A new Missouri law that went into effect Jan. 1 will benefit the agricultural community, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension state specialist for health and safety.
Senate Bill 68, known as the “Stop the Bleed Act,” mandates that all public and charter schools in the state implement protocols for traumatic blood loss and equip their facilities with bleeding control kits.
The act requires schools to place bleeding control kits in easily accessible areas and areas deemed high-risk. At least one staff member per school must receive annual training on how to use a kit.
Having trained personnel in rural communities will increase awareness of safety on farms and in rural communities, says Funkenbusch. “Rural Missourians will benefit from an increased awareness of how to respond to a bleeding incident.”
The American College of Surgeons program teaches three ways to stop the bleed:
Using hands to apply direct pressure.
Packing a wound to control bleeding.
Applying a tourniquet.
“Medical personnel aren’t the only ones who can save lives,” says Funkenbusch. She points to increased public awareness of the Heimlich maneuver and CPR, in addition to automated external defibrillators as lifesaving methods that no longer require formal medical training.
Many times, the first person on site can save a life until medical personnel arrive at the farm or transportation is available. “The first moments are critical,” she says.
Alongside construction, agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries, according to the National Safety Council. The injury rate for Missouri’s approximately 90,000 farms – 90% of which are family-owned – is almost double the national average for all occupations, according to a survey by the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health in Omaha, Neb.
“Farmers and ranchers, their family members and others are at risk every day,” says Funkenbusch. “Rural residents also face another serious risk factor: distance from emergency medical care and trauma centers, which results in delayed treatment.”
The law provides civil liability immunity for school personnel who use the kits in good faith, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Schools are also required to inspect the kits annually and restock them after use.
This legislation aligns with a national effort to train citizens in providing immediate aid in emergencies.
MU Health Care offers free “Stop the Bleed” training for groups and companies. Email stopthebleed@health.missouri.edu for information.
Find more information about the national campaign and training at www.stopthebleed.org.
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