Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1006706
22 Sugar Producer AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 My childhood playground was the farm. I'm lucky enough to say I was never involved in a truck or tractor rolling over, mower rolling into the ditch, appendages stuck in an auger or falling into the grain bin. However, I easily could have been. My dad, however, is missing the tip of a finger; the combine managed to keep that little piece of him. It is a constant reminder of how easily you can forget about farm safety when you get comfortable with your duties. Today, as the CEO of Agrasure, I'm still lucky enough to say I have a farm- related playground. What brings me to the pages in front of you today are farmers, their employees' safety and how workers' compensation coverage works to keep everyone physically and financially sound. The "ugly truths" we discuss here may sound like a scare tactic in trying to get you to run out and buy workers' compensation insurance. On the contrary, I am simply trying to bring awareness to an insurance protection that is often overlooked and thought of as unnecessary or too expensive. It is completely up to you to evaluate your situation and decide if you are comfortable with your current risk level. Each state has its own workers' compensation laws. This article will focus only on Minnesota's statutes. For information on other states' regulations, please contact your local farm insurance agent. Ugly Truth 1 (The ugliest truth of all) Until you need it—and don't have it— you don't realize the risk you assumed. Some farms are lucky enough to never have an injury; most are not. In 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Minnesota recorded 92 work- related fatal injuries in all industries. Of these, the agriculture industry came in first by accounting for 23 of those fatalities and the construction industry second with 15. Who would think that working on the farm could have more fatalities than the construction industry? The most common incident types resulting in fatalities are transportation, slips or falls, harmful substance exposure and intentional violence by a person or animal. In 2016, incidences of injury that do not result in death are showing an average of 6 incidents per 100 employees. These incidents range from a particle of dust in an eye to anything short of death. Ugly Truth 2 Workers' compensation is easily overlooked as necessary or mandatory as part of a farm liability package. With farm employee wages increasing annually, more and more farms are reaching the annual payroll levels that mandate having a workers' compensation policy. Take the numbers to your insurance agent and verify you have appropriate protection in place. Ugly Truth 3 Minnesota—and many states—have some exceptions specific to farmers regarding workers' compensation coverage, and it can be confusing. The Minnesota statute may say you aren't required to carry it, or that your liability coverage may be enough to avoid penalty; however, is that really in your best interest? These ugly truths lead to some big questions, so let's discuss a few of these further: Workers' compensation, family farms and employee injuries By Amy Nesemeier CEO, Agrasure Insurance