Farm and rural safety is no accident

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Nationally, agriculture is one of the most dangerous professional occupations. Every year, an estimated one out of nine Indiana farm families has the experience of an injury on the farm requiring medical attention.

During the past 20 years, between eight and 42 members of farm families have died each year as a result of farm work-related injuries with an average of about 22 per year in Indiana. Between 1980 and 2013, Putnam County had 10 farm-related fatalities compared to Elkhart, LaGrange and Greene counties leading with 28, 26 and 22 deaths, respectively, during the period.

Sadly, the 2014 report to be released months from now will reflect two additional Putnam County deaths.

Warm weather is about to arrive. Youth will be outside more where physical injury would be more likely to occur where safety precautions and rules have not been established. Whether flowing grain, riding on a tractor draw bar or otherwise insecurely, using equipment improperly or extracting stuck equipment inappropriately, these are a few ways for youth to become in deep trouble as they play, live and work around the farm experiencing situations that urban counterparts do not experience. While one in five of serious grain bin incidents involve individuals age 21 and under and many think of grain entrapment as the leading cause of death, tractor rollovers are actually the most common cause of death accounting for nearly one half of deaths in the past 20 years.

Most people can think of a time when their life passed before their eyes. Grace has been extended to myself on two occasions that both involved agricultural situations and have scarred my mind with "what if" permanently. Once was trying to place a round bale into a feeder with a tractor that was much too small and without adequate rear weight. The ground was bumpy and frozen. While the fork bucket was up high, the round bale in tow started to roll and nearly rolled down the arms of the tractor and would have crushed me in my seat. Additionally, as a child when riding on a tractor pulling a load of hay, my curiosity overcame me to stick my foot on the moving tractor tire to see what would happen. Yes, my foot became caught but thankfully I was able to jerk my foot back.

In both of the previous situations, major errors were made. Equipment without adequate rear weight that was also too small is like using a dull knife to cut something. A dull knife is much more likely to hurt someone than a sharp knife used properly. Moral of the story is use the right tools and equipment for the application. In the latter situation as a child, my parents should not have allowed me to ride on the draw bar of a tractor pulling something period. If an axle or hitch broke certain disaster would occur. No matter how tight one thinks they are holding on, it is still not safe ... period!

Thanks to safety programs, today many would not think of letting a child ride on a drawbar when towing an implement or riding on a fender of a smaller tractor both practices that were common place more than 20 years ago in rural communities.

What causes us to do something we know we should not do? It is like the wet paint that says do not touch and what do we do? Most often we think it won't happen to me this time or everybody else does it and nothing happened to them. More so, when in a hurry or when frustration sets in, common sense and safety go out the window.

When extracting stuck equipment, one may become angry or embarrassed and use a chain or cable not rated for the application or give a big jerk that results in a chain flying through the back of the vehicle or striking someone otherwise. Perhaps in a hurry, the safety shield or cover is not fixed or reinstalled after maintenance leaving access to high voltage, moving parts, PTO, or other dangers. Becoming blind to power lines when moving augers, elevators or other tall equipment or simply playing outdoors can quickly get one into trouble. Stop to think, become aware of surroundings and don't make bad decisions.

As another growing season is about kick off, please take time to use safety equipment, discuss safety, have safety meetings with family and staff, and think about the fact that your family members need you. You are too valuable to risk your life by taking short cuts that will sooner or later burn you with an injury or worse.

Visit the homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming Events

April 6 -- Wear Blue child abuse prevention program, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.

April 6 -- Putnam 4-H Junior Leaders, Fairgrounds, follows child abuse prevention program.

April 7 -- Sewing 4-H workshop, Extension Office, 6:30 p.m.

April 15 -- State Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall worker applications due.

April 16 -- Electric workshop for 4-Hers, Extension Office, 6-8 p.m.

April 23 -- Exploring 4-H meeting, Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.

April 24 -- Performing Arts Area V 4-H contest, Vermillion County.

April 27 -- Fair Board meeting, Fairgrounds, 7:30 p.m.

April 29 -- Kim Miller Retirement Reception, Extension Office, 4:30-7 p.m.

May 15 -- Livestock 4-H enrollment deadline (except poultry).

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: