Date of News Release: Monday, November 27, 2006

Syracuse, NY, November 21st – On November 21st, New York legislators and key farming organizations will unite to tackle one of the most common causes of death in the farming community…tractor rollovers. Every year in New York state farmers are crushed to death when the tractor they are operating overturns. Nearly all of these fatalities can be prevented. In a series of news conferences around the state, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) is announcing a rebate program to help farmers purchase tractor rollover protection.

The rebate program is the result of $200,000 in funding secured by State Senators James L. Seward and Catharine Young (member and chairman of the NYS Senate Agriculture Committee respectively) and has the support of the New York Farm Bureau and the Northeast Equipment Dealers Association.

"The senate grant that Senator Young and I won in the budget will be a significant help in reducing farm-related accidents and deaths. Agriculture is still New York's top industry, and we're working to protect the lives and health of farmers. New York is lucky to have the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health leading the way in making agriculture, particularly dairy farming, safer for farm families across the

state.", said Senator James L. Seward, R-C-I/Milford, 51st District.

“This program is vital in ensuring the safety of those providing our bread and butter,” said Senator Cathy Young. “These Rollover Protection Rebates will help our farmers protect themselves from severe injury and death. Agriculture continues to be New York’s number one industry and this funding will help decrease the incidence of these tractor rollover fatalities for New York’s agricultural producers.”

According to Dr. John May, Director of NYCAMH, “This program is crucial. Rollovers have repeatedly claimed the lives of New York farmers. Without cabs or roll bars, it is difficult to see an end to these all too frequent tragedies.”

Tractor rollovers are the most frequent cause of death in the U.S. farming community and rollover rates in the Northeast are the highest in the country. In the past six months, rollover incidents have already claimed the lives of 5 New York farmers:

· In October 2006, an 82 year old Oswego County man was killed in a tractor overturn.

· In August 2006, a 60 year old Lewis County man was killed in a tractor overturn.

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· In July 2006, a 62 year old Lewis County man was killed in a tractor overturn.

· In June 2006, a 75 year old Rensselaer County man was killed in a tractor overturn.

· In May 2006, a 69 year old Lewis County man was killed in a tractor overturn.

The rebate program being announced this week has the potential to significantly reduce these tragedies in New York State. Farmers who qualify can receive a rebate of 70% of the cost (up to $600) of installing rollover protective structures on tractors lacking such protection. A toll-free hotline has been established (1-877-ROPS-R4U) to provide advice and assistance in locating the most affordable roll bar or cab, setting up an appointment for installation, and tracking rebates.

The senate funding was included in the 2006-2007 state budget.

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TRACTOR ROLLOVER STATISTICS:

· Farming is a dangerous occupation. Farming has the highest rate of work-related fatalities – eight times higher than the national average. (US Department of Labor, 2005 http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfch0004.pdf page 10).

· Tractors account for roughly half of these agricultural fatalities (New York injury data 1988-1996).

· 44% of tractor fatalities are attributed to rollovers (National Safety Council, 2001, Injury facts).

· The highest rates of tractor rollover fatalities occur in the Northeast (8.4 per 100,000 workers vs. 6.1 in the Midwest, 6.2 in the South, and 1.9 in the West) (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health data).

· ROPS are 99% effective in preventing injury and death to the operator in the event of a tractor rollover.

· More than half of New York tractors lack these protective devices.

· Almost 90% of small crop and livestock farms in New York have rollover protection on only one (or fewer) tractor on their farm.

· 80% of U.S. rollover fatalities involve experienced or very experienced tractor operators.

· Approximately 6% of rollover fatalities involve hobby farmers

· In countries such as Sweden, rollover protection is legislatively mandated and rollover fatalities are virtually non-existent.

· Many New York farmers feel that the cost of rollover protection is the largest prohibitive factor in retrofitting unprotected tractors.

CONTACT:

Julie Sorensen

New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health

Bassett Healthcare

Voice #: 1-800-343-7527

Fax #: 1-607-547-6087

e-mail: jsorensen@nycamh.com

http://www.nycamh.com