Dangerous Occupations "Farming"

[unbidden]

This below linked article is in my local paper today and apparently has been and is in many papers across the U.S. today. It's a quick interesting read.

The most dangerous jobs you?d think would be safe | MassCOSH

 

[Bison]

There is no substitute for common sense.
Sadly enough common sense is most uncommon these days.

There is no cure for stupidity,no matter what job one does.
Farmers often work alone so a mistake can be fatal.
Learn and live or die trying

 

[Mace Canute]

Having grown up on a farm, I've seen what a lot of farmers were like and I suspect a lot of them are still like that. I remember one time when we bought a new combine. First thing the step-father's older brother wanted to do was remove a bunch of shields! From the operators position, you couldn't see anything better with them removed or not so removing them was useless but he had it in his head that it was necessary. Another thing with farmers is some do a lot of things with no real understanding of physics or cause and effect, then when something goes wrong, it's "Why did that happen!?" They often sacrifice speed for safety too, even when they do know better. That's when their "Safety Program" depends on sheer blind luck rather than good planning. They also have little training other than what they learn from their dads...and if dad wasn't a safe worker, chances are the son isn't going to be one either. It's no wonder their safety record sucks when compared to other occupations.

 

[Soundguy]

and then there are the oops! accidents that just get all of us on the farm.

I've had my left wrist in a brace for 2 weeks, and now right thumb in a splint for 10 days after trying to cut it off.

slipped bry bar on former, and sheet metal on the latter....

soundguy

 

[SPYDERLK]

and then there are the oops! accidents that just get all of us on the farm.

I've had my left wrist in a brace for 2 weeks, and now right thumb in a splint for 10 days after trying to cut it off.

slipped bry bar on former, and sheet metal on the latter....

soundguy

Know what you mean. Wished you were wearing leather?
larry

 

[looknlearn]

Belts are also dangerous. I am normally careful but the other day a turned the pulley on the front of my tractor with gloves on and it kicked, caught my glove and pulled my fingers into the belt. One finger broke then the belt popped off.
Accidents happen(though I could have easily avoided mine) and even though you think you are being careful, when you are often around old, unshielded machinery it's easy to get to comfortable.

 

[ultrarunner]

Everyone growing up on a farm knows at least one neighbor killed or badly maimed by a farming accident.

The next farm over from my Grandparents lost their eldest son age 16 when a large flat belt came off the tractor and hit him square on the head.

My Grandfather lost most of his hand at age 85 in a wood splitter accident.

Others injured by livestock, rollovers or getting caught in machinery...

When Mom was a child... two neighbors died of asphyxiation when one went into the cesspool because the pump stop working and didn't come out and his brother went into get him... they both died.

Another part is farming is often solitary... no one around to help if needed...

Three months ago, I attended the funeral of my friends Father... he raised wine grapes here in California and somehow the tractor ran over him... crawled all the way back to the farm house and died several months later... perfect health, enjoyed life and one accident was all it took.

Much of what farmers do alone on the farm would be a citable offense if an employer required an employee to work alone under potentially dangerous conditions.

 

[Soundguy]

Know what you mean. Wished you were wearing leather?
larry

the pry bar qoulda got me either way.. but yeah.. i WISH I had been wearing gloves handling that sheet metal.. FOR SURE!

soundguy

 

[jonlouie]

Don't forget safety equipment even on your own place

 

[bigbull338]

ill just say it most farm accadents arnt caused by being dumb.there caused by doing something dangerious with the pto running that most farmers have done 100 times.example people stepping over pto shafts.theres things weve all done that wasnt safe or smart but yet weve done them.my bad habit is working alone.if something happened no 1 would know it till they thought it was time for me tobe in.