With over 100 fatalities a year, the agricultural industry ranks as one of the most dangerous career fields to enter. For many in the industry it might be difficult to understand how this is possible; however, this is something that many safety coordinators are still trying to answer.
Industry entities facilitate safety courses to educate agricultural operations on proper personal protection equipment (PPE) and other safety methods, but the statistics and the numbers do not seem to correlate with the number of trainings offered. People have the resources, which leaves safety coordinators asking why they aren’t being utilized in practice.
“The complacency of, ‘it’s not going to happen to me theory, I know what I am supposed to do,’ is what people are thinking,” said Dr. Dee Jepsen a professor at The Ohio State University and Ohio’s agricultural safety and health leader.
Farmers may lose focus on safety when prioritizing efficiency in the field, which can lead to fatal outcomes. It may be obvious, but safety within agriculture can impact how farms operate safely. The four most common accidents when it comes to fatalities within agriculture involve machinery, grain operations, road hazards and chemical application.
Tractor and Machinery Safety:
Every farm uses machinery, and depending on the operations, this can be on a daily basis. With various moving parts like in Power Take-Off (PTO) shafts, there is serious room for error. When operating any type of machinery or equipment, there are safety procedures that ensure farmers and individuals make it home safely.
“If we can remove these hazards and injuries along with dealing with tractor and machinery safety, we could reduce Ohio fatalities by 60%,” Jepsen said. “Many of these fatalities and accidents could be eliminated by addressing safety hazards and increasing awareness when operating equipment.”
Despite the existing challenges, there have been strides a positive direction to the ensure safety technology within agricultural equipment.
“Agricultural equipment has seen a lot of advances in new technology,” Justin Tisdale said, manager of health and safety for Crown Equipment Corporation.
Most of the safety responsibility lands on the operations to maintain, however there is a role that the general public also plays when it comes to road safety.
“It can be an important tool in your safety toolbox, but everyone bears responsibility for encouraging and enforcing safety. Technologies are vital enhancements, but without human vigilance, they can create a false sense of safety,” Tisdale said.
Grain Industry:
A recent study from The Ohio State University Extension of Agriculture Safety and Health Program showed that 22% of fatalities are caused by being struck or falling. Another 22% of fatalities are due to entanglement, while 55% are caused by suffocation.
“A close second to number one would be our grain industry, because they have confined spaces and lots of near misses,” Jepsen said.
Many of these accidents can be prevented by using PPE. For example, having a clean N-95 mask can go a long way with helping to keep respiratory system clear from all the grain dust and mold. Another example is always wearing a harness when working inside a grain bin. Additionally, it is essential to have an individual on call in case of an emergency crisis.
Road Safety:
There are broad opportunities to enhance safety on the farm, but some changes farmers can incorporate when they’re traveling to a different location using agricultural equipment.
“The statistics from 1993 to this last year were very similar when it came to the number of crashes and injuries,” Jepsen said.
In 1962, Ken Harkness, an engineer from Ohio State, created the slow-moving vehicle sign (SMV). The SMV has been used for many years and is still a vital safety piece that should be placed on any vehicle or equipment that goes 25 miles per hour or slower while being on a public road in Ohio.
Chemical Safety:
When dealing with crops and certain livestock operations, chemicals are a part of almost every farmer’s life. Dealing with chemicals requires a variety of PPE when handling and applying chemicals. All chemicals have a label on the container stating the proper PPE that needs to be worn, along with safety hazards.
“If you are properly suited to [handle] the chemical you are handling, and following the directions given on the label, [there] shouldn’t be an issue with having chemical accidents,” Jepsen said.
It is a personal choice to violate the recommendations when using chemicals, Jepsen said. Chemical accidents can be prevented if the proper PPE is worn during applications. Making sure that the proper protection is worn can prevent long-term health issues and other hazards.
Not only do the farmers need to take safety precautions, but the public also needs to do their part to watch out for equipment.
“Rushing and Complacency also play a part in many agricultural accidents. We must always slow down and ask ourselves: ‘what can go wrong and what are the hazards?’” Tisdale said. “Be alert and attentive, don’t rush and keep your mind on your task.”
To maintain efficiency and safety on the job, it is important for agricultural operations to set time aside for proper PPE and training. Ensuring everyone on the job is properly equipped to perform tasks creates a safer work environment and increases production.