AFBF Emphasizing Safety During ASAP Week

Farm Bureaus across the nation are marking this as Agricultural Safety Awareness Program Week. Now through the 10^th, growers are reminded the importance of keep themselves and their workers safe on the farm. Jeff Lutz with the Washington state Farm Bureau said local farmers typically do well when it comes to employee safety, but they don’t always heed their own advice.

“They take it seriously, but they’ll be willing to take the risk. They are risk takers anyway, they may be willing to take the risk [with their own body]. And that’s why this focus at the national level is “No One Can Take Your Place”.”

And under that theme, each day this week has a specific focus:

Monday, March 5^th – hearing
Tuesday, March 6^th – respiratory
Wednesday, March 7^th – distracted and impaired driving
Thursday, March 8^th – fire
Friday, March 9^th – general health

The AFBF will offer webinars this week to offer assistance to farmers looking to improve their overall safety. Lutz says farmers should always look to the Farm Bureau for help to ensure their operation is as safe as possible.

“They can think to themselves, OK, I get help with my finances and I get help with my crop inputs, with my crop protection products and my nutrient products, and I get help with all of that, and I get help with warehousing and I get help with labor, they should reach out and ask for help with safety and health as well.”

To learn more about ASAP Week, visit the Farm Bureau's Website.

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