(Le Mars) — Harvest time usually proves to be a hectic, busy, and often times stressful period for our farmers and farm workers. Because of the rushing action, farm accidents are more likely to occur. Although National Farm Safety Week was recognized during the third week of September, officials say farmers should think about farm safety all year round. Iowa State University Extension Agriculture and Bio-systems Engineer and Safety Specialist Chuck Schwab says farming ranks as one of the most dangerous occupations.
Schwab says Iowa ranks high for the number of farm-related accidents and deaths. He says farm accidents occur to all age groups, and agriculture is one of the few occupations that have workers below the age of 16 and above retirement age.
Schwab says this time of year, when harvest season begins, is a time when we see an increase of farm-related accidents. Schwab says roadway collisions are especially common.
The Iowa State University Extension Safety Specialist says failure to notice left hand turns by farm equipment is another common type of roadway collision.
In addition to roadway collisions, Schwab says the most common type of farm-related accidents include roll-overs involving tractors, lawnmowers, and all terrain vehicles, machine entanglement, grain suffocation, electrocution, and slips and falls. Schwab says most people tend to ignore and forget about electrical shock.
Schwab says if you absolutely need to leave the vehicle, due to fire, then you need to jump clear and stay away.
Schwab says when moving farm equipment whether it is on the farm or down the road, farmers need to “Look up!”.
Schwab reminds us that slips and falls account for many farm-related accidents.
Schwab says farmers should implement the three-point approach anytime they need to climb on equipment.
The Iowa State University safety specialist says many slips and falls happen because of muddy or wet footwear.
Schwab says although attention is devoted to farm safety during this National Farm Safety Week, it is important that farmers and farm workers think about farm safety each and every day of the year.
Schwab says grain suffocation occurs more often than we care to acknowledge.
Schwab says younger children are fascinating with flowing grain, and are often times the victims of grain suffocation accidents.
The Iowa State University Safety Specialist reminds farmers and farm workers to make certain all machines and equipment are either turned off, or are in a locked position before any maintenance is performed. He says machine entanglements have meant the loss of fingers, hands, limbs, and even lives.
