Agricultural injury jumped 15% in 2010. Those in agriculture typically suffer more injuries than most other professions simply because of the nature of the job. Farmers and ranchers handle pesticides and herbicides which can prove toxic if not handled correctly. Moving parts on equipment invite accidents, ATVs kill inexperienced drivers, unskilled drivers can overturn tractors or other large equipment, and dragging implements and negotiating turns can cause difficulties. People get kicked by livestock or suffer falls from horses, they overexert themselves or fall off bins or roofs. Combine this with slips and falls, strains, sprains and bruises, and one can understand why those in agriculture have a higher injury rate than other professions. Unfortunately as well, farm accidents usually happen a long way from the nearest health providers, making it vital that those who work in agriculture have at least a basic knowledge of first aid.
The Richland County Health Department has hired Mary Friesz as its new Injury Prevention Specialist/DUI Task Force coordinator. Her responsibilities include informing and educating the public on safety issues of all sorts, and she intends to include farm safety issues as part of her job responsibilities. “My focus will be in unintentional injury prevention and working with drinking age public to educate them on drinking and driving,” says Friesz. “Both safety and drinking and driving are vital to Richland County. Unintentional injury is the number 1 leading cause of death in Montana and it is the third leading cause of death in Richland County. As far as DUI is concerned, this area has one of the highest levels of blood alcohol when people are arrested for DUI. My goal is to teach people how to drink responsibly and to practice responsible alcohol consumption. I work with those who are of legal age for drinking to help everyone be safe so no one suffers.”
Friesz defines unintentional injury as any injury that causes bodily harm. This includes farm, work, home, vehicle and biking accidents. There is so much we have to focus on, and all of it is preventable,” she remarks. “Farm safety is an important issue.”
Friesz will offer a farm safety workshop on Sept. 29 starting at 9 a.m. at the Community Service Building Room 202, Sidney. The workshop will include information on farm safety for children, tractor and implement safety, rural road safety, livestock safety and the proper handling of chemicals.
Friez also plans to publish information in local newspapers on a regular basis dealing with a variety of safety issues, including farm safety, and she expects to offer workshops and training sessions on important safety issues. “We want to touch on everything and to reach all segments of the population,” she comments. “The whole point is that we want to see the community safe. I’ve been here for eighteen months now and this is my home and my future, and I want to make a difference in this community.”
Friesz invites input, assistance and feedback from the public. She also encourages people to contact her with questions or to discuss safety issues. “I am open to the public for resources and information,” Friesz says. “We are available for everyone, and I welcome visitors. People can contact me to request training or for information. As we see a need for special training, we will try to offer workshops dealing with that issue.”
Friesz has office hours from Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. People may call her at the Richland County Health Department (406-433-2207) or contact her via email at [email protected]. She also encourages people to check out the web site at http://www.richland.org/health.
“Anyone with questions or ideas can stop in or email me,” she comments. “To succeed, we need team players and partners, and we need to work with all available resources because we are here to protect and educate the public.”
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