(NMB) The latest data from the bureau of labor statistics indicates that the agriculture sector is still the most dangerous in America. Montana is among the states with the highest fatality rate in the industry. For those reasons, this week is National Farm Safety and Health Week. Dana Jansen Director of ag safety for the Montana Farm Bureau says agriculture accidents aren’t if, but when.
“It’s not really if, it’s when and how badly. So, really what we’re trying to do is focus on minimizing the frequency and severity of these incidents.”
Agriculture accidents can happen anytime, but Jansen says there are two seasons that see the most.
“We see a lot of incidents during harvest just because there is so many moving pieces and there’s so much work to get done in such a short amount of time. And then you know this time of year with fall cattle work as people are getting their cows off the mountains or out of some summer pasture, pregnancy checking and weening and doing all the things that need done, fall is without a doubt one of the more dangerous times in the industry.”
During National Farm Safety and health week, there are daily webinars hosted by Agri-safe. They are all free and can be watched at your convenience. You can also find resources available on over 40 tasks that are completed in the Ag industry highlighting some of the main safety information.
The fatal injury rate for the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector in Montana was 43.5 per 100,00 full time equivalent workers in 2023.
