Celebrating National Farm Safety and Health Week

Sep 19, 2022


When posed the question of which industry is the most dangerous, most Americans would not put farming near the top of the list. However, agriculture is an incredibly complex industry that presents many challenges for workers, including machinery accidents, hot and strenuous working conditions, animal unpredictability, chemical and pesticide safety concerns, and more. For these reasons, the agriculture sector is considered the most dangerous in the country, according to last year’s report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 
This week, Sept. 18-24, is National Farm Safety and Health Week, which raises awareness of the risks that farmers take to put food on our table. The fall harvest season, especially, poses a threat to farmers’ mental and physical health, so it is a perfect time to focus on farm safety.
 
Listed below are tips to help you and your family stay safe this harvest season and to protect other farmers in your community:
 
  • Wear bright colors when out in the field
  • Keep fire extinguishers in all equipment
  • Mark all vehicles that will be driven on the road with “slow traffic” signs and reflective tape
  • Ensure all lights and flashers work properly on all equipment
  • Be aware of power lines, low bridges, narrow roads, and sharp turns
  • Try to only travel on roads during daylight hours
  • Respect heavy machinery on the roads and wait for them to pull over before passing
  • Disengage power takeoff when not in use
  • Carry a first aid kit in the cab of your equipment
  • Install rollover protection on tractors
  • Do not neglect sleep and proper nutrition
  • Keep children from getting too close to farm equipment
  • Do not wear loose clothing when operating machinery
  • Use gloves and protective gear when handling chemicals or pesticides
  • Do not multitask while operating equipment
  • Wear sunscreen every day
 
For more information on National Farm Safety and Health Week, visit The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety website at https://www.necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/.
 
For more content like this, check out the latest issue of The Cooperator.

Read More News

Apr 28, 2025
It can be a chore to find just the right gift for mom on Mother’s Day. It’s her special day and we want to honor her and show how much she means to us. There’s a lot of pressure to find that “perfect” gift. Well, don’t worry. Just head over to your local Co-op for plenty of gift ideas that any mother would be pleased to receive. Consider these suggestions:
 
Apr 21, 2025
Every morning, as the sun rises over the horizon, the sound of turkeys echo through the woods. Unable to resist this calling, hunters will often spend the early hours before work during turkey season lying in wait for an unsuspecting tom to pass by.

Every hunter has his personal tips and tricks, but there are a few basic tactics that can be followed to increase your chances of bringing home a trophy bird.
 
Apr 14, 2025
Before the weather even turns warm, many gardening enthusiasts are already making plans and studying seed choices for their home garden. Although many Tennessee residents have plenty of room for a garden, others may not be so lucky. If you’re hampered by a lack of space for your gardening choices, raised beds might be a solution.