Farmers maintain safety priorities

Farming remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. That is why North Carolina Farm Bureau is working with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to promote safety and health in your community.

National Farm Safety and Health week is September 15-21, 2013. This year’s theme is Working Together for Safety in Agriculture. The theme reinforces the importance of us all making a joint effort to be sure farmers make it home to their family at night… so do you.

There were almost 600 deaths and 70,000 disabling injuries attributed to agriculture in 2010.

These figures are especially important during harvest season, as farmers are putting in long hours under the stress of weather delays, equipment breakdowns, and high operating costs.

Whether you are an equipment dealer, veterinarian or farmer, everyone plays a role in promoting safety. Think of it like cogs in a machine; alone each cog is just one small part of a system, but together, it makes a system work.

According to Doug Harmon from Polk County Farm Bureau, “Farmers need to set some priorities to reduce the risk of injury to their self, their family and their employees. This week, we honor their efforts to prepare our next generation with the knowledge and training they need to stay safe and healthy.”

North Carolina farmers, farm workers and their families, and their partners work together to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and health issues.

– article submitted by Mandy Wolfe