This week, the third week in September, has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week since 1944. Those working in production agriculture face safety risks every day, and it is just as important now as it was 69 years ago to address those dangers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released preliminary data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report. The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry topped the list of all industries for fatal injury rate in 2012, at 21.2 fatal injuries per 100,000 full-time employees. That is not a list we want to be on top of.

The good news? The rate of fatal injuries in agricultural jobs has fallen for the second year in a row. The number of fatalities dropped 16 percent, to 475, last year. That followed a 9 percent decline in 2011. Fatal injuries in the areas of crop production, animal production, forestry and logging, and fishing were all lower in 2012.

However, even just one fatality is one too many. To improve awareness and encourage safety in agricultural occupations, the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health is urging people to recognize National Farm Safety and Health Week and work together to build a safer and healthier agricultural workplace.