Farm Safety
Like many workplaces, farms require the use of specialized equipment. However, the close proximity of most producers’ homes to their farms can lull both adults and children into such familiarity with processes and tools they forget to exercise caution. MSU Extension specialists and agents focus on farm safety in several ways, including grain bin safety, proper storage and use of chemicals, ATV safety, and educational events for children.
The most common farm tractor and machinery related accidents result in approximately 20 fatalities annually in Mississippi. These include tractor rollover, improper use of a front loader, backwards flip of the tractor from hitching to something other than the stationary drawbar, operators and extra riders being run over, and roadway collisions.
These video clips represent a composite summary of real situations that have occurred most frequently during the past 20 years, determined by analyzing death certificates from accidents. Drowning in a farm pond is also a leading cause of farm related deaths in the state.
The following public service announcements are presented to emphasize the dangers associated with these hazards and suggest safer ways to accomplish the task at hand:
- Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Danger! Farm Machinery On Roads
- If You Smell Propane Gas
- Lighting Gas Grills
- Never Store Pesticides In Unlabeled Containers
- Tractor Safety: Avoid Rollovers
- Tractor Safety: Falling Objects
- Tractor Safety: Front Loaders
- Tractor Safety: Lifting Heavy Loads
- Tractor Safety: No Extra Rider
- Tractor Safety: Proper Hitching
- Tractor Safety: Rollover Protective Structures
- Tractor Safety: Safe Turns
- Transporting Propane Cylinders
- Water Safety
Publications
News
As farmers head out to their fields, locating underground utility lines may not be at the top of their safety checklists.
But this knowledge should be a top priority, said Leslie Woolington, a risk management specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
PITTSBORO, Miss. -- Emergency responders and farmers will learn grain bin safety practices and rescue procedures during two workshops on April 17.
The Mississippi State University Extension Service is hosting the grain bin rescue training programs at the Calhoun County Extension Office. Both programs are coordinated with the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.
Training for producers and farm laborers will be held from 2-4 p.m. Agricultural workers will learn preliminary steps to take when someone gets trapped in a grain bin.
Mississippi farmers are gearing up for the 2018 growing season, which means everyone needs to be prepared to share the road with tractors and other equipment.
Patrick Poindexter, Alcorn County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said being aware and patient can keep everyone safe.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Decorated homes and busy kitchens mark the holiday season for many families, but this time of year also brings an increased number of safety hazards.
Decor and cooking fires increase during the holidays, causing numerous deaths and injuries, as well as millions of dollars in property damage. Between 2009 and 2013, U.S. fire departments responded to about 1,070 home fires a year started by holiday decorations, including Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
COWART, Miss. -- Mississippi farmers can safely get rid of unusable agricultural chemicals and old tires during a free disposal event on Feb. 24 in Tallahatchie County.
Event organizers will accept insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and other pesticide products at the Cowart Gin Yard and Tallahatchie Farmers Supply located at 3990 Tippo Road between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
No rinsates, household waste pesticides or products in bulk containers will be accepted.
Success Stories
They met in 2010 because of a tragic rough-terrain forklift fatality. Tredrick Johnson was the safety manager at the Cleveland branch of Quality Steel Corporation, and Billy Chandler was the local safety-compliance officer for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA.