WASHINGTON—When it comes to running a business in one of the most dangerous industries, preparation can save a life.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries are still the most dangerous in America. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injury reports 23.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers across all three industries in 2022, with a majority due to incidents with transportation or equipment.

“When you’ve got a lot that you’re trying to accomplish in a short amount of time, accidents happen,” noted Kim Price, farm and field underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.

For example, refastening power take-off shields on equipment can be easily overlooked when in a hurry. But devastating consequences can happen in the blink of an eye, warned Lisa Whitus, VFBMIC commercial lines underwriting manager.

“Just take a minute, put it back on, and then move on with what you’re doing—it could save your arm or life,” she advised.

PTO entanglements are among the top three causes of farm deaths, with survivors often suffering from severe and disabling injuries such as amputations, according to the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

The Northeast Center recommends checking PTO shields before each use to ensure they’re working properly.

PTO shields, rollover protection systems and required slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment are just a few life-saving items that Farm Bureau field underwriters look for when making farm safety visits to VFBMIC policyholders with farm workers’ compensation coverage.

“The first line of safety is the farmer,” Price explained. “Additionally, our field underwriting staff assist in the identification of farm safety hazards in their inspections.”

Underwriters look at farm barns; equipment and machinery; chemical storage buildings; workshops; grain bins; silos; animal handling facilities; and dairy, winery, brewery, orchard and agritourism operations. They also walk around the property and look for things like rickety ladders and unfenced manure pits, and ensure required safety guidelines like “No Smoking” and “Toxic Chemical” signs are posted accordingly.

Farmowners are encouraged to have an emergency response plan for medical and weather-related incidents for workers.

By law, any employer in Virginia with more than two employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance.

If an accident occurs, it’s crucial for employers to immediately report any workplace injuries to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Employers must report losses directly to VWCC by completing a First Report of Injury form, which can be accessed at workcomp.virginia.gov. VWCC will send a loss notice to the workers’ compensation carrier listed on the form.

Visit vafb.com/safety or AgriSafe.org for more tips on farm safety.

Media: Contact Matt Nuckols, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation safety coordinator, at 804-938-2043.