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Vol 4., No. 4, August 2003 Contents
This year's theme for National Farm Safety and Health Week is Secure Your Farming Future Through Safety and Health. This emphasizes both safety as well as security issues. Fact sheets are available at: <http://www.nsc.org/farmsafe.htm>. Farm Safety and Health Week is September 21-27, 2003. It is a good time to make that connection with your local media outlets and in Extension newsletters, etc. However, don't limit those contacts to one week a year. For safety messages to be effective, the philosophy to follow is 'keep a little bit in front of the people all the time'! Tailgate safety sessions are very good because they are 'short and simple' and directly relevant to the job currently at hand. CHAINSAW RESOURCESWe now have available materials to supplement your chainsaw safety display or program. We have chaps (new as well as a pair that have been 'bit' by the saw -- better them than the leg!); hearing protection; the ppt. slides that can be used on a poster; and a wooden portable mannequin that can be used to demo the PPE. If you are putting on a program and need the props, let me know. The ppt. can be found at: <http://www.flagsafe.ufl.edu/Publications.html> WORKING WITH STRESSA new DVD program from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes workplace factors that can create or exacerbate worker stress, and suggests practical measures for reducing job-related stress through changes in work organization. "Working With Stress" is available in DVD or VHS at no charge. The booklet, "Stress at Work" (pub. no. 99-101) can also be ordered. Order information can be found at: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/video/stressdvd1002.html> PROPER ATV USEThe statistics for injuries and deaths involving ATV's are quite alarming. Most of these occur when ATV's are used incorrectly. Most at risk are children under age 16. 38% of the fatalities between 1982 and 2001 were under 16 and nearly 1/2 of those were under the age of 12. For more of these startling statistics
and discussion of proper use of ATV's, see the Farm Journal article,
"ATVs Take a Toll" (Summer '03 issue of FJ): ANHYDROUS AMMONIA AND METH LABSIn recent years, farms with an ample supply of anhydrous ammonia have been targeted by thieves, who swipe portions of the chemical which is needed to produce methamphetamine or meth. Anhydrous ammonia may be stored in tanks that can hold up to 500 gallons, and since it only takes a gallon or two to make a large batch of meth, farmers are often unaware of their losses. Thieves tampering with the anhydrous tanks have also caused releases of anhydrous as well as ruining valves that have subsequently led to severe injuries of the farmer when they go to hook up the tank. The following are 2 articles that provide excellent information on safety and security for those who have anhydrous ammonia at their business or farm. The Fertilizer Institute has produced a brochure, "You too can work for a Drug Free America: Keep anhydrous Ammonia Safe and Secure" <http://www.radanovich.house.gov/meth/documents/fertilizermethflier.pdf> CBS News has an article related to the increase in the 'rolling meth labs' that is in trailers and vehicles traveling the highways. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/17/national/main515436.shtml> HOMELAND SECURITY FACTS AND RESOURCESFor explanations about 'what does homeland security really mean for me', visit the EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network) site. This page also includes links to agencies etc. that have credible information. <http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/eden/HomelandSecurity/default.aspx> CITIZEN CORPS (DISASTER RELATED)This is being passed along from the Red Cross chapter in Tallahassee. Capital Area Youth Disaster College - A Citizen Corps Success Story During the third week of July 2003 the Capital Area Citizen Corps conducted a week-long training opportunity for young men and women called the Capital Area Youth Disaster College. The five days were packed full of disaster education and mitigation activities, field trips, as well as disaster training opportunities. To learn more about this successful event,
visit the Capital Area Citizen SAFETY NEWS & NOTES is an e-mail newsletter prepared by Carol J. Lehtola, Extension Agricultural Safety Specialist. Design Team FL 124: Prevention and Preparedness: Agricultural Safety & Disaster Management. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, UF/IFAS. If you have safety or disaster related questions or ideas that you would like to share with other agents, please let me know. If you know someone interested in receiving this, we will gladly add them to the e-mail list.
Florida AgSafe Web site: http://www.flagsafe.ufl.edu The Disaster Handbook: http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu National Agricultural Safety Database: http://www.cdc.gov/nasd |