Farming accident can and do happen. Pictured here Farmer Anthony Flanagan who lost a leg in a combine harvester accident (source: Image: HSA via Youtube ).
Farming ranks among the most dangerous occupations in the country for adult and adolescent workers.
Each year around 300 deaths of children in farm accidents are being reported.
The total childhood farm injury toll has been estimated at greater than 100 000 annually…
For the most part almost all these so-called “accidents” are preventable in nature.
This idea that “it can’t happen to me or my kid” is what they all say before something happens.
Unfortunately, by that time it is too late at that point.
Now the government comes along and proposed certain revisions in federal agriculture work rules that effectively bars teens younger than 16 years of age from engaging in traditional chores (for pay). Initial reactions from farmers in Kansas, as you can imagine is very negative. This is due in part, to how the issue is being framed in the press by powerful lobbying organizations like the American Farm Bureau, which is basically saying that this is an attack on agriculture and people who farm.
The intent is not to attack farmers or destroy their way of life so much as it is to try and prevent children from being hurt or killed in so-called “accidents” on the farm.
If enacted the revisions should dramatically reduce the number of children deaths and injuries being reported now in agriculture.
I do not know what will ultimately come of this revision in federal agriculture work rules, from what I understand it is “under review” by the Labor Department and being opposed by powerful members of Congress including Senator Jerry Moran and others. What I do know is that the intention of the proposed revisions of the law is noble in nature, namely trying to protect children.
Not anyone’s children – they are trying to protect “your children”.
I am speaking directly to farmers of course.