Farm safety week emphasizes ‘working together’

Washington – OSHA is supporting the efforts of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in promoting National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 15-21.

This year’s theme of the annual event is “Working Together for Safety in Agriculture.”

In 2012, the fatality rate for agriculture workers was 21.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers – the highest of any industry, according to OSHA.

Some conditions associated with farm work include work-related lung disease, noise-induced hearing loss and skin diseases from chemical use, the agency states. Also, workers at grain handling facilities face many risks, including engulfment, falls and electrocution hazards.