As harvest season approaches, the agriculture industry is reminded of the importance of safety through National Farm Safety and Health Week (NFSHW). Running from September 15-21, 2024, this annual event is an initiative led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). With the theme “Don’t Learn Safety by Accident,” the week serves to raise awareness about the hazards faced by farmers and agricultural workers, particularly during the demanding harvest season.
The Importance of Farm Safety
According to 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, agriculture remains the most dangerous industry in the United States, with 417 fatalities recorded. Fall harvest, with its long hours and heavy machinery use, exacerbates these risks. To combat this, NFSHW aims to promote better safety practices and reduce preventable injuries and deaths in the sector. This event has been recognized annually since its inception in 1944 by the National Safety Council and has been proclaimed by every sitting U.S. president since.
Free Webinars and Daily Focus Topics
Throughout the week, NECAS will host free webinars addressing key safety concerns. These online events provide crucial information and resources to farmers, workers, and rural communities. Below is the daily schedule of topics and webinars:
- Monday, September 16: Equipment and Rural Roadway Safety
- 11 AM – 12 PM CDT: Skid Loader Safety
- 1 PM – 2 PM CDT: Sharing the Road: Agricultural Equipment and the Driving Public
- Tuesday, September 17: Health and Wellness
- 11 AM – 12 PM CDT: Noise: Bad for My Ears and Heart, Too?
- 1 PM – 2 PM CDT: Conversations on Access to Lethal Means
- Wednesday, September 18: Generations of Farming
- 11 AM – 12 PM CDT: Three-Step Process to Farm Succession Planning
- 1 PM – 2 PM CDT: Training Future Generations of Farmers through Registered Apprenticeship
- 3 PM – 4 PM CDT: Train the Trainer – No Safe Way to Vape
- Thursday, September 19: Confined Spaces
- 11 AM – 12 PM CDT: Causes of Oxygen Deficiency, Confined Space, and Toxic Fumes
- 1 PM – 2 PM CDT: Grain-Related Entrapment: Are We Focusing on the Right Problem?
- Friday, September 20: Reporting Ag Injuries
- 11 AM – 12 PM CDT: It Pays to Talk Safety in Ag
- 1 PM – 2 PM CDT: Using a Novel App Prototype to Assess Heat Stress Risk Among Outdoor Workers
Highlight on Grain Bin Safety
Grain bin accidents are a leading cause of death in agriculture. NECAS provides extensive resources on grain bin safety, including videos that demonstrate how to avoid grain entrapments and what to do in emergencies. The videos cover topics like safe entry procedures, rescue operations, and preventative measures, emphasizing that grain bin rescues should only be performed by professionals.
History of National Farm Safety and Health Week
National Farm Safety and Health Week traces its roots to 1944, initiated by the National Safety Council to promote awareness of the hazards in agriculture. It is now supported by NECAS, which plays a pivotal role in organizing and promoting events each year.
For those interested in furthering their knowledge on farm safety or attending the free webinars, the 2024 NFSHW media kit and promotional toolkit are available, providing valuable resources for promoting safety initiatives on farms across the U.S.
For more details and to register for webinars, visit the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety website.
