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Farm Safety. “They <farmers> also face health and safety dangers, from exposure to chemicals and the operation of machinery to tending livestock. In 1999, the agriculture industry suffered more than 770 deaths and 150,000 disabling injuries.” - National Safety Council. Farm Buildings.
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“They <farmers> also face health and safety dangers, from exposure to chemicals and the operation of machinery to tending livestock. In 1999, the agriculture industry suffered more than 770 deaths and 150,000 disabling injuries.”- National Safety Council
Farm Buildings • Lock buildings containing hazardous materials • Working surfaces • Dry • Free of clutter • Roughened • Grooved
Farm Buildings • Good lighting • Handrails • Well ventilated • Clean
Secure Hazardous Areas! Manure pits • Can emit deadly gasses • Gasses are trapped within manure • Release when manure is agitate
Sealed Silos • Fermenting silage releases nitric oxides • Can be deadly • Cause permanent lung damage • Off limits except with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA)!!
Additional Preventive Measures • Close doors to hay lofts • Secure grain and feed silos • Never enter a grain or feed bin when unloading is in progress
Tractors are the leading cause of death on farms. Around 50% of all deaths on farms involve tractors.
Fasten seat belts! • Avoid operating near ditches and embankments • Slow down for • Turns • Crossing slopes • On slippery surfaces
Do not allow additional riders! • Children should NEVER be permitted on tractors!
Tractor Safety • Stay off steep slopes • Hitch only to appropriate hitch points • Do not tow loads too heavy for tractor • When stopped • Engage break securely • Use parking lock • Turn tractor off before leaving seat
When traveling on public roads: • Turn lights and flashers on • Display SMV sign appropriately • Keep buckets to front-loaders low to the ground
Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) • Cab or frame that provides a safe environment • Designed to prevent death or minimize injury • Are standardized • ASAE and OSHA certified • Must pass a series of crash tests • Are legally required on tractors manufactured since 1985
Retrofit older tractors with ROPS • Depends on model • Check with manufacturer • Check on cost
Too many variables Metal strength Mounting False sense of security May be worse than nothing Will not protect a driver in a rollover Never attempt a make-shift ROPS!
A seat belt always needs to be worn in conjunction with ROPS!
Why use a slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem? • It’s the law! • Warns other traffic that you are a SMV • Cautions other drivers to slow down
SMV Emblem Law • Clearly displayed rear and center • Placed point up • Lower edge at least 2 ft and not more than 6 ft above ground • Equilateral triangle • 14 inches high • Fluorescent orange • Red reflective border
Lockout The placement of a lock or a block on an energy-isolating device to prevent the operation of the machine or equipment being serviced.
Tagout Attachment of a warning tag to a switch, valve or other energy isolating device indicating that the equipment is being serviced and is inoperable until the tagout device is removed.
What is Lockout/Tagout? • Defined protocol for appropriate shut down of equipment and machinery • Prevents injury from unexpected energy release
Steps in a Lockout/Tagout Procedure • Notification that procedure is scheduled • Turn off machinery • Locate the isolating device • Check condition of locks and tags • Affix lock and tag • Attempt to restart • Ready for servicing
Power Take-off (PTO) Systems:Mechanism for transferring power between a tractor and implements
PTO Injuries • Responsible for 15 – 20% of all farming injuries • Often result in the amputation of fingers, toes or limbs
Engage Power Gradually • Start equipment from the cab • Make sure no one is near the PTO! • Never allow a child to operate a PTO!
Wear Job-Appropriate Clothing • Wear snug fitting clothes • Loose clothes can become entangled • Avoid synthetic materials • Don’t tear and pull limbs in more easily
Shields and Guards • Keep PTO shielded and guarded • Replace shields after maintenance • Test driveline guards
Disengage PTO and turn off tractor before: • Dismounting • Cleaning • Repairing • Adjusting
Additional Safety Precautions • Never step over a rotating shaft! • Always walk around the tractor! • Use driveline specific to your tractor • Prevent drawbar stress
Animal Handling About one out six farming accidents involves animals Animals are the second leading cause of injury on farms
Animal Dangers • Bites • Kicks • Pinning workers between fixed objects (buildings, machinery)
When handling animals: • Be calm and deliberate • Speak gently • Animals have sensitive hearing • Reduced depth perception • Cannot see something right behind them
Animals respond to routine • Avoid extremes • Temperature • Humidity • Lighting • Be cautious when deviating from routine!
Approaching Animals • Announce your approach • Touch an animal’s front or side • Avoid common kicking region
Use caution approaching animals that are: • Frightened • Hurt • Sick • Protecting their young
Leave yourself an “out” • Avoid small, enclosed areas • Use adequate restraining and handling facilities • Work outside chutes
Respiratory Hazards • Particulate contaminants • Dusts from silage, grains, feed • Vapors and gases • Pesticides • Oxygen deficient atmospheres • Sealed silos • Manure pits
Particulate Filters • Filter out substances harmful to lungs • Dusts from grains • Silage • Feed
Chemical Cartridges • Filters gases and vapors • Are task specific • Using the wrong cartridge could be deadly!
How can I protect my eyes while farming? • Goggles • Safety glasses with shields • Splash goggles • Face shields
Sunglasses • UV absorbent • Sturdy frames • Impact resistant lenses
Clothing • Never wear baggy clothing • Wear rubber gloves when • Applying pesticides • Assisting animal’s birth • Treating sick animals • Safety shoes/boots should have metal toe cap and be skid-resistant
Protecting yourself and your family from animal diseases Zoonoses