Just like gardeners and homeowners, farmers try to keep weeds out of their fields. They also face potential workplace hazards, just like every other industry.
In advance of National Farm Safety and Health Week September 15-21, the second annual Farm Safety Field Day, organized by the Columbia County Corn Growers and co-sponsored by Didion and Alcivia, gave farmers best practices for a variety of farm-related topics, including proper respiratory, eye and ear protection; combine safety and cleanout; fire hazards; and emergency action planning.
Experts in crop and soil science, agricultural engineering, equipment specialists, and emergency management spoke to the group of about 40 at the Arlington Agricultural Research Center.
Dan Smith, program manager for the Nutrient and Pest Management program told attendees, “There are potential risks farmers face, but there are also precautions they can take to minimize those risks.”
Smith showed examples of the gold standard for personal protection equipment. He also fielded questions about invasive weeds and how to manage and ultimately prevent them from spreading.
The team also discussed proper combine cleanout and then headed inside for discussions about workplace safety and how to work with emergency personnel if something were to happen out in the field.
Thanks to the farmers for taking time out of their day to continue to learn and for their dedication to helping feed the world and to guest speakers for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Together, we make a difference.
