The 2017 Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) Week will be celebrated            March 5-11.  The theme for the week is “Get Out of My Space†and will highlight a different “space†safety focus each day of that week.

• Monday, March 6 – Confined Space (Grain Bin, Manure Pit)
• Tuesday, March 7 – Animal Space (Large Animals)
• Wednesday, March 8 – Equipment Operator Space (Kids and Equipment)
• Thursday, March 9 – Electrical Space (Power Lines)
• Friday, march 10 – Driver Space (Road Safety)

Agriculture ranks among the most dangerous industries. Over an eight-year period, 5,816 agricultural workers died from work-related injuries in the United States. Even more startling, 38 children are injured every day on U.S. farms. Tractors are the leading cause of deaths on the farm

“We need to make safety a priority on our farms,†said Peggy Romba, who manages the safety program for Illinois Farm Bureau. “Agriculture is one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation. It’s no surprise that almost every farmer personally knows of a family who has lost a loved one in a farm mishap, not to mention the injuries that cause loss of fingers, hands, arms and legs.â€

Romba reminds us that spring planting will soon be underway. “That means tractors will be started, plows attached, and long days of hard work are ahead.â€

Tune in to RFD Radio Network during Ag Safety Week to hear interviews on a variety of subjects with safety experts.

The Agricultural Safety Awareness Program is coordinated by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). Farm Bureaus across Illinois take part in this special week by providing information about farm safety. To learn more, contact your county Farm Bureau or fb.org.