Ag and Farm Safety Week

The third week of September has been designated as National Farm Safety & Health Week since 1944. The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that in 2013 farming accounted for 500 fatalities, or 23.2 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Now with more people living in the country and commuting in to city jobs — there is even greater potential for accidents between farm equipment and vehicles on rural roads. MSU Extension's Mike Staton says that that the most common accident is a rear end collision.

Staton: "And the reason is that the farm vehicle is going to be moving so much slower. So what motorist can do is look for flashing lights. Try and identify farm equipment. Be aware of this difference in closure time and react as soon as you can. And look for 'slow moving equipment signs' on the back of the equipment. Should be about in the center of the equipment — and it will be a triangle that is going to have red margins and and an orange center. We really need to be patience when following farm equipment. The tractor operator will know that your there and will try to pull over when they can. The trouble is some of our shoulders are soft but there might be obstacles preventing them from pulling over. So just trust them to pull over when they can and then pass when it is safe. One of the most common ways that accidents occur is a left turn. So just be aware of that and look for farm buildings on the left side of the road. Look for the equipment slowing down a bit.