Vol 6., No. 7, July 2005

 Contents

 

THOUGHTS & QUOTES

Wow! These are great ideas I can take home and use in my classroom!"

The above comment was heard again and again during a recent 2-day workshop conducted for middle and high school ag teachers that was held here at UF. Twenty-three teachers from around the state attended the "Incorporating Safety Into the Ag Education Classroom" workshop. Attendees got to experience first hand activities and exercises that students can do in the classroom. These included finding a classroom while visually impaired; performing tasks while in a wheelchair; and with the use of one-hand having to apply chunky peanut butter to a slice of bread - then tear plastic wrap off the roll and wrap it around the sandwich. Participants were introduced to the Safety Family of PAPA, MAMA, and KID. (See explanantion below). Teachers were provided with several resources they will be able to use. The workshop's "Table of Contents" is posted on the Florida AgSafe Web site under "Florida AgSafe Publications" (look for "Course Materials" on the Publications page). The contents page includes information for downloading resources.

See the August 2004 issue of Safety News & Notes for links to various items that would be useful for teachers.

Tailgate Safety Training materials (which make an excellent teaching piece including quiz questions) are on the National Ag Safety Database. See http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/menu/state/ohio.html for a complete listing of topics.

The "Hort" Module -- Awareness of Risks and Attitudes towards Safety and Health in Horticulture can be accessed at the Florida AgSafe Web site (look under "Florida AgSafe Publications").

Lesson Plans for an Agricultural Safety Week contains a sample plan for a week of safety in the classroom. It is also at the Florida AgSafe Web site (look under "Florida AgSafe Publications").

There are now several videos that can be viewed on NASD in their entirety. See <http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/menu/video/video2.html> for the current listing. The "Livestock Safety for Kids" video is designed for kids who may not have had any experience around farm animals. This is good for those that may be going to visit a farm for "Ag in the Classroom" types of programs. Be watching for "Be Safe and Sound, Says Safety Hound" which will be added to NASD soon. Developed by University of Vermont Extension, it too addresses the issue of children visiting farms -- whether individually or as a part of a class field trip.

At the workshop, we displayed our Safety Family -- a set of mannequins that help explain safety concepts. Let me introduce you to them:

PAPA (Proper Attire for Pesticide Applications) is dressed in PPE and can be used in an activity where students have to read a pesticide label and find out the required PPE and then identify it from PAPA. (note: originally PAPA was for Protection Against Pesticide Accidents - however, we discourage the use of the term accident since it implies nothing can be done, thus no need for change!).

MAMA (Machinery Applications and Mechanical Actions) stresses the risk we put ourselves in when we take shortcuts while working around machinery. She knows that "'machines have no memory and no conscience" -- they don't care who you are or what they cut!

The Safety KID (Keep Injuries Down) is dressed with a Farm Safety Guardian shirt and wears "No Rider" stickers that he can put on the tractors.

Together they wear the SAF-T-KAP for safe and successful farming. SAF-T-KAP is "Safety Awareness for Everyone - Through Knowledge, Attitude and Practice."

Signage you can use for your own Safety Family is posted on the Florida AgSafe Web site (look under "Florida AgSafe Publications").

[top]

Heat Stress

Now that we are working and playing in the summer heat, the following articles offer reminders for heat-related safety.

PowerPoint presentations are available on the Safety PowerPoint Presentation Library Web site of Vermont Safety Information Resources, Inc.

[top]

Back to School Reminders

Many schools will start up within the next few weeks. So, it is a good idea to take a few minutes to check over back-to-school safety tips.

While driving, be alert for buses and kids -- especially the first couple of weeks when everyone is getting used to the new schedules and travel routines.

Use the checklist provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to avoid hidden hazards: <http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/btsimage.html>.

[top]

Filling Sandbags

Many people ask about how to prepare sandbags. Detailed facts about preparing, using, and disposing of sandbags are available on the Web:

Sandbags are heavy, and care should be exercised when lifting or moving them. Realize they will be heavier when wet.

In an emergency, sandbags can be made using old pillowcases, grocery bags or even tights filled with sand or earth.

When the flood is over, remove the sandbags, which are rotting and still in place.

Also, sandbags are most likely to be contaminated with sewage, pollution, riverbank seepage, etc. These sandbags cannot just be dumped in the local landfill, but should be treated as hazardous waste materials. Contact your local public health authority or waste disposal utility. Rotting sandbags can be extremely harmful for the environment, including wildlife, as they cause silting.

Sand bags usually last for only one year, and deteriorate after repeated wetting and drying.

[top]

Chocking & Blocking to Secure Equipment

Chocking or blocking is done to prevent unwanted movement of equipment or materials. Injuries can occur if truck, tractor or equipment wheels are not properly chocked when loading, unloading, hitching or unhitching equipment.

To be able to secure a vehicle or piece of equipment using the proper chock and block method: <http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001601-d001700/d001676/d001676.html>.

The Web site of the Farm Employers Labor Service in California has a fact sheet about proper chocking and blocking that includes diagrams.

[top]

Home Repair Safety

Trying to do a home fix-up, remodel, or repair project? Be sure to check out the safety information that relates to the task(s) you are doing. The Omaha Chapter of the National Safety Council has a general fact sheet at: <http://www.safenebraska.org/SafeLiving/SafetyTips/HomeRepairSafety.php>.

[top]

Thinking about a Safe Room?

A colleague of ours is building a new home and was looking for plans to include a safe room. The best time to add a safe room is during consturction, but you can make a safe room in an existing home.

FEMA offers plans for safe room solutions at: <http://www.fema.gov/mit/saferoom/>.

[top]

Agrochemicals and Security: A Training Module for the Safe and Secure Storage of Pesticides and Fertilizers

The new security environment has prompted the farm community to re-examine how the chemicals that are part of its daily work are handled. Agricultural chemicals have already been used in two of the most significant terrorist incidents in the U.S., the World Trade Center Bombing of 1993 and the Oklahoma City Bombing of 1995. Also, an agricultural fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, has become the target of drug manufacturers for the production of methamphetamine. This has become a significant law enforcement issue throughout the U.S., but especially in the Midwest, with its combination of ready access to numerous ammonia tanks and remote locations.

Agrochemicals and Security includes six units that cover the following topics:

  • Unit 1: Introduction: Agrochemicals and Security — Why It Matters
  • Unit 2: Chemicals and Safety
  • Unit 3: Homeland Security and Fertilizers
  • Unit 4: Homeland Security and Pesticides
  • Unit 5: Security and Anhydrous Ammonia
  • Unit 6: Developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan

Units can be used separately or in combinations depending on audience needs. Each unit consists of:

  • A narrative which gives background material
  • A PowerPoint presentation which parallels the narrative
  • Pre- and post-tests, and an evaluation
  • Table-top exercises (selected units)

Materials can be accessed by going to the Disaster Handbook Web site and checking under "Other Disaster Related Products."

[top]

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

The Disaster Handbook

National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD)

Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)

Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART)