September 23, 2020 – With harvest season beginning, the Illinois Department of Agriculture is reminding farmworkers to stay safe. The third week of September is recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. Governor Pritzker made the proclamation that the week of September 20-26, 2020 would be National Farm Safety and Health Week in Illinois. The theme is “Every Farmer Counts.” Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the agricultural sector is the most dangerous in the country. The farming profession sees 574 fatalities each year, which equates to 23 deaths per 100,000 workers.
“Dedicating a week each year to highlight farm safety, especially around the busy time of harvest will hopefully bring awareness and save lives,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Farmers don’t often dedicate time to their own safety and health. It is especially important during these unprecedented times for our farming industry to focus on their mental health.”
