According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, a farmer is 800% more likely to die while working than people in other jobs. About one-third of all farm accidents involve children.
Hazards include tractor rollovers, grain bins, manure pits, fire, toxic gases and more. Training and using safety equipment are two top ways to reduce the danger.
Emily Krekelberg, University of Minnesota Extension educator, delivered farm safety education to nearly 1,000 people in 2022 and has plans to grow her work with 4-H youth who live on farms or visit farms, as well as with immigrants and others who are new to farming in the U.S.
Krekelberg knows all too well the dangers of farm work. Her father lost a leg at age 19 and her brother lost an arm at age 16. Listen to the story on Extension’s The Moos Room podcast, episode 84. The Moos Room podcast has several more episodes focused on safety.
“When I deliver farm safety programs to youth and adults, my family’s story gets their attention right away,” she says. “And then I can focus on education that can save someone’s life or limb.”
Handling livestock with care — and caution
Everyone involved in animal production needs to take livestock handling seriously.
Dr. Joe Armstrong, Extension cattle production systems educator, says many of the concepts he teaches can apply to other animals besides cattle. They apply to everyone from farm youth to experienced operators, workers, transporters and veterinarians.
“I don’t really care how strong you think you are — that cow is stronger every time,” Armstrong tells viewers in a livestock safety webinar. “Some of our bigger pigs are incredibly strong, even some of our sheep and goats.”
Source: umn.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-grafvision
Categories: Minnesota, General, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety