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September 7, 2001

Kids are focus of Farm
Safety Week Sept. 16-22

From the field to the farm site, agriculture is a dangerous occupation. In an on-going effort to create greater safety awareness on the farm, the National Safety Council (NSC) is again sponsoring National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 16-22.

The American Farm Bureau Federation and American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA) recognize the importance of and offer support to this campaign. Farm Bureau is also committed to continuing to offer special programs encouraging farm safety.

"Farm and ranch families are the backbone of America. Keeping them safe is a major concern, so farm accidents are a tragedy we all hope to prevent," said Marsha Purcell, managing director of AFBFA. "In addition to supporting the efforts of other or ganizations to create greater farm safety awareness, Farm Bureau has long offered a variety of programs at our county, state and national levels. Farm safety camps, child safety seat programs, farm safety reviews and tractor rollover prevention programs are all examples of how our grassroots volunteers incorporate the farm safety message throughout the year."

This year's National Farm Safety and Health Week theme is "Kids #1 in 2001" in order to place a special emphasis on child safety. According to NSC, about 100 children and youth die in farm work accidents annually in the United States. In order to keep children safe on the farm, the week will focus on the dangers encountered in farm work, including those stemming from transport on farm tractors, grain transportation in wagon and activities in and around grain storage bins. In addition, the dangers that may arise from chores involving farm animals, including work near farm ponds and manure storage facilities, will be highlighted.

"The idea of a family business truly exists on America's farms and ranches since children are often very involved in their families' agriculture business," Purcell said. "Unfortunately, this also creates the potential for danger, making safety a top priority for all family members."

While there are safety concerns throughout the year, fall harvest is an especially high-risk period. Since National Farm Safety and Health Week coincides with this active time on the farm, both rural and urban residents should be more aware of safety concerns, especially increased farm-related activities on rural roads. Farm families also will be encouraged to consider the effects of stress, the necessity for balanced sleep and nutrition plus extra care when working around storage bins, wagons and other equipment.

"Harvest is an extremely busy time on the farm," Purcell said. "We want to make sure producers keep safety in mind."

Efforts such as Farm Safety Week seem to be paying off in agriculture. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries conducted by the Labor Department, fatal work injuries in agriculture, forestry and fishing dropped by 12 percent in 2000, reaching the lowest levels recorded for those industries. That decrease occurred despite an increase in the number of fatal work injuries in landscape and horticultural services. While those statistics are encouraging, Purcell said farm safety remains a concern.

"Even one death resulting from a farm accident is too many. Nearly everyone in agriculture knows someone who has been hurt or killed in a farm accident. That's something we must continue to try to prevent," Purcell said. "America's farm and ranch families take great pride in providing the safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. They also take pride in doing that at the highest level of safety possible."

For more information on the NSC and National Farm Safety and Health Week, visit http://www.nsc.org/farmsafe.htm.