It's Farm Safety and Health Week

It's Farm Safety and Health Week

Farm Safety is a very important topic and this week marks the 72nd year of National Farm Safety and Health week. The theme "Farm Safety...A Legacy to be Proud of " reminds local and rural communities that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. and farm injuries and fatalities are preventable through education. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that in 2014 farming accounted for 568 fatalities, with an estimated 70,000 injuries.

The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety's Dan Neenan shares some of the topics covered this week celebrating farm safety and health awareness

Neenan: "What we have done with the week is that we have broken it down so there is special messages for each day. Health Day focusing on health issues such as using the proper personal protective equipment for respiratory, safety glasses and hearing protection. Children's day — so focusing on child safety on the farm. Confined spaces in agriculture— so talking about manure pits and grain bins on the farm and the safety that goes with them. Underground ultilities — so many farms have buried gas and electrical lines that run through them and talking about the safety when dealing with those. Of course we have the overarching — we're always going to talk tractors and machinery. We're always going to talk about rural roadway safety."

To gain more information and resources on the topic of Farm Safety go to necasag.org

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