In 2007, there were 715 deaths and 800,000 disabling injuries in the U.S. attributed to agriculture, according to the National Safety Council.

The theme of this year's National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept, 21-27, is "Farm Safely: Protect Your Investment."

"It stresses the value of the safety and wellness of the agricultural producers and the importance of protecting their hearing, vision and physical abilities," Funkenbusch said.

"Unlike most workers, aging farmers tend to continue farming, which is a physically demanding job. They work long, hard hours in difficult conditions and use heavy equipment," she said.

"With aging, farmers can face faster onset of fatigue, reduced vision, slower reaction time, hearing loss and arthritis," she said. "This can lead to accidents causing death or injuries."

Workers with physical disabilities, including those with arthritis, are at particular risk of sustaining injuries during harvest season. Funkenbusch estimated that at least 30,000 Missouri farmers, ranchers and others working in agriculture have an existing disability that limits their ability to perform work-related tasks.

Funkenbusch offers several tips for these farmers:

• Have your eyes checked by a doctor regularly. Avoid driving tractors at dawn and dusk, when vision is most difficult.
• Get plenty of rest, especially during planting and harvesting seasons. Take frequent breaks to offset fatigue and stress. Periodically stretch arms and legs. This increases blood flow and helps you relax.
• Recognize and accept your limitations.
• Use extreme caution when operating equipment. Be familiar with side effects of medication, including over-the-counter drugs.
• Be sure a family member or fellow worker knows where you will be working.
• Check your fields for large rocks, tree stumps, holes and ditches. If you can't remove an obstacle, place warning flags around it.
• Use two-way radios or cell phones as a direct link should an emergency occur.

A number of MU Extension guides on farm safety are available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/agengin/.