Vol 6., No. 4, April 2005

 Contents

 

THOUGHTS & QUOTES

“I had no clue that was even a possibility [of tractor overturn].
I don’t think he even had a clue there were dangers like that.”

The above quote is from a widow in Michigan whose husband was killed in a tractor overturn. It is taken from a news article about three deaths due to tractor overturns. All were people who owned acreages or small farms and had full-time jobs elsewhere. Two of them were using borrowed tractors and had little experience with operating tractors. In one instance, the 32-year-old driver had tied a felled tree to the rear of the tractor with a rope, and was hauling it up a hill when the tractor flipped over to the rear. The other two were also operating older tractors (with no ROPS) and pulling brush or a tree. These also were rear overturns. One of the operators had his 2-year-old son riding with him –- he managed somehow to throw his son clear, but the operator was killed.

So, as a reminder for those hobby farmers and acreage owners, there is the publication: "Safer Tractor Operations for Home and Acreage Owners" available at:
<http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE197>. These people are often at risk because they do not know the dangers. Furthermore, many do not feel that they are ‘farming’ per se, and they tune out the ag safety messages. A tractor is a tractor is a tractor -– regardless of how it is being used, the operating principles are the same. If something is hitched above the drawbar, or if the load on the back is not countered by weights on the front of the tractor, a rear overturn can happen in as little as 1.5 seconds ("one Mississippi, two Mississip..."). The point of no return -– when the front of the tractor rises up to the point where it will not go back down –- occurs in as little as ¾ of a second ("one Mississ...")!

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May Safety Observances

  • National Electrical Safety Month

May has been designated as National Electrical Safety Month <www.electrical-safety.org>. A Farm Electrical Safety Fact Sheet is available at: <http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001501-d001600/d001521/d001521.html> and more Agricultural Electrical Safety is at :<http://www.safeelectricity.org/results.asp?ID=286>.

Just a reminder for safety around utilities -- Call Before You Dig! When doing any digging or even deep tilling, locate underground utilities by calling your utility company. Damage to underground utilities can not only be deadly, it can also be very costly. Underground utilities can include high-pressure gas, fiber optics, rural water and electricity. Also make sure that it is known if there are irrigation lines or farmstead water lines. In the case of having underground private water lines etc. on private property it is a good idea to have a schematic map of their locations kept with the farm records. In the event you are doing new burial of private lines it would also be a good recommendation to take pictures of the location.

In Florida, you can use the Sunshine State One Call telephone number, 1-800-432-4770, to have them located. (In fact, April is “Call Before you Dig Month” in Florida.) For Florida One Call materials see: <http://www.callsunshine.com/corp/new/cbyd.html>. Sunshine State One Call recommends that you call (800) 432-4770 two full business days before digging. If the One Call number has not been contacted, you can be liable for damages to equipment.

  • North American Occupational Safety & Health Week, May 1-7

May 1-7 has been designated as North American Occupational Safety & Health Week. For fact sheets and information go to <www.asse.org>.

  • National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27

May 21-27 has been designated as National Safe Boating Week. See the following Web site for press releases and information <www.safeboatingcouncil.org>.

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Spanish Dictionary of Agriculture and HR Management

This project was developed at the University of California in 2000. There had been increasing interest on the part of farm employers in learning a little Spanish, based on a desire to better communicate with their Spanish-speaking employees. The project is based on the following principles:

  • Provide tools that will help farmers learn Spanish naturally
  • Focus on learning by first listening
  • Focus on learning by repeating after native Spanish-speakers
  • Preserve the correct use of the Spanish language
  • Avoid the use of slang of "Spanglish"
  • Where several correct words are available, provide those used in México
  • Where several correct words are available, provide words of more universal usage
  • Provide a neutral sounding (audio) Spanish that avoids regional accents

The dictionary and other information is available at: <http://danr.ucop.edu/ag-labor/>.

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Farming or Gardening With Arthritis

For helpful tips to make farming with arthritis safer and also less painful, see the following Agrability Tip Sheet from Cornell:
<http://www.vet.cornell.edu/public/CUAgri/agrability/Arthritis.pdf>.

A tip sheet from Missouri explains how people with arthritis can select or modify garden tools. See <http://agebb.missouri.edu/hort/meg/archives/v6n15/meg2.htm>.

A publication “Arthritis and Agriculture: A Guide to Understanding and Living with Arthritis” has been published by the Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter and The Breaking New Ground Resource Center at Purdue University. Single copies are available free of charge by writing the Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter, 8660 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268 or call 317-879-0321.

Local Arthritis Foundation offices can provide information about doctors and support services in your area. To locate the office nearest you, check the phone book White Pages or contact the Arthritis Foundation national office at <www.arthritis.org> or 800-283-7800.

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Lawn Mowing Safety

It’s that time of year again when people dig out the lawn mowers from their layer of winter dust in the garage. For lawn mowing safety reminders see:
<http://www.age.uiuc.edu/agsafety/ms.html>.

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Resource for Safe Operation of Landscape & Outdoor Power Equipment

Deere and Company released a book, “Safety Management for Landscapers, Grounds-Care Businesses and Golf Courses” in 2003. It is part of their Compact Equipment Publication Series.

I did review this book before it was published. It is a valuable resource of safety information for landscapers, lawn and grounds care professionals and others. Please pass the information along to managers and persons involved in those professions. The book includes case study scenarios of unsafe practices that lead to injuries.

To view more information about the content of the book see: <http://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/envtsafety/education/book.html>. For more information or to purchase a copy of "Safety Management for Landscapers, Grounds-Care Businesses and Golf Courses," call John Deere Publishing at 1-800-522-7448, e-mail JohnDeerePublishing@JohnDeere.com or visit on-line at John Deere Publications (click on "Series Information" and scroll down to click on "Compact Equipment").

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Fertilizer Application Safety Tips for Homeowners

This publication by Illinois Extension has helpful safety reminders for homeowners as they ‘weed and feed’ their lawns this season: <http://www.thisland.uiuc.edu/57ways/57ways_21.html>. The publication is titled “57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment and Yourself.” It includes tips for all types of disposals including chemicals and tires.

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Equine and Equestrian Safety Articles

The December issue of the Journal of Extension contains two articles dealing with equine and equestrian safety.

“The Self-Guided Horse Facility Analysis: A Proactive Safety Education Tool for Equine Facilities” was written by Dr. Elizabeth Greene and J.F. Trott at the University of Vermont. The article examines some of the causative factors for injuries and potential solutions for helping horse people to become more safety conscious. The article is available at:
<http://www.joe.org/joe/2004december/tt5.shtml>.

“Why Should 4-H Horse and Pony Youth Wear Certified Equestrian Helmets?” by Katherine McKee and C. Brady at Purdue University provides a resource for adults to use in explaining why so many programs encourage or require helmet use. The article is available at: <http://www.joe.org/joe/2004december/tt4.shtml>.

Reminder that the activity, “Heather on Horseback” which encourages helmet usage is available at: <http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000901-d001000/d000997/9.html>. It is near the bottom of the page.

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Safety for Equipment Repair and Maintenance

Machine maintenance and repair can lead to serious injuries or deaths. Reminders for performing repair and maintenance safely can be found on the National Ag Safety Database Web site at: <http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001501-d001600/d001579/d001579.html>.

Two case study fatality reports about farmers who were killed while doing routine maintenance and repair on their equipment can be found at the following Web sites.

Another fact sheet with Agricultural Machinery Maintenance Safety Tips by Washington State University Extension can be found at: <http://spokane-county.wsu.edu/smallfarms/Farm%20Safety/01AG015%20Agricultural%20
Machinery%20Maintenance%20Safety.htm >.

Basic and general tips at a glance include:

  • Maintain tractors and other farm machinery on a regular schedule.
  • Use a machine shed with a concrete floor and proper tools nearby.
  • Routinely adjust brakes, clutches and drives, according to the manual.
  • Ensure steering, ignition, exhaust system and brakes are in top condition.
  • Stop the engine before refueling, servicing or greasing and, if possible, wait until the engine is cold before refueling.
  • Never remove or replace belts while pulleys are under power.
  • Keep steps and working platforms free of grease and oil to avoid slips and falls.
  • Carry a communication system to call for help in emergencies.
  • If the engine overheats, allow time for it to cool off before removing the radiator cap.
  • Use hardwood blocks for jacking on soil.
  • Practice proper lifting techniques.
  • Use the correct tools for the job.
  • Hydraulic lines can be under high pressure, do not check for leaks with your hands.
  • Use eye protection and other necessary personal protective equipment.

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Safety for Florida Visitors

Safety tips including sun safety, beach safety, and safety around Florida’s critters are included on a fact sheet, “Sunshine Safety: A Few Tips for Florida Guests.” It can be downloaded from the Florida AgSafe Web site at: <www.flagsafe.ufl.edu>. Look under Lehtola’s publications and then ‘Other’.

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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.