These efforts range from workshops and on-farm demonstrations to distributing information and safety stickers at farm service businesses. At Farm Bureau's request, many county governments have issued proclamations to draw attention to Farm Safety Week. Farm Bureau President Sam Moore is a leading proponent of farm safety programs. Our agriculture industry has a troublesome rate of accidents and most are easily preventable. One death on the farm is too many.
Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the nation.
Agriculture has a death rate of 22 per 100,000 workers and is second only to the mining industry. By comparison, the occupational death rate is 3.8 deaths per 100,000 workers, according to the National Safety Council. In Kentucky, there were 28 farm fatalities last year and 31 in 1997. Mounting concern about Kentucky's accident rate has given rise to a number of initiatives. The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center was established several years ago at the University of Kentucky with a primary focus on rural safety programs.