Re: Safety Tips-Ag/Farm Facts...
The Plain Facts ... About the Agricultural Industry
Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States.
Mechanical, chemical and environmental hazards may increase the risk of accident for agricultural workers. Most farm and ranch accidents are preventable.
Over 700 farmers and ranchers die in work-related accidents yearly.
Many of these injuries occur when farm tractors roll over on the operator and its passengers. Another 120,000 agricultural workers suffer disabling injuries from work-related accidents.
Farm and ranch women are among those at risk in work- related accidents.
Their involvement with livestock and farm equipment puts them at greater risk to work injuries. Power Take-Offs (PTOs) and the moving parts associated with some farm equipment may entangle loose clothing or catch long hair.
Senior farmers are at increased risk from farm accidents and injuries.
Farmers no longer retire at age 65 -- many farm well into their 70s. Senior farmers often take prescribed medications, work with physical disabilities, and/or suffer from hearing loss. All these factors may increase senior farmers' risk for work-related injuries and death.
Children are at special risk from farm-related accidents.
Most of the 200-plus deaths among children on farms result from being innocent bystanders or passengers on farm equipment. Surveys indicate that many farm children are working in dangerous environments by the age of 10.
Farmers are not using life-saving rollover seat belts.
Only half of the farm tractors used on U.S. farms are equipped with life-saving rollover protective structures (ROPs) with seat belts. Many farm tractors were manufactured prior to the voluntary installation of ROPs with seat belts, while some newer tractors have had their ROPs removed by the owner.
Farmers are not taking advantage of injury-preventing safety equipment.
Most farm tractors are only designed for one person. Extra riders on farm tractors is discouraged due to the hazard associated with falling from the tractor or falling into the path of trailing equipment. Carrying passengers may divert the attention of the driver from the important task of operating the tractor.
Emergency medical care is not readily accessible to farmers and ranchers.
The isolated nature of farms and ranches in our nation's rural areas creates difficult conditions for emergency medical service providers. Farmers and ranchers often work alone and may become entrapped, entangled or disabled for precious hours before they receive medical attention.
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