Important to promote safety procedures on farms

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Women have the capability to be the voice of reason when it comes to safety in the agricultural industry.

“We should put more focus on resolving that we don’t have to be one of the most dangerous industries,” said Rodney Knittel, associate director of transportation and infrastructure for Illinois Farm Bureau.

“Accidents are going to happen, but almost every accident is preventable,” said Knittel during a presentation at the Women in Agriculture Conference organized by IFB at Bally’s Quad Cities in Rock Island.

Knittel’s entire career has been focused around agriculture, starting as a high school agriculture teacher.

“I had males and females in class and the males would get the assignment and do things as quick as they possibly could to get onto the next project,” Knittel said.

“The young ladies would take their time,” he said. “In 18 years of teaching, I don’t recall one time that I did first aid for a young lady in ag class.”

Knittel also worked as a compliance and safety manager for a biosolid application company.

“I was the voice of reason for about 50 people and I was responsible to try to reduce workforce accidents,” he said. “That job really opened my eyes.”

Since every farm and business is different and every individual that works there is different, Knittel said, it is important to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses.

“The hardest part is sitting down with the stakeholders to have a conversation,” he said. “The talks aren’t easy and it’s going to take time to get 100% buy-in.”

Sometimes it is best to start with something simple like wearing seat belts, Knittel said.

“If you’re going to mow roadsides or waterways or spray a field with terraces, put your seat belt on,” he said. “That’s something simple, but it can save lives.”

Knittel highlighted several safety tips for farming operations.

Regular maintenance and inspections of ATVs and UTVs is important, as well as proper use of these machines.

“I know of seven deaths because of ATV and UTV accidents last year,” Knittel said. “Six of those seven were kids under the age of 16.”

All young people need proper training for driving tractors and operating farm equipment.

“Because dad and mom can do it, we think our sons and daughters should be able to go and do it, too,” Knittel said. “But we have to train them.”

Safety protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, face masks and ear plugs should be placed in all farm shops.

“If we don’t have the box of safety glasses or rubber gloves readily available, we’re not going to use them,” Knittel said.

“We have to stop going into grain bins by ourselves, without harnesses on,” he said. “We all know someone who has lost someone and it’s tough, but there’s no reason for those deaths.”

If there are two people and they use safety harnesses when going into a grain bin, Knittel said, that will eliminate about 99.5% of the accidents.

“And by doing tag-out and lock-out when someone goes in a bin, that will take care of the rest,” he said.

“Educate visitors about farm risks and install proper signs for hazards,” he advised. “We have to put up signs in the shop, such as wearing safety eyewear in this area.”

Regular breaks help to prevent fatigue-related accidents.

“I know this is a tough one,” Knittel said. “But I want us to start thinking about if supper and spending time with the kids is more important or if there are things that can be done tomorrow or the next day.”

All those working on the farm need to know where to go during emergencies, how to handle emergencies and how to communicate directions to the farm site.

“Farmers need a support network and resource for stress management,” Knittel said.

“You have the ability and the superpower, whether you believe it or not,” he told the women at the conference. “I ask you to use your voice of reason to help us become better about safety in agriculture.”