FARMING HAZARDS

In starting to look at the issues of farm injuries, please consider the following overview.  Answer the two questions and send your response to safety@siu.edu .  Then review the leading concerns.

 

Why is farming stressful?

 

Why is farming hazardous?

 

Key Factors about Leading Concerns

Tractor Hazards

50% + of farm fatalities are tractor-related.

300 deaths per year.

ROPS help, but only 25% use.

Seatbelts help, but only 20% use.

Problem areas include rollovers, thrown from, run over by, power takeoffs, etc.

Chemical Exposure

          Pesticides now have standards in place.

Hazards reduced by proper handling and storage, wearing PPE’s, and reading about following directions.

Child Injuries & Fatalities

          300+ die each year.

          Several thousand injured.

          4 & 14 year olds most vulnerable.

          Creating “safe play areas” and safety instruction is critical.

Older Farmers

          65+ year olds are 2-3 times more likely to die.

Hearing loss, vision loss, poor reflexes, fragile bone, and bad attitudes contribute.

Other Problems

          Livestock

          Gravity wagons

          Silos

          Manure pits/ponds

          Other equipment