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Farmers need to use caution
RICHMOND - A new report from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that nationwide, 14 percent fewer farmers involved in crop production died in 2006 than in 2005.
In Virginia, farm fatalities have spiked.
According to the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2006 report released Aug. 9, the rate of fatal injuries in crop production nationwide declined form 38.2 per 100,000 workers in 2005 to 33 per 100,000 workers in 2006. The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting fatalities category ranked as the third most deadly occupation last year, preceded only by construction and by transportation and warehousing.
Eighteen fatalities have occurred on Virginia farms since Jan. 1, compare to a total 11 in 2006. That's according to unofficial statistics collected by the Virginia Farm Bureau safety program. The loss of four family members and a farm employee in Rockingham County in July is a major factor in that increase; all five succumbed after exposure to toxic gas.
But that's no reason to ease up on safety precautions, said Jimmy Maass, Farm Bureau's safety coordinator. "Farmers need to make sure you have the proper markings, such as slow-moving vehicle signs or reflective tape on your equipment, to make sure the general population can see it moving down the road. And definitely use flashing yellow lights if you have them on your equipment," Maass said.
Because combines and harvesters frequently are wider than one travel lane on a rural road, Maass recommends farmers use escort vehicles with strobe lights when moving from field to field. And automobile drivers need to slow down and be watching for farm equipment during their morning and evening commutes.
Maass also warned that dry weather, hot machinery and dusty work conditions raise the risk of fires. Farmers should always have a charged extinguisher rated for all types of fires on their equipment.
"And be sure to check all your power take-off guards and shields before starting your work, to make sure they're intact and working. If you need to do any adjustments, always shut down the engine first. Never try to work while the engine is still idling," he added.
Finally, all tractor users should have a working rollover protective structure on their equipment and use seat belts even on flat areas. "I've already seen people this year on small consumer tractors cutting grass on a slope with the folddown bar in the down position," Maass said. "In that position, the first thing between a tractor and the ground in a rollover is your head, and not the bar."
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