News

Iowa farmer shares his farm accident story

A cattle farmer in Southwest Iowa is one of the first to spread ag safety awareness through the “Telling the Story” Project.

Rick Friday was changing a lightbulb in his barn on a 10-foot step ladder. When he reached the top, the ladder began to shake. He fell to the ground, breaking two ribs and spraining his wrist.

“And as I laid there, I looked at the sign that was on the top of the ladder and it read ‘Danger, do not stand on top step’. I know that if my wife would have been there, I would have never stepped on the top step of the ladder. That’s kind of the idea of my story; if you weren’t working by yourself, you wouldn’t take some of the risks that you take.”

The accident kept him out of farm work for two months and his injuries still bother him. Friday says accidents are not comfortable to talk about, but it is important to share so others can learn.

“We had a neighbor who had lost an eye to a pitchfork and I always remember that every time I pick up a pitchfork. So, I am hoping that every time somebody gets on a ladder I can remind them of what happened to me.”

Friday is a storyteller for the national “Telling the Story” project launched by a group of Midwest ag safety centers last month.

To read more stories or share your own, visit the project website.