Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Charles Schwab, Iowa Farm Safety Council president, (515)
294-6360, cvschwab@iastate.edu
Laura Miller, Extension Safe Farm, (515) 294-4802, lwmiller@iastate.edu
Protecting Agriculture into the Next Century
AMES, Iowa -- Bringing Iowa's agricultural heritage into the next century starts with safety, says the leader of a statewide network of farm safety educators and volunteers.
"Safety is key because agriculture still is one of our nation's most dangerous occupations," says Charles Schwab, president of the Iowa Farm Safety Council. "In essence, our heritage hinges on the health and wellness of our farm operators and members of their families."
As president of the Iowa Farm Safety Council, Schwab represents more than 170 safety volunteers in agriculture, business, industry and the medical community. The Iowa group joins the National Safety Council to celebrate the 56th annual National Farm Safety and Health Week Sept. 19-25. The theme for this year's promotion is "Protecting Agriculture into the Next Century."
In a special ceremony at the capital, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed the proclamation for Iowa Farm Safety and Health Week. Vilsack also named Sept. 22 as Iowa Farm Safety and Health Day for Children and Youth. This year's proclamation expresses a concern for youth on the farm, farmers who continue working well into their 70s and 80s, and the efforts of volunteers and groups who have supported safety activities through the years.
Schwab said farm safety efforts began during World War II, when it became apparent that agricultural workers as well as their families were at risk for injuries, many of them preventable. The National Safety Council was charged to reduce farm injuries that interfered with the production of agricultural commodities that aided the war effort
"These injuries so troubled President Roosevelt that, with the encouragement of the National Safety Council, he signed a proclamation for the first national farm safety week in 1944," said Schwab, a professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University. "Ever since, we've had a national campaign that gathers considerable attention."
In Iowa, farm safety efforts are a unique partnership between insurance companies, equipment dealers, educators and medical professionals. Schwab estimates at least 12,000 youth learn about safety in farm safety day camps and in-school programs, which require at least 600 volunteers throughout the state every year. In addition, the Iowa Farm Safety Council has more than 4,000 schoolchildren who participate in an annual fire safety poster program.
"The high rate of fatalities on farms is second in the nation, and that's still troubling," Schwab added. "But it's reassuring to know that so many people in Iowa have worked hard to improve the safety of our farming community. I only hope that everyone continues their volunteer efforts and understand the value they add to Iowa."
Agriculture has an annual death rate of 22 per 100,000 workers, second only to mining. This is more than five times the annual death rate average over all occupations (3.8 deaths per 100,000 workers). In 1998, 780 people died and 140,000 were permanently disabled by injuries on farms and ranches in the United States. In Iowa, at least 40 fatalities and 1,600 injuries every year are agricultural-related.
Protecting Our Agricultural Heritage (30 seconds)
Agriculture still is a risky occupation, and our rural heritage depends on good health and safety practices.
The Iowa Farm Safety Council and this radio station encourage Iowa farmers to focus their attention on staying safe and healthy as they enter this season's harvest. Get plenty of rest, eat regular meals, take breaks, and make sure your equipment is ready for the busy season ahead. National and international market forces may be out of your control, but personal safety and health can be everyone's concern.
September 19th through the 25th is the 56th annual observance of National Farm Safety and Health Week. Let's make this a safe and healthy harvest.
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.