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Vol 5., No. 11, November-December 2004 THOUGHTS & QUOTES
'Livestock Safety for Kids' Video on NASDAn 11-minute video about kids and safety around large animals is available for viewing on the National Ag Safety Database at: The video was produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. It is geared towards kids not used to being around large animals. Included are examples of what to do if visiting a farm (such as an elementary school field trip), seeing animals at fairs, etc. This would be good for use by programs like Ag in the Classroom where children may come in contact with large animals. It would also be good to use in 4-H programs. The Spanish version will be available on NASD in the near future. Field and Machinery FiresWhen working with dry materials, such as during harvest times, fire is a very real danger. Dry materials are easily ignited when they come into contact with hot machinery parts. Not only is it possible for the machine to be destroyed quickly, but also the surrounding field area can be a source of fuel for a fire soon out of control. The following sites offer tips for preventing machinery fires. The first site from Iowa Farmer Today includes a picture of a burned combine.
Plant Biosecurity Course on EDENEDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network) has completed a Plant Biosecurity Management Course, which is on-line and and ready for use. The course is designed to improve a person’s knowledge of plant biosecurity. This course will enable Extension professionals to teach agricultural producers, workers, and others involved in the U.S. agricultural sector how to:
As an interactive, on-line course, it provides a user with ready-to-use presentations, applied activities, and handouts for producer workshops and/or community awareness presentations. You do not have to complete the course to have access to the educational resources. However, you are encouraged to have selected faculty and staff complete the course. (Note to Florida readers: When persons in Florida complete the course and receive a certificate of completion, please notify Carol Lehtola (cjlehtola@ifas.ufl.edu). It will help pre-identify individuals who are plant biosecurity-ready in the state.) The course can be accessed at the EDEN Web site: <www.agctr.lsu.edu/eden>. OSHA’s Information for Emergency Personnel"Worker safety and health is a critical element of our nation's domestic preparedness and emergency response efforts” according to OSHA. Information has been developed to assist with safety trainings for emergency response personnel. A special page on the OSHA Web site provides links to Emergency Preparedness and Response materials for emergency response personnel. One "e-tool" is designed to provide basic information about the Incident Command System and the Unified Command, specifically as it relates to the National Contingency Plan 40 CFR.300. Other topics include: First Responders; Second Responders; Skilled Support Personnel; Training and Education; and Safety and Health Guides. <http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/index.html> Horse Farrier’s Tips on Holding HorsesHelen J. Hansen, a horse farrier herself, has written this page to address how to hold your horse safely for your farrier, in a way that keeps you, your farrier, and your horse safe. There are several excellent tips provided. <http://www.hiddencoast.com/horse/articles/holdhorse.htm> Acreage Living – Hobby FarmsThe number of hobby farms continues to grow. The most recent Ag Census shows that hobby farms comprise 59.3% of total farms in the U.S. By their definition, a hobby farm is a farm that makes under $10,000 per year. Iowa State University has a Web site with a bi-monthly newsletter targeted to those who live on acreages or have hobby farms. Articles at this site often include safety issues. For example, the Oct-Nov issue includes an article about understanding liability issues when raising livestock. <http://www.extension.iastate.edu/acreage/> Florida AgSafe has a publication for this audience, Safer Tractor Operations for Home and Acreage Owners, which can be found at: <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE197>. Hobby Farms magazine is a publication for the hobby farmer. Articles in this magazine frequently feature safety information for animal handling and machinery. Information about this publication can be found at: <http://www.hobbyfarmsmagazine.com/hf/>. In addition, the IMBY (In My Back Yard) Safety Hazard Hunt PowerPoint presentation, found at <http://www.flagsafe.ufl.edu/imby/index.html#imby-workbook>, is also designed for acreage owners and hobby farmers. Safety PresentationsThis NASA Web site has several safety presentations on-line that they have developed for their employees. It offers a variety of topics, Check it out and highlight ones that apply to your workplace. <https://msfcsma3.msfc.nasa.gov/dbwebs/apps/sswp/documents/safety_topics.asp> NIOSH Guide for Selecting Non-Powered Hand ToolsGUIDE TO SELECTING NON-POWERED
HAND TOOLS PROVIDES RESOURCE FOR AVOIDING MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
“Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools,” DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-164, is available on the NIOSH Web site at: <www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-164/default.html> or by calling the NIOSH toll-free information number, 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674). For additional NIOSH findings and recommendations for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, visit the NIOSH Web site at <www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/>. Reminder for Fire Safety during the HolidaysU.S. Fire Administration's
Holiday Fire Prevention page: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Holiday Decoration Safety Tips: <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/611.html> U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Fireworks Safety Publications (English and Spanish): <http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/holpubs.html> Additional Fire Prevention Tips include: 1. Countertop appliances can be surprisingly hazardous. If cords are allowed to hang or tangle, blenders, toasters and such can be inadvertently pulled off the counter and, in the case of deep-fat fryers, cause serious injury. 2. Irons not only cause fires, they cause injuries. "Irons are a heavy appliance and most household incidents occur when they fall on people, children more often than not," says John Drengenberg of Underwriters Laboratories. "They should be unplugged and put away when not in use." 3. Space heaters cause roughly 10 percent of residential fires. "Give space heaters space," says Capt. Ronel Brown, spokesman for Louisville (Ky.) Fire and Rescue. "Make sure you place them at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn -- and never use them to dry damp clothes or anything else." Because they use liquid fuel, kerosene space heaters can be especially dangerous. Never refuel a kerosene heater indoors or while it's hot. 4. Candles are increasingly
popular, and candle-related fires have increased accordingly. 5. Fireplaces should be checked by a professional for cracks in the chimney flue and excessive buildup of creosote, a combustible waste product of wood fires. Never use paper or unseasoned wood in a fireplace. 6. Clothes dryers cause more fires than any other appliance or power tool, resulting in 10 deaths and $84 million in property damage in an average year. The main problem: Lint buildup in the exhaust hose causes the dryer to overheat. Clean the lint trap after every load. Vacuum out the exhaust hose once a year. If your hose is made of ribbed vinyl, replace it with aluminum pipe that won't kink or catch fire. 7. Smoke alarms cut your chance of dying in a house fire by half. There are three types, but only one detects both smoke and flames in a timely fashion. Ionization alarms excel at detecting fast-flaming fires caused by paper or flammable liquids. Photoelectric alarms are best at detecting smoke, like that produced in slow-starting fires in bedding and upholstery. Consumer Reports recommends hybrid units that use both technologies, such as the First Alert Dual Sensor SA302 (about $30). Install one smoke alarm on each floor. Avoid placing them in corners or near windows, doors or air vents. Replace batteries once a year. 8. Escape ladders ($27 to $40) should be placed near a window of any bedroom above ground level. 9. Fire extinguishers ($10 to $20) are recommended for the kitchen, laundry room and garage. Make sure your extinguisher has an ABC rating, meaning it can fight fires caused by paper, wood, cloth, flammable liquids and electrical short circuits. [top]
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