YEAR-ROUND FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH PROMOTION IDEAS

 

 

The following ideas are presented for consideration by those interested in promoting farm safety and health.  The student in HED 313s does not have to do these as assignments.  If you are interested in completing one for extra credit then contact your instructor at safety@siu.edu .

1.   Work with your local county extension office, Farm Bureau officers and committees, state Cooperative Extension farm safety specialist, farm supply stores and dealerships, farm organizations, rural health care providers and others to develop an ongoing effective farm safety promotion program.  Use the farm safety resource guide contained in this packet to identify some of the state resource contacts.

2.   Use material in the Farm Safety and Health Week packet to submit news releases and public service announcements to the local media.  Work with your local farm safety resources to prepare additional news releases that may be applicable to farms in your area.

3.   Work with local television or radio programs to feature spots on farm safety and health issues to promote safety throughout the year.

4.   Organize a safety field day for farmers and farm families that can be used to educate the whole family on farm safety and health issues.

5.   Organize and conduct a farm safety day camp for youth that can be used to educate the children in the community on a variety of the hazards found on the farm.

6.   Make sure that any local farm event or gathering has someone on the program speaking about a farm safety topic.  Develop a list of local events, desired topics and possible speakers for throughout the year.

7.   Sponsor and promote a first-on-the-scene response program for farm families who might be the first ones who will find a injured person on the farm.  Familiarize them with farm hazards and train them on how to turn off equipment and how to summon help.

8.   Sponsor and promote a first-aid and CPR course for farm families in your community.

9.   Sponsor and promote a farm emergency response and rescue training class for emergency medical and rescue personnel in your community.

10.         Sponsor and promote a Defensive Driving Course for farm and rural residents in your community.

11.         Organize and promote a farm safety poster or coloring contest at your local grade school or community organization.  Offer safety items, farm safety activity books or coloring books as prizes.

12.         Work with local businesses to display farm safety and health posters and safety reminders throughout the year.

13.         Work with rural health professionals to provide free blood pressure and cholesterol testing at farm supply stores, equipment dealerships, etc.

14.         Develop a farm safety display and use it at farm field days, events and programs, county fairs, etc. to promote farm safety and health.