National Farm Safety Week

September 18-24 marks National Farm Safety Week. While encouraging safety on the farm is not a new trend, it is a very important one. Farming continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations in the American workforce today. The folks providing our world with an abundance of food, feed, fuel and fiber work around potential hazards daily on the farm. Whether it’s working on machinery, climbing in and out of grain bins or working with livestock, there are risks involved.

Farm safety doesn’t just involve farmers and their families, but also rural communities and the people that live around them. Respecting each other on highways, gravel roads and intersections is key to maintaining safety for all. With harvest time approaching quickly in South Dakota, please use caution with the many combines, semi’s and grain carts traveling down the public roads.

While accidents are bound to happen, farmers can perform the most simple safety practices to prevent injury and even death.

1. Know your machinery inside and out.
2. Do not wear loose clothing.
3. Conduct regular equipment maintenance and inspections.
4. Be aware of your surroundings while operating equipment.
5. Educate your own family on farm safety practices on all parts of your farm.

For more information on this subject, check out the South Dakota Safety Council’s fact sheet on Farm Place Safety.

I would like to end this post by repeating our friend, Jim Woster’s weekly words on Corn Comments by saying, “Farmers be careful in your work, and thanks for what you do!”