Vol 5., No. 10, October 2004

 Contents

 

THOUGHTS & QUOTES

"Machines have no memory and no conscience…
they don’t care who you are or what they cut!”

I came across this quote as I was thumbing through safety activity files. It's an appropriate reminder for dealing with post-storm clean-up -– when chain saws are buzzing, chippers grinding, tractors cleaning trees out of ditches, etc.

It just takes a split second for something to go awry. With fatigue, post-storm frustration, and just being in a hurry to get back to normal, people may not be as alert as they should be when working around powered equipment. The average reaction time is around ½ second -– but it can be longer when a person is distracted or tired.

What can happen in a ½ second?

  • A rotating lawn mower with a speed of 52 cuts per second will have induced 26 cuts
  • A Power Take Off (PTO) at 540 rpms will have pulled a person in 3.5 ft
  • A Power Take Off (PTO) at 1000 rpms will have pulled a person in 6.5 ft
  • A 6-inch auger at 400 rpms will have entangled 5 ft
  • A tractor can overturn in 1.5 seconds

Remember, you may be quick, but machines are quicker.

So often, we hear quotes from people who have been involved in tractor overturns. For example, they say they always thought they had enough time to jump clear if they felt the tractor overturning, but when it occurred, it happened so fast they had no time to react. Thus the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE), whether it be eye protection, hearing protection, or the use of Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS) and seatbelts on tractors.

As one farm employee stated on a tractor safety video where he told how the use of the ROPS saved his life in an overturn, "…it’s nice knowing you have that protection for when you do something stupid!”

No matter how safety-conscious we may be, there is risk in everything we do. By following correct procedures, using PPE, and taking that extra second or two, we can lessen the severity of possible outcomes. Better to be able to say, “…..I’m sure glad I used that safety device” rather than saying, "…if only I had used that safety device!”

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Coping with the Aftermath of Disaster

Just a reminder about stress-related information available from the National Rural Behavioral Health Center...

Information about their new book, Triumph over Tragedy: A Community Response to Managing Trauma in Times of Disaster and Terrorism, was featured in the May 2004 issue of Safety News & Notes. Mental health professionals are reporting significant increases in stress-related calls following the Florida hurricanes. Domestic shelters are also finding an increase in the number of abuse cases, etc. So be prepared for what can be some stressful times ahead. There was a recent incident in Gainesville, Florida where a woman rammed another woman’s car in the supermarket parking lot over a parking space! Can’t help but wonder if it was post-disaster related.

The Center’s Web site is: <http://www.nrbhc.org/>.

Responders are at risk, too. People may not be aware that a person who played a key role in the rescue of Jessica McClure from a well in Midland, Texas and a person in a key role in the rescue of the Pennsylvania coal-miners (both successful rescues) committed suicide. Other rescuers involved with the Oklahoma City bombing rescue as well as with the September 11 rescue have also committed suicide. For an excellent article discussing the role of post-traumatic stress among rescuers see: <http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-09-22-legacy-usat_x.htm>. The article also notes that this stress can occur months or even years after a traumatic event.

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Log Splitters & Wood Burning Safety Tips

Now that Florida seems to be one huge pile of fallen trees, many people are seizing the opportunity to gather free firewood. This may include people who newly purchase or opt to rent log splitters. As with any other powered equipment, users should be well-informed about the safe use of log splitters. The following safety information is printed with permission of Ardisam, Inc., manufacturers of Earthquake log splitters:

Safety Instructions

  • Before operating this log splitter, carefully read the manual and follow all instructions.
  • Do not allow anyone to operate your log splitter who has not read the manual.
  • Never operate your log splitter for any other purpose than splitting wood.
  • Do not operate the log splitter under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
  • Never allow children to operate the log splitter. Keep children away from the work area. If a second person is assisting in loading logs, never activate the log splitter until the helper is clear of the work area.

Preparation

  • Dress appropriately when operating the log splitter. Always wear safety footwear. Never wear sandals, sneakers, or open shoes, and never operate the log splitter with bare feet. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry that might get caught in moving parts.
  • Always wear safety glasses while operating your log splitter. Wear proper head gear to keep hair away from moving parts.
  • Always wear a protective hearing device.
  • If you wear gloves, be sure they are tight fitting without loose cuffs or draw strings.
  • Both ends of each log should be cut as square as possible to help prevent the log from sliding out of the splitter during operation.
  • Handle fuel with care; it is highly flammable.
    • a. Use an approved fuel container.
    • b. Never add fuel to a running engine or hot engine.
    • c. Fill fuel tank outdoors with extreme care. Never fill fuel tank indoors.
    • d. Replace gasoline cap securely and clean up spilled fuel before restarting.
  • Never attempt to make any adjustments to the log splitter while the engine is running.

Operating Procedures

  • Never operate the log splitter without guards in place.
  • Only operate the log splitter from the operator zone.
  • Know how to stop the unit and disengage the controls.
  • Never place hands and/or feet between log and splitting wedge or between log and ram during forward or reverse stroke.
  • Do not step over or straddle the log splitter when the engine is running. Never reach or bend over the log splitter to pick up a log.
  • Never try to split two logs on top of each other at the same time.
  • Never allow one person to operate the valve while another is positioning the log.
  • Never attempt to load your log splitter when the ram is in motion.
  • Only use your hand to operate the control lever. Never use your foot or a rope or any other extension device.
  • Always keep fingers away from any cracks that open in the log during splitting operation.
  • Never move the log splitter while the engine is running.
  • Never leave your log splitter unattended with the engine running. Shut off the engine if you are leaving your splitter--even for a short period of time.
  • Do not run the engine in an enclosed area. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide. This odorless gas can be deadly when inhaled.
  • Do not operate your log splitter on slippery, wet, muddy, or icy surfaces.
  • Only operate your log splitter on level ground and not on a hillside.
  • Never attempt to move the log splitter over hilly or uneven terrain without a tow vehicle or adequate help.
  • Always block wheels to prevent movement of log splitter while in operation.
  • Keep work area clean. Immediately remove split wood around your log splitter so that you don’t stumble over it.
  • Always use your log splitter in daylight.

Additional areas of safety concern would be lifting and overexertion, general machine hazards, and using hydraulic systems. The following fact sheets provide safety tips on these related topics –- they are in both English and Spanish on the National Ag Safety Database Web site.

Burning of green wood or soft woods can result in increased creosote and tar deposits in the chimney and lead to chimney fires that can result in the loss of the house. A reminder to make sure the chimney is cleaned. If the fireplace has not been used for some time, it should also be inspected for cracks etc. that could lead to carbon monoxide escaping into the home. Do not burn preservative-treated wood, as it contains arsenic-based compounds.

Avoid burning any wood that may have poison ivy or poison oak vines on it. The substance that causes the rash can be active in the smoke and affect people's skin and lungs.

This site, by the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association, has excellent resource materials for fireplace safety information. They include prevention and keeping the fireplace and chimney clean. <http://hpba.org/consumer/safety.shtml#tc1>.

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Gray Market Tractors Safety Notice

Gray Market equipment is that which has been manufactured in another country and has not been approved for use in the U.S. However, third-party sellers may sell them to people in the U.S. A note of caution is that this equipment may not meet U.S. safety standards.

Employers could be in violation of safety regulations and standards if they allow employees to use this type of equipment. A complete article of one example of Gray Market tractors, excavators, wheel loaders, and carriers can be found at: <www.yanmar.com/news/grey_tractor.pdf>.

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Skid Steer Loaders

A skid steer loader is a very useful piece of equipment. However, it must be used as intended and operators must know how to use them properly. The following Fatality Assessment & Control Evaluation (FACE) reports provide case study examples of fatalities while operating skid steer loaders:

A NIOSH Alert on their safe use can be obtained at: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/skidalt.html>

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USF SafetyFlorida for Small Businesses

Funded by the State of Florida and OSHA, USF SafetyFlorida is a program of the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health. USF SafetyFlorida consultants can help your company be in compliance with OSHA safety standards, lower your cost for workers’ compensation, and decrease the number of days your employees lose to illness and injury. The service is free and confidential.

For program information and details see: <www.safetyflorida.usf.edu>.

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On-line tools for OSHA Compliance

Tools are available on-line to assist people with being in compliance. These include PowerPoint presentations, CD-ROMS, and safety topics. These are available at no charge at:
<http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/index.html#PowerPoint%20Presentations>.

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Teacher’s Guide & Resources for Teaching Lightning Safety

This page at NOAA has excellent materials that teachers can use for teaching lightning safety to their students (and parents to their kids). It includes games etc. that the kids can interact with. <http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/teachers.htm>

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Free Safety Video Clips

Over 100 video clips on various safety topics are available at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s site: <http://www.cpsc.gov/mpeg.html> topics including drowning prevention, after the storm, heating, Halloween safety, etc.

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KidsHealth Web Site

Welcome to KidsHealth! KidsHealth is the largest and most visited site on the Web providing doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use. KidsHealth has been on the Web since 1995 -- and has been accessed by over 100,000,000 visitors.

KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens, and parents -- each with its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone. There are literally thousands of in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources -- all original and all developed by experts in the health of children and teens.

The site can be accessed at: <http://kidshealth.org/kid/index.jsp>.

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SAFETY NEWS & NOTES is an e-mail newsletter prepared by Carol J. Lehtola, Extension Agricultural Safety Specialist and team leader for the Prevention and Preparedness: Agricultural Safety & Disaster Management program. 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 contact Dr. Lehtola. If you know someone interested in receiving this newsletter, we will gladly add them to the e-mail list. Past issues of Safety News & Notes are archived on the Florida AgSafe Web site.

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

Extension Disaster Education Network: http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/eden