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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor 
3Statistics shows the agriculture sector is one of the most 
4dangerous in the United States; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Each year, the farming profession sees over 500 
6fatalities nationwide; and
 
7    WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 
8there are 23 work-related deaths per 100,000 workers in the 
9agricultural industry; this is 7 times higher than the 
10national average for workers; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Additional injuries and deaths stem from grain 
12storage facilities, which can be especially risky; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Farm safety extends to members of the public as 
14well; while sharing the road with farm vehicles, visibility is 
15key to safety on the roads; drivers should remember that farm 
16vehicle operators have limited visibility to the rear, and 
17anyone passing such a vehicle should use extreme caution; and
 
18    WHEREAS, It is important to bring awareness not only to 
19the physical dangers of farming but to the emotional toll it 
20takes on the farming community as well; while we highlight 
 
 
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1confined spaces safety, roadway safety, and other traditional 
2farming hazards, it is also important to encourage farmers to 
3take care of their own health; and
 
4    WHEREAS, As we enter the farming season, it is more 
5important than ever to follow best practices to safeguard 
6farmers and farm workers; now is the time to remind employers 
7and farm workers to put safety first; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
9HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
10we declare September 21 through September 25, 2026 as Farm 
11Safety Week in the State of Illinois.