Dangerous business

What’s the most dangerous job in the US? Police officer? Firefighter? FBI investigator? MIB agent? If you picked any of those, you’re wrong. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the death rate for farmers is seven times higher than the national average. You read that right!

• This year’s theme of the National Farm Safety and Health Week (September 18-24) is “Protecting Agriculture’s Future” – reminding the agricultural community and the public of ways to safeguard families and farms.

Tractor rollovers are the leading cause of fatalities in the agriculture industry, accounting for more than half of all farm-related deaths, while the fall harvest is the most dangerous season.

• Accidents happen both on the farms and on roadways. Some common causes for accidents are when a vehicle attempts to pass and fails to reduce speed for slow-moving farm equipment, or when tractors pull or run off the road and lose traction and stability on uneven surfaces. Older tractors are also more unstable.
• Many rollover fatalities could be prevented if tractors had a rollover protection (ROP) device – mandatory since 1985 – and the operator wore a seat belt, but many vehicles are old and lack the necessary safety features.

Several states have successfully implemented state rebate programs and have seen a decrease in the number of fatalities from tractor rollovers. The matter is very serious, since farm fatalities deliver a crushing blow to families, rural communities, and agriculture.