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Friday, September 6, 2019 CapitalPress.com 7 Stayin’ alive: Agriculture safety tips from the pros Agricultural safety experts share advice on how farmers can stay safe in 2019 By SIERRA DAWN MCCLAIN Capital Press SALEM, Ore. — Many farmers consider their work rewarding, but agriculture ranks among the most dan- gerous professions in the U.S., according to the USDA. Safety experts share a few tips on how farmers can stay safe in 2019: Deadliest roads “Country roads, take me home.” But drivers, be care- ful. The roads least traveled are the nation’s deadliest, according to federal highway data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administra- tion’s most recent report reveals drivers on rural roads die at a rate 2.1 times higher per mile traveled than in urban areas. According to NHTSA, rural highways, which receive less federal money, are more likely to have out- dated designs and potholes. Wild animals dart into traf- fic more often. Rural drivers tend to drive faster. And in a crash, they’re more likely to die before getting medical help since hospitals are far- ther away. According to National Occupant Protection Use Surveys, people in rural areas also drive at higher rates without seat belts. Sixty percent of those who die in pickup trucks aren’t using a seat belt, according to NHTSA. Safety officials encour- age rural drivers to wear seat belts, watch out for wild- Capital Press File Capital Press File A tractor pulling a disc harrow is followed by motorists on a road near Meridian, Idaho. Police remind motorists to drive carefully around farm equipment. Safety signs such these can be seen around Marion County, Ore. The signs urge drivers to be aware of farm equipment and to pass with care. life, be careful on old high- ways and recognize that the “it won’t be me” men- tality won’t work when it is you. Crushing truth According to research- ers at Purdue University, more than 900 cases of grain engulfment have been reported in the U.S. in the past 50 years — with a 62% fatality rate. Entrapment happens when a person gets sucked into grain and can’t get out without help. This typically happens in silos or grain ele- vators but can also happen in freestanding piles. Jose Perez, corporate senior manager for health and safety at the Wonder- ful Co. and member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, said commu- nication is crucial. “Tell someone when you’re going into the grain area,” he said. Perez said you should also have a lifeline. “Always have a harness and lanyard when you go into a silo,” said Perez. “If you get engulfed like quick sand, having a line attached will save your life. This isn’t new. It’s just not utilized anywhere near enough.” Overheated workers One of the most serious dangers for nursery workers is heat illness, said Perez. “Pay attention to the tem- perature inside greenhouses and how that impacts peo- ple,” said Perez. “Create a good heat illness prevention program. Hydrate, hydrate.” ask for help. Please tell me when something is hard or dangerous.’ And workers need to talk with each other, too.” Keep learning The North American Agri- cultural Safety Summit, hosted by the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America, will take place March 19-20 at Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Nevada. Safety culture Perez said agricultural safety is about mindset. He said it’s important to consider the culture and background of agricultural workers. He immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, where he said he did not feel comfortable talking with managers. If an agricultural laborer comes from a hier- archical background, Perez explained, they may believe they should not bother the “boss” and should use what- ever tool they’ve got. “But ‘get-the-job-done’ culture can work against you if you’ve learned to think you shouldn’t ask for help,” said Perez. “Farm managers need to recog- nize workers’ backgrounds and tell them, ‘It’s OK to Safety19-4/106 Safety19-4/106 Safety19-4/101
