National Farm Safety and Health Week is September 17-23, 2023. This year’s theme is “No one can take your place”. Farm safety and health includes a large variety of topics. Each day of the week has its own focus.
Tractor and Rural Roadway Safety
We all have a part in road safety. Slow down and be patient. Never pass farm equipment while in no-passing zones. Use turn signals before passing. For every drive, on the farm or off, wear a seatbelt. For those driving large farm vehicles, use hearing protection and take your time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtrmNCqHOOw or https://www.uthct.edu/wp-content/uploads/machinery-training-guide.pdf
Health and Wellness
Farming is a 24/7 job. It gets busy especially this time of year as we go into harvest. Be sure to make time to take care of yourself as well. Eat well and stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen and prevent heat stress. Give yourself the fuel you need to get things done on the farm. https://umash.umn.edu/farm-safety-check-healthy-habits-eat-well-to-stay-well/
Priority Populations
Priority populations can be anyone who may need a little extra guidance on the farm. It can be children, older adults, or even people who don’t have English as their first language. Be sure everyone on the farm can understand directions. Do you need to share them in a simpler way or even in another language? Both children and older adults are more at risk for injury on the farm. Farms are wonderful places for children to live, work, and play. We all have a role in keeping youth safe while they grow up with agriculture. Also, with age comes wisdom…and new health and safety challenges for some who continue to live and work on the farm. https://umash.umn.edu/umash-success-story-supporting-agricultural-safety-and-health-throughout-the-lifespan/
Confined Spaces in Agriculture
Be sure to wear the right equipment and work in pairs to prevent grain bin related accidents. Wear a mask when needed to protect you. Use gas monitors to alert when conditions are unsafe. https://www.uky.edu/scahip/grain-bin-safety
Brain Health
What’s on your mind? Ask a farmer that and you’ll likely get an earful about the weather, how the crops are doing, the cow that just got out, and the list goes on. It’s a tough job and it can be hard on the farmer as well as their family. How to cope? Be honest about your feelings, seek support, and share your experiences with others who can relate. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/farmer-mental-health
Remember, no one can take your place. Each and every person is an important part of their farm, family, and community. Let’s all work together to keep our farmers safe.
Here are some great webinars from AgriSafe Network you can join to help you celebrate! http://www.agrisafe.org/nfshw/
To learn about harvest safety visit: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2022/staying-safe-during-harvest or https://nebraskacorn.gov/news-releases/protecting-what-matters-this-harvest-season-national-farm-safety-and-health-week/
For questions or to learn more, call Four Corners at 402-362-2621 or 877-337-3573 or email us at info@fourcorners.ne.gov