National Farm Safety and Health Week underway

Weeklong dedication to farm safety wraps up September 26th

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Farmers and ranchers are an important part of society because they provide the food that’s spread across dinner tables around the world

Just as important as the farmers themselves, is their safety and ensuring all farmers and agricultural workers go home safe at the end of the day.

From Sunday, September 20^th to Saturday, September 26^th is being recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week and is highlighting tips to help farms, farmers and farm staff be as safe as possible.

To help promote farm safety, the AgriSafe Network will host a daily webinar focusing on different themes:

The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety will also be holding a Twitter chat on Tuesday, September 22^nd from 7pm – 9pm CST.

Safe Electricity has also released a list of farm safety tips to consider when electricity is being used:

• Use a spotter when using machinery near power lines
• Use caution when raising augers or beds of grain trucks near power lines
• Keep equipment at least 10 feet away from power lines
• Inspect the height of the farm equipment to better judge clearance
• Lower extensions to the lowest setting when moving loads
• Never try moving a power line out of the way
• If a power line is sagging, alert the utility company
• If equipment hits a power line, stay in the cab, call 911, tell others to stay away and wait for the utility company to cut the power

Join the conversation and tell us about the safety tips you use on your farm. What information about safety can you share with other farmers?