Keeping safety in the spotlight

In the ever-changing world of agriculture, one unfortunate fact remains consistent year after year: it’s one of the most hazardous industries in the United States, with a significantly higher fatality rate compared to others. Most of those fatal injuries were related to transportation or equipment, such as tractor overturns and roadway crashes, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Being proactive about safety can help change those statistics for the better. This preventative approach is the foundation of MFA’s behavior-based safety program, “SHIELD: Safe Habits Improve Employees’ Lives Daily,” which relies on employees throughout the company being trained to talk about safety with their fellow workers and ultimately reduce workplace accidents.

From truck drivers to office staff to personnel at feed mills and fertilizer plants, MFA employees have many conversations about safe work practices and document those discussions. In fact, more than 13,000 safety conversations were logged last year.

The company also continues to remind employees that they have very important reasons to make safety a motivator—children and other family members. That’s why MFA holds an annual Farm Safety Poster Contest to illustrate and promote positive practices on the farm and on the job. Again this year, we asked children and grandchildren of MFA employees and affiliates to share their ideas about safety. All MFA staff members were allowed to vote for their favorite poster in each class as well as choose “Best of Show” through the company’s intranet, myMFA.

We’re proud to feature this year’s top entries here in Today’s Farmer.

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