About NECAS
We have been helping to keep farms safe since 1944
That's when we encouraged President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the first National
Farm Safety Week proclamation, bringing national attention to the hazards and risks
of farm work. National Farm Safety and Health Week has been recognized by Presidential
Proclamation from every President since then.
Engineering advancements were developed by tractor and other equipment manufacturers.
These advancements do reduce injuries - but only when they're used. Nearly half
of all tractors in the U.S. are older models without rollover protective structures
(ROPS). Many operators of tractors with ROPS don't use the seatbelt. Power take-off
guarding is often removed during maintenance and not replaced. Slow-moving vehicle
emblems fade over time.
Education and training picks up where engineering leaves off
For years, we helped raise awareness of safety issues in rural communities. Then,
we piloted a single course at Northeast Iowa Community College in 1994. This partnership
was so well received, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed legislation providing
$1 million to construct a farm safety training center. And in 1997, National Education
Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) opened its doors to the farming community.
We're extending our reach by developing partnerships with colleges and other educational
centers across the country. We work closely with agribusiness personnel, other organizations
and agencies that share our goals. We're exploring new routes to bring our safety
and health message home to rural communities. We also plan to partner and share
our knowledge with our neighbors in Canada and other countries.
View the NECAS brochure (pdf;
958kb)
