There are several issues concerning

agriculture and farming safety. Tractor incidents remain the number one

cause of death in agriculture. A majority of fatal injuries to operators

are caused by tractors overturning without rollover protection and the

all-important seat belt.Also, extra riders on tractors can also become

victims. These accidents are preventable with good safety practices.

Farmers age 75 and older are

more than twice as likely to die on the job as their younger counterparts.

Much of this increased risk is related to aging and involves a decrease

in sensory abilities.

Although injuries from slips

and falls may not be as traumatic as farm machinery entanglements, they

remain the leading cause of injury among farmers and ranchers. According

to the National Safety Council, about 150,000 workers suffer disabling

injuries annually, with many caused by slips and falls in the workplace.

Collisions between farm machinery and vehicles on rural highways are a

serious problem in many states. Based on crash data compiled from various

states, the collision rate may average nearly one per day. Using well-maintained

SMV (slow-moving vehicle) emblems and appropriate lighting on farm equipment

can prevent collisions, according to Dr. Tom Bean of Ohio State University.

The National Safety Council recommends using extra care when driving on

rural highways at any time of the year.

Agriculture and U.S. rural

areas are not immune from criminal activities. Theft of livestock and

farm equipment are not uncommon.During the past decade, the theft of anhydrous

ammonia for the elicit manufacture of drugs has been an ongoing problem.

The National Safety Council recommends that farmers and ranchers increase

their vigilance as a part of our national's homeland security measures.

The advantage in a rural area is the close relationship between families

and their neighbors. Most rural residents know each other, and when a

stranger appears or an unusual activity occurs, the locals will know about

it. Neighborhood Watch has worked well in urban areas, and it will work

well in rural areas to preserve and protect our valuable agriculture resources.

South Fulton County Farm Bureau

salutes our farmers and encourages everyone, both on the farm and off,

to share in our responsibility of agricultural safety.

National Farm Safety &

Health Week is an annual promotion from the National Safety Council commemorating

the hard work, diligence, and sacrifices of our nation's farmers and ranchers.

The 2003 event marks the 60th consecutive Proclamation signed by U.S.

Presidents beginning with FDR in 1944.

For additional safety information

and information on National Farm Safety and Health Week, go to www.nsc.org/farmsafe.

htm.

To celebrate National Farm

Safety and Health Week, the South Fulton County Farm Bureau will be participating

in the Palmetto Birthday Festival Sept. 27 and also will have a booth

at the Chattahoochee Hills Country Alliance festival Sept. 27.