Tag Archives: youth

SAFETY IN THE U.S. AGRICULTURE BUSINESS

We recently published a guest article about farmers losing their lives on the job in Ireland.  Farmers all over the world have one of the most hazardous professions anywhere.  From those in third-world countries, to the ones with sophisticated equipment, there is still risk for injury and/or death in this occupation.

Farmers are at high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries; it is one of the few industries where family members often share the work and live on the premises.  Many are migrant workers who may lack training or misunderstand the seriousness of the job, through language barriers.  NIOSH was developed in 1990 to create an agricultural safety and health program.  Through intramural research and funds, programs are developed at university centers in twenty states.  Programs such as these address injuries associated with agriculture, in addition to stress, musculosketal disorders, hearing loss, and pesticide exposure. 

In 2010, the U.S. had 1,823,000 full-time workers employed in production agriculture.  In 2009, an estimated 1.03 million young persons under 20 years of age resided on farms, with about 519,000 youth performing farm work.  An estimated 230,000 youth were hired to work on farms in addition to the ones who lived on the farms in 2009. 

Four hundred seventy-six farmers and farm workers died from  work-related injuries in 2010.  Tractor overturns were the leading cause of death for those involved.  Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) are the most effective way to prevent tractor overturn deaths.  In 2006, 59 per cent of tractors used on the farms in the U.S. were equipped with ROPS. 

One hundred thirteen young persons (on average) die annually from farm-related injuries; most of these deaths happen to those age 16-19 years of age.  Sources of fatalaties were twenty-three  per cent from machinery (including tractors), nineteen percent involved motor vehicles (including ATVs), and sixteen per cent were due to drowning.

Around two hundred forty-three agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-injury.  At least five per cent of these leave permanent impairment.  In 2009, around 16,200 youth were hurt on farms; 3,400 were due to the actual farm work. 

Other risks that farmers are exposed to:

  • Getting kicked by animals;
  •  Work-related lung disease;
  • Prolonged sun exposure;
  • Skin diseases;
  • Hearing loss;
  • Certain cancers associated with chemical use.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture supports the AgrAbility program, which reached newly disabled farmers and ranchers through education, assistance, and networking with on-farm assessments and assistive technology implementation on their worksites.  NIFA farm safety efforts work to assist farmers avoid workplace hazards, help those with disabilities remain employed and ensure equal access to the agriculture profession for all workers, regardless of background or ability.

Agricultural workers benefit from these efforts by increasing their knowledge of the hazards and changes in practices in order to reduce risk of exposure to those hazards.  This helps farmers remain economically competitive and safe in an often economically and physically challenging agricultural work environment.

Some of the personal protective equipment that farmers and their employees should have are good work gloves, safety glasses or goggles, knee pads, sunscreen, face masks when using pesticides or sprays, ear plugs, and a big, wide straw hat!

We thank our farmers for providing food for our tables and wish them successful harvests  in 2014.  Please stay safe.

Sources: CDC, NIOSH, NIFA

HOW FUTURE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES CAN REFLECT THE IDEAS OF YOUTH WORLDWIDE (GUEST POST)

Glancing around the international community shows a clear reflection of the ideas of youth worldwide. In several major international industries such as technology, healthcare, fashion, music and energy, trends make clear the desires of youth: A safer, more innovative, collectively sustainable future.

  • Future international development priorities include:
  • .Sustainable green energy
  • .Potable water and Crops
  • .Global warming trends
  • . Education and healthcare 

Sustainable Green Energy
Some of the highest levels of pollution exists in major industrial producing countries. Youth in these countries endeavor to promote their priorities for sustainable green energy to protect their futures and that of future generations.

Potable Water and Crops
International development priorities into water desalinization is helping increase potable water in many parts of the world where access to clean, safe water is compromised. In addition, development priorities in sturdier, more drought and flood resistant crops for increased food supplies are constantly advancing worldwide.

Global Warming Trends
Also reflected in international development priorities are the youthful ideas of focused remediation of global warming trends. Ongoing programs monitor various areas of the world’s weather patterns and changes as a means of gauging the damage global warming is causing the planet.

Education And Healthcare
Access to education and affordable healthcare is a global priority that has the potential to become a shared worldwide conglomerate. Sharing of educational courses of study internationally has already been implemented and opens the door to global schoolrooms and educators.

Youthful ideas change daily life in radical ways. In combination with international development priorities, attitudes and social values merge into conceptualism that advance all peoples of the world. This is also true in art, history and literature. Core ideas and traditions persist in making their mark on individuals in society. For innovative youth, they become stepping stones to forward advancement into the future. As an example, literature has had the greatest impact on industrial and social development. Many of the literary ideas contained in classic science fiction are today’s useful conveniences. Present-day writers of mythical and science fiction may well produce hi-tech advancement of the future.

Mindful of ideas of contemporary youth, it would seem convention will play less a role in international development priorities of the future. A greater dimensional initiative to innovate from a base of continuing advancement appears to energize industries. This is particularly true in the computer age. The possibilities of how the ‘age of the internet’ will advance through international development priorities is already seen in cloud computing and social networking. Trends toward a common international language in brief speak, not to mention a more compatible global currency, investment stocks and trades are youthful ideas with prevailing international priorities.

Nancy Parker was a professional nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, and Babysitting, find a nanny tips etc. You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com.

APRIL IS INJURY PREVENTION MONTH

We are just about to run out of “month” before we run out of observances!  For those of us in the safety business, injury prevention is important every day!   As OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) states,  “we are all about getting to dangerous workplaces before injuries happen that can kill or injure workers.”   Employers are expected to meet the standards that OSHA has set to prevent their workers from risking life and limb. 

According to a survey from 2000, every year 50 million people are hurt severely enough to require medical treatment.  Most injuries that require medical care are preventable.  The costs from U.S. injuries in 2000 were $406 billion, $80 billion in medical treatment and $326 billion in lost productivity.  Consider what the costs were in 2010.  Falls and vehicle crashes cause approximately two-fifths of the injuries and lost productivity costs from injuries.  

The Centers for Disease Control emphasize that we must prevent injuries from happening in the first place.  One of the effective methods of keeping teen drivers safer is the Graduated Drivers’ Licensing program.  This allows high-risk teen drivers to get initial driving experience under low-risk conditions.  Studies show that in the United States, approximately 11 teens die in car crashes every day.  

Brain concussions in youth sports in the United States are a high priority concern at this time.  The nation’s first sports concussion law, the Zackery Lystedt Law, was enacted in the state of Washington in May, 2009.  Named for a young athlete who was permanently disabled after sustaining a concussion in 2006, this law requires parents and athletes to read and sign a concussion information sheet before the beginning of each sports season.  It states further that athletes participating in school sports who show signs of a concussion be removed from practice or play, and if a player is injured and removed from the game, permission from a licensed health care provider is required before the athlete is allowed to play.  This can have a huge impact on improving the safety of young athletes. 

Violence prevention and injuries such as motor vehicle crashes, homicides, domestic violence, neglect of children and drug overdoses are part of the tragedies that we hear about every day.  Many of these events that lead to injury are predictable – therefore, they are preventable, as we said earlier.  Older adults and children are most vulnerable to sustaining injury that requires medical attention.  Injuries and violence affect us all.  Research shows that three-fourths of all deaths in young people are the result of injuries and violence.   

Whatever the reason, we should all take strides to improve our safety record by paying attention to what we are doing.  In the workplace, accidents happen, and some may be unavoidable, but most are caused by inattention, carelessness or faulty equipment.  Workers have the benefit of protecting their bodies with personal protective equipment, or PPEi safety products.  The choice of the right PPE for the particular job is made by the employer.  Then it’s up to the worker to wear it correctly.  Workers can be covered from head to toe, and many jobs require it all – from steel-toed boots, coveralls, gloves, safety glasses, earplugs, to hardhats.  PPE is the last line of defense that protects workers.

We can also choose protective products for work, at home, or in the garden.  Athletes must wear equipment that keeps their bodies safe.  The rest of it is left up to each individual.  Whether driving a vehicle, playing a game, mowing the lawn, or doing our regular daily routines, we must stay safe and avoid injury.  Being hurt is no fun at all, and we miss out on things we take for granted – like going to school or work! 

Stay safe and well.

PROTECTING OUR YOUTH FROM SPORTS INJURIES

There are two important April observances that we want to focus on today.  One is Sports Eye Safety Month and the other is National Youth Sports Safety Month.  First, in the United States, around 40,000 people suffer sports-related eye injuries annually, according to the American Academy of Opthalmology.  Their recommendation is that all athletes wear appropriate, sports-specific eye protection properly fitted by an eye care professional. 

Adults are urged to choose eyewear that will protect them from injuries while they engage in sports activities.  Eye protection is available for most sports, which include baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball, water polo, golf, and basketball.  This eyewear will not affect your performance in a game; however it may save your sight.  In most children’s sports leagues, eye protection isn’t mandatory, so it is up to parents to be sure they wear eye protection.  

Because April is National Youth Sports Safety Month, we want to encourage parents to ensure the safety of their children’s choice of sports by checking out sports fields and playgrounds for hazards.  There may be glass, rocks, debris, potholes, and movable soccer goals which are not secured, that could tip over if they are climbed on.  

As many of us have had children/grandchildren involved in sports, this is too good not to share with all of you.   It’s called the  Golden Rule of Coaching

  • If athletes are coached with criticism, they learn low self-esteem.
  • If athletes are coached with hostility, they learn to fight.
  • If athletes are coached with ridicule, they learn to withdraw.
  • If athletes are coached with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
  • If athletes are coached with patience, they learn to improve.
  • If athletes are coached with encouragement, they learn confidence.
  • If athletes are coached with praise, they learn to have faith.
  • If athletes are coached with fairness, they learn justice.
  • If athletes are coached with approval, they learn positive self-esteem.
  • If athletes are coached with honesty, they learn to trust.
  • If athletes are coached with modesty, they learn teamwork.
  • If athletes are coached with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in sport. 

We’ve probably all had tough coaches and softer-hearted ones; many times the way they treat their athletes has lasting effects.  Coaches must always keep the safety of their athletes foremost.  They should never take chances that could endanger their team.  Here’s some advice for the young athletes, and is also something  for grown-ups (parents) to remember, too:

  • Have Fun!
  • Remember this is a game designed for enjoyment.
  • Do your best while having a good time!
  • Learning how to play the game is more important than winning and losing.
  • Some kids grow faster and are better coordinated than others, but everyone catches up eventually.
  • Be patient.
  • Who you are as a person does not depend on wins and losses.
  • Treat other athletes and your coaches with respect.
  • Remember, everyone is trying their hardest.
  • Honor the rules of the game.
  • Be a good sport.
  • Support your teammates, be a team player. 
  • There’s no “I” in TEAM.

The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation encourages parents to support youth safety by calling or writing letters to athletic directors, school boards, and administrators of youth sports programs.  Encourage them as well to take a leadership role in advocating coaching education.  Be sure they have an emergency plan and an immediate first responder in case of injury.  If young people are taught how to participate safely in sports, their experiences and the bonds they make with others will remain with them for a long time. 

Sources: NYSSF, NIH.GOV