdf
