Also this month:
* NC A&T Cooperative
Extension to Honor Small-Scale Agriculture
* Hard Work and Faith
Drive Past Small Farmer of the Year
* NC A&T to Host Women
in Agriculture Symposium
* NC A&T School of
Agriculture Honors Pioneers
* El Niño May Mean
Profits to North Carolina Growers
Other News Links:
Press Release Archive
Cooperative Extension
Press Releases
Agricultural Research
Press Releases
General Links:
NC A&T School of Agriculture
Agricultural Communications
Mitch Arnold, news editor
|
Greensboro, NC: Farm safety doesn't need to be expensive
or complicated, says a North Carolina A&T State University researcher.
In fact, it's often more expensive not to institute proper safety methods.
"An ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure when it comes
to safety on the farm," says John Paul Owens, an instructor with the
NC A&T School of Agriculture and a survey coordinator for A&T's
Farm Safety Project. "When one compares the cost of having an accident
versus the costs of preventing an accident, it becomes clear that safety
precautions are economically sound."
Owens points out that lost farm income resulting from accidents can be
devastating, particularly for small-scale growers.
The owner's manuals, which come with farm equipment, and the labels of
pesticide containers are important first stops for safety information,
according to Owens.
"The literature that accompanies every pesticide container and most
equipment contains volumes of important safety tips," said Owens.
"Farmers should take the time to read the instructions, and then be
sure to follow them."
Owens also indicates that modern machinery comes with safety shields, which
protect operators from potential injury, and decals, which warn operators
of dangerous practices. These should not be removed or tampered with.
Keeping your machinery in good working order is also an important factor
in overall farm safety, says Owens.
Farmers should also be mindful of their clothing.
Among the suggestions offered by Owens are:
- wear safety goggles, gloves and other appropriate clothing when handling
farm chemicals.
- wear a hat, long-sleeve shirt and sunscreen when working outdoors.
- wear ear protection when working for prolonged periods with noisy machinery.
- don't wear loose or baggy clothing, which can become caught in machinery.
"Before they begin working, farmers should simply stop and ask
themselves if they've taken all of the proper precautions," said Owens.
"Investing time to learn proper procedures and perhaps investing money
to purchase proper safety equipment can go a long way toward preventing
a costly accident."
- 30 -
For more information, please contact John Paul Owens, NC A&T School
of Agriculture, (336) 334-7901.
|