Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern, Maci Carter, is visiting with the outreach specialist for the National Farm Medicine Center, Melissa Ploekelman, about prioritizing safety on the farm.
The National Farm Medicine Center is located in Central Wisconsin, and researches incidents and fatalities that occur on farms and how to prevent them.
“After we do that research, we give resources back to farmers,” Ploekelman said.
Statistically, Ploekelman said 33 children sustain serious injuries on farms every day.
“We just need to make sure we are supervising them when they are out on the farm,” Ploekelman said. “We also know that children learn a lot when they are on the farm, and they learn all about animals, and how life works, and they learn a good work ethic, so it is important for us to let our youth grow up on the farm. We just have to make sure that we supervise them when they are out there.”
Ploekelman said resources can be found at https://cultivatesafety.org/ to help farmers cultivate safety on the farm.
“Maybe we say, at 16 years old, they can drive a skid steer on a farm, but are they really ready to do that,” Ploekelman said. “It is important that we make sure that task is appropriate for not only the age of the child, but also the ability level of the child.”
Aside from accidents and injuries that can occur on the farm, Ploekelman also talked about fatigue.
“Fatigue is a new topic that the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and House Center is talking about, and they have some really great resources,” Ploekelman said. “Some things that they remind us of are that you are actually supposed to get up at the same time every day. Farmers maybe do that already when they have animals to care for.”
Getting enough sunlight throughout the day can also help individuals feel less fatigued, Ploekelman added. The most important factor to prevent working fatigue, Ploekelman said, is to talk to family and employees about the risks of doing so.
“Working when you are fatigued can be equivalent to working under the influence so that it can be very dangerous,” Ploekelman said. “It is not only dangerous to the worker, but to the people around them, and also to all of the equipment on the farm.”
Ploekelman said signs of fatigue can include brain fog, not feeling as quick-witted, or dozing off.
“When you start to notice these signs early on, some things that you can do are to stop, take a break, get a drink of water, and do some stretching,” Ploekelman said. “Be honest with yourself and those around you.”
