SPRINGTIME MEANS PLANTING SEEDS OF A SAFE CROPPING SEASON

Madison - As farmers prepare for planting this spring, they also need to prepare for a safe cropping season.

"Decisions made and actions taken in spring can make a huge difference all year long in the safety and health of farmers, their family members, and their employees," said Mark Purschwitz, agricultural safety and health specialist for University of Wisconsin-Extension.

This year, Purchwitz said, it may be especially important for farm families to take time to create a safe work environment.

"Farmers are always under a certain amount of stress, but this year many of them may be facing even more pressures and stresses than usual," Purschwitz explained. The combined impact of an uncertain national economy, low milk prices and high costs for gas and fertilizer mean economic difficulties, he said. Add the stress of the state budget crisis and its effects on towns and villages, plus military action abroad, and the sum of stresses facing farmers may significantly increase the dangers of farming, one of the nation's most hazardous occupations.

"It's not enough to remind people to be careful, to make sure they get enough rest and take frequent breaks," Purschwitz warned. "People are going to continue to work when they are overtired or distracted. The best way to guard against injuries is to eliminate or minimize as many of the hazards as possible."

Here are some of the precautions Purschwitz recommends:

-- Machines should be inspected to see that all guards and shields are in place. It is much better to spend money now to repair or replace safety components than put it off until later. In the rush of planting or harvest it is less likely to get done, and those stressful times of the year are the peak times for injury.

-- Lighting and safety markings should be checked, repaired or upgraded prior to moving machinery on public roads, said Purschwitz. "Roadway travel has liability as well as safety implications. Slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems may be faded. Flashers and other lights, which worked last fall, may not work now, for various reasons. Perhaps you intended to fix or upgrade your lighting and marking and never got around to it."

-- Other maintenance should be performed to be sure your equipment is in peak operating condition. Not only does this allow you to do a better job, and save downtime in the field, it helps prevent injury. "The safest place for a tractor operator is in the seat", said Purschwitz. "Every time an operator has to get off and fix a problem with a machine, there is increased exposure to machine hazards, any chemicals that might be on board, or even getting run over." Breakdowns also cause stress and irritation, increasing the chances of an injury.

-- Personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, goggles, dust or chemical respirators, or whatever else is needed, should be included with purchases of seed, chemicals, or other supplies. Chemical labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide important information. PPE is important in the shop as well, as you get your machines ready for spring and use various tools and procedures.

-- Farm families need to discuss what chores, if any children will be allowed to do this year. Children will have grown mentally and physically, and educated decisions need to be made before allowing them to take on jobs with more hazards.

Farming is a dangerous business, with 29 Wisconsin farm-related fatalities in 2001 and an estimated 15,400 farm work-related injuries.