During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 21–25, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is reminding farm families that safety practices should change as children grow up and older adults age.
Daniel Andersen, an associate professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University, says farm safety should be based on each person’s age, abilities and experience.
“Safety on a family farm isn’t a one-size-fits-all,” Andersen said. “What is appropriate for a six-year-old isn’t appropriate for a teenager, and what was an easy task at 40 may not be the right task at 70.”
For children, farm responsibilities should increase gradually as they develop the skills and judgment needed to handle new tasks. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to teach children how to recognize hazards, make safe decisions and demonstrate when they are ready for additional responsibilities.
Safety considerations are also important for older farmers. Changes such as improving tractor access, installing safer ladders and updating cattle-handling facilities can help farmers remain active while adjusting to changes in strength, balance and reaction time.
“We’re pretty good at helping kids grow into new responsibilities,” Andersen said. “We sometimes aren’t as good at recognizing that we need to grow out of some responsibilities as we get older.”
The goal is not to keep family members away from the farm, but to help them continue participating in meaningful work safely.
Farm families can find additional safety information through the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach resources, including Review Family Farm Safety Rules and Keep Active Farmers Safe in Later Life.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is sharing farm safety topics throughout National Farm Safety and Health Week, which runs Sept. 21–25.
Source: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Photo Credit: Alena Mozhjer – Adobe Stock.
