Tag Archives: farm safety

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Hearing Protection, Respiratory Safety

NATIONAL FARM SAFETY WEEK, SEPTEMBER 18 – 24

An important September observance in the United States is National Farm Safety Week, sponsored by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety.  Working in the agricultural field ranks among the most hazardous industries in our country.  Farmers and family members who work side by side are at high risk for fatal and non-fatal injuries.  Most farmers have made their living by working the soil generation after generation.  They are aware of the hazards their occupation presents.  Accidents happen, though, and we want to share with you some of the things that might happen on a farm or ranch. 

Every day, approximately 243 agricultural workers suffer lost-time injuries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH).  Young people are particularly susceptible to injury, if precautions are not taken.  Many young persons are injured by machinery (including tractors) and motor vehicles (including ATV’s).  

  • PTO’s (power take-off) devices are extremely dangerous to workers, especially children.  These are pieces of farm equipment, such as augers, that are attached to tractors.  They rotate at 540 to 1,000 revolutions per minute.  Loose clothing could get caught in one of these, and there is simply no time to get out of this situation without serious injury.  
  • Tractors should be equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS.)  There should not be extra riders on tractors or other farm equipment.  The person driving the tractor should always use handholds and care when getting on or off the tractor; slips and falls cause injuries.  A friend of ours who has farmed all of his life fell off his tractor one day, breaking his collarbone.  
  • ATV’s are very popular on farms and ranches; they are designed for a single rider.  There is a risk of overturn when riding an ATV.  Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating machinery, such as a helmet when riding an ATV. 
  • Animals present certain obstacles, as most farmers and ranchers will tell you.  Avoid quick movements and loud noises when working with animals.  One should know their characteristics.  Movement in an animal’s blind spots may startle it.  Be sure there is a quick escape if you go inside an animal pen.  The same goes for having a good escape route when working with animals in close quarters, such as chutes and stalls. 
  • Hired farm workers should be aware of farm safety; they should have training and direct communication to ensure that they understand what they are expected to do.  Direct supervision when they are performing dangerous duties, particularly when the worker is new to the job.  Be sure there are no language barriers limiting the effectiveness of training or supervision. 

There are many other obstacles included in farm work.  Pesticide exposure could cause pulmonary disease.  Hearing loss from operating loud equipment over a long period of time, stress, and musculoskeletal disorders may result from this occupation.  The use of personal protective equipment is important when working outdoors.  Safety sunglasses, good work gloves, and respirators for working in dry, dusty environments are just part of the necessary protective measures to use. One never knows when that first aid kit will be needed, either. 

As always, we salute those who work in the agricultural field.  Without them, we’d be pretty hungry!  We wish for safety for all of them; and empathize with those who have lost their crops this year due to drought, flooding, wildfires, or other natural disasters.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

THERE’S MUCH TO APPRECIATE ABOUT OUR FARMERS AND RANCHERS!

There’s nothing like the view of a beautiful farm that stretches out among rolling hills.  (I always think I’d hate to have to mow all that land!)  But there’s much more behind those peaceful scenes.  Farming and ranching are on the list of America’s most dangerous jobs.  The consensus is that farmers and ranchers perform their routines in the same way, every day, every year, they sometimes become complacent about hazards that exist.  Bureau of Labor statistics show that on a per capita basis, out of every 100,000 workers, 38 die annually.

The family farm/ranch offers the opportunity to work out in the fresh air, keep the hours you wish (usually sunup to sundown), and often involves the entire family doing their share of work.  Children may be vulnerable to certain risks on a farm, such as playing around unattended equipment, ponds or tanks, or handling tasks that are not age-appropriate.  It’s recommended that the farmer/rancher check out any hazards that exist around the farm that could cause injury to youngsters or themselves.

It’s hard to list every danger that farmers/ranchers face, but here are just a few:

  • Injuries from equipment: augers, mowers, tractors, combines, grinders, balers;
  • Chemicals;
  • Sun exposure;
  • Heat and cold stress;
  • Hearing loss from equipment noise;
  • Livestock;
  • Gun accidents;
  • Storage bin accidents.

Farm animals that produce wool, eggs, milk and meat are considered livestock; they are not pets.  Although farmers and ranchers work with livestock every day and understand their temperaments, visitors, especially those with children, should be aware that even baby animals can kick or bite, and watch out for Momma!  (I learned my lesson when I tried to hold a cute little baby pig – he squealed, and here she came, Hell Bent for Leather!)

There are eleven uniform hand signals that The American Society of Agricultural Engineers recommends that farm families, employees and visitors should know in order to better communicate with each other.  Many times workers are far apart or there’s so much noise, it’s hard to hear each other.  Workers should be educated in first aid and know what to do to respond to an accident.  It is very important that the correct safety equipment is used, according to the risks involved: weather, pesticides, drills, sharp objects, grinders, etc.

We salute our farmers and ranchers for their hard work and dedication to furnishing America’s food and much more.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

FARM SAFETY MONTH

September is Farm Safety Month, so what better time than to review just one of the things that our farmers and ranchers have to worry about: pests!  In their fight against pests, they must use pesticides, running the risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals.

Pesticides help our agriculture industry through the EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) Integrated Pest Management system.  In agricultural settings, their approach is to:
(1)    Use bio-pesticides, which are less risky.
(2)    Decide when the pest is an economic threat.
(3)    Determine what type of pesticide is needed.
(4)    Try rotating crops.
(5)    Use broadcast spraying of a non-specific pesticide as a last resort.

New EPA safety requirements are meant to protect agricultural workers against pesticides used in crop fields.  Since soil fumigants are restricted-use pesticides, only specially trained personnel can apply and oversee these types of operations, which involves injecting pesticides into the soil to create a gas that kills several types of soil-borne pests in the fields.  This type of pesticide can cause health problems ranging from eye or respiratory irritation to more severe and irreversible effects.

All workers on farms need to use caution when applying pesticides:

  • Read labels on pesticide containers.
  • Handle pesticides in well-ventilated areas, and on calm days.
  • Never store pesticides in food or drink containers.
  • Don’t mix pesticides or drain sprayer near pond, stream, or well.
  • Obey restrictions at entries and watch for warning signs.
  • Wear appropriate PPE, i.e., goggles/wrap-around safety glasses, gloves, respirators, etc.

Pest control is just one of the many problems that our agriculture industry copes with as they produce the nation’s food.  Keeping farm workers safe from the effects of pesticides is foremost.

USDA
EPA