It’s National Farm Safety and Health Week and an opportunity to remind farmers that agriculture is a very dangerous occupation. Chuck Schwab, Iowa State University Ag Engineer and Farm Safety Specialist says agriculture has the highest death rate of any industry at 22.8 deaths per 100,000 workers. He says National Farm Safety and Health Week coincides with the start of the harvest, because this is the deadliest season for farmers.
He says farmers need to slow down at harvest because any short cut can create a hazardous situation.
Schwab also says dangers can occur when farmers are moving agricultural equipment.
Schwab says tractor rollovers are still quite prevalent, as well as accidents that occur when farmers don’t leave shields in place on equipment.
