Farm Bureaus across the country are making safety a top priority this spring through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP). As a part of ASAP, March 4-10 has been designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week.

This year’s theme, “No One Can Take Your Place,” will highlight a different safety focus each day of the week. Monday will focus on General/Mental Health; Tuesday, Fire Safety; Wednesday, Impaired Driving (drunk and distracted); Thursday, Hearing Protection; and Friday, Respiratory Safety.

When the latest statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other organizations are examined, it’s easy to see why the awareness of safety in these areas is important.

• In 2014, there were over 16,000 deaths in Arkansas due to heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. 
• In 2014, about 115,000 adults aged 18 or older had serious mental illness within the prior year to being surveyed.
• In 2017, 32 home fire fatalities were reported by the news in Arkansas.
• In 2014, 44 percent of driving fatalities in Arkansas were alcohol or drug related.
• The National Safety Council estimates that 27 percent of all crashes involve cell phone use.
• In 2015, 401 farmers and farm workers died from a work-related injury.
• Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury.

“This year’s theme, No One Can Take Your Place, was chosen because farmers fill such important roles in their communities, businesses and families, and it’s critical that they take time to ensure their safety and good health,” said Jason Kaufman, education coordinator for Arkansas Farm Bureau.

Arkansas Farm Bureau has two full-time education coordinators on staff who offer five different safety and informational programs free of charge to schools and civic groups.

“Farm Bureau is concerned with saving lives and preventing injuries,” said education coordinator Amanda Williams. “And we at Arkansas Farm Bureau are dedicated to educating Arkansans about safety concerns through courses such as Farm/Tractor Safety, ATV Safety, Distracted Driving Prevention, and Drinking and Driving Prevention.”

Get more informationa and find helpful materials and images to share during Ag Safety Awareness Week.

Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.

For more information, contact:

Steve Eddington
(501) 228-1383
steve.eddington@arfb.com

 or

Keith Sutton
(501) 228-1274
keith.sutton@arfb.com