Farm Safety Week
by Marysville FFA
Farm Safety Week is September 21st through 27th
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment agriculture is one of Kansas’s most hazardous industries. In 2007, 18 Kansans ages 11 to 83 were killed in agriculture related incidents.
Mike Vogt, Marshall County Agriculture Extension Agent, said that it is important for individuals to be aware of farm safety at this time because it is harvest and wheat planting time. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration most farming accidents involve machinery. Proper machine guarding and maintenance can help to prevent accidents. Bob Voet, a life-long Marshall County agriculture producer, said farm machinery is coming out with new safety features that are causing a decline in farm machinery accidents.
Voet believes that farm safety is important because the world is operating at a faster pace. Taking time to use features such as seatbelts in tractors and wearing protective gear such as gloves, safety goggles, coveralls, boots and hats can significantly reduce farm injuries.
Injury rate are highest among children under the age of 15 and adults over the age of 65. Make sure equipment is turned off, hydraulics are lowered and keys are removed before leaving equipment unattended. Over forty percent of all farm jobs assigned to youth involve animals. Individuals should remind youth to stay calm, talk quietly and move slowly while working with animals.
Thousands of agricultural workers suffer disabling injures each year. Always remember to be familiar with equipment and keep safety first when working on the farm.
Written by Agriculture Communications Class: Jake Felty, Garrett Lister, Mike Peterson, and Zach Schotte
