ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK IS SEPT. 19-25
 

AUBURN, SEPT. 3---Sept. 19-25 is National Farm Safety and Health Week.

This is the 56^th anniversary of Farm Safety Week, which promotes safety and health on our nation's farms and ranches. Safe work practices should be followed year-round.

This year's theme is Protecting Agriculture Into the Next Century.

The National Safety Council encourages all Americans to be aware of the significance agriculture plays in our lives. It also stresses the importance of safety equipment and systems and proper maintenance to prevent injuries and illnesses on farms and ranches.

Agriculture is the second most hazardous industry in the nation, reporting more than 750 deaths and 140,000 disabling injuries in 1998. Tractor overturns remain the greatest source of fatal injury on the farm. Each year, hundreds of deaths occur from overturned tractors not equipped with Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS).

"Farmers need to understand the importance of having a ROPS on their tractors and wearing their seat belts," says Terry Wilkinson, manager, agricultural division, National Safety Council. Rigid and/or foldable ROPS are available for almost all tractors built since 1970 and for many older tractors.

Young farmers under 25 and farm workers over 55 show the highest risk of injury. Wilkinson says new farm safety initiatives are successfully focusing on these workers to reduce their risk of injuries. Educational hands-on training in the agricultural environment can help prevent many injuries and illnesses on farms and ranches.

National Farm Safety and Health Week information and seasonal farm safety press releases and fact sheets are located on the National Safety Council's website

www.nsc.org, the direct link is www.nsc.org/farmsafe.htm.