Rice County Sheriff Discusses Farm Safety on AM Minnesota

This is National Farm Safety Week and Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn is the guest on AM Minnesota. We will talk about being safe in particular on rural roads during the upcoming harvest.

Faribault Fire Chief Dusty Dienst has agreed to join us Friday when we will discuss combine fires, silo and manure pit safety.

According to the National Safety Council, agriculture is the most hazardous industry in the nation.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the following factors may increase risk of injury or illness for farm workers:

• Age: Injury rates are highest among children 15 and younger and adults older than 65.
• Equipment and machinery: Most farm accidents and fatalities involve machinery. Proper machine guarding and doing equipment maintenance according to manufacturers' recommendations can help prevent accidents.
• Protective equipment: Using protective equipment, such as seat belts on tractors, and personal protective equipment (such as safety gloves, coveralls, boots, hats, aprons, goggles, face shields) could significantly reduce farming injuries.
• Medical care: Hospitals and emergency medical care are typically not as readily accessible in rural areas.