Rural Health & Safety

Work in production agriculture remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States.  Over 700 farmers and ranchers die in work-related accidents each year.  In addition, a number of children are killed secondary to agricultural activities.  In the state of Nebraska an average of 24 people are killed on farms and ranches every year according to David Morgan, UNL Cooperative Extension Safety Specialist.  The majority of these deaths occur secondary to tractor overturns, machinery trauma, animal handling, traffic accidents and grain suffocation.

Production agriculture is also associated with a variety of health hazards that cause preventable medical illnesses.  These health problems include respiratory illnesses, hearing loss, certain cancers, skin problems, infectious diseases and osteoarthritis.