FARMING ON `DANGEROUS OCCUPATION' LIST

Farming ranks near the top of the "most dangerous occupations" list.

Last year, U.S. agricultural-related work accidents resulted in 1,300 deaths and 120,000 disabling injuries, according to the National Safety Council.

"That's an increase over the year before when agriculture ranked right behind mining as most dangerous occupation," said David Baker, extension safety specialist at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Agriculture's death rate is among the highest of major industries and more than four times the all-industry average, noted Baker.

"This is harvest season," said Baker. "It's especially important that equipment be up to snuff. That means that guards should be in places, roll-over bars should be on tractors, and anyone who plans to use equipment should be trained to do so.

"That also means that you should have you slow-moving emblems in place and have lights working property," said Baker.

He added that the most common accidents area tractor roll-overs and where extra riders area riding on tractors or other equipment.

"We lose 35 to 45 farmers every year in Missouri from tractor overturns, highway crashes with farm machinery, machinery entanglement, chainsaw accidents and electrocutions on the farm," said Baker.

"Following good safety practices should be a round-the-clock part of everyday farm life for the whole family," he said.

Studies from a 35-state survey on farm accidents show that seven of every 10 farm accidents will include a male member of the family between the ages 15 to 44, and two of the to will involved a hired male hand.

"This means that one of every 10 accidents will involve a farm female," said Carl Patterson, information specialists for the Perry County Extension office, who revealed some of the statistics from the survey.

Other findings show that 41 of every 100 farm accidents occur on a farm ranging in size from 200 to 499 acres, with 20 of 100 accidents on larger farms, 500 to 999 acres.

July and October are the two most dangerous months on the farm. A total of 15.9 percent of annual farm accidents occur in July, and 13.5 percent happen in October. June is third on the list at 12.3 percent of the accidents.

Other findings:

Farm accidents are most likely to happen in a field in daylight when the temperature is 51 to 85 degrees on a clear day.

Hay balers cause more fatalities than any other equipment; corn pickers cause more permanent injuries.

Field work accounts for four of every 10 farm accidents, and machinery maintenance another three of every 10.

More accidents happen on Tuesday, with the two most dangerous hours at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.