Safety Is No Accident

FACT: Accidents cause more deaths to young people than all other causes combined.

The 5 Major Factors in Agriculture Accidents

Tractors and Safety Accidents cause more deaths to people between ages of 15 and 24 than all other causes combined. Tractors overturning cause the most tractor- related deaths. 10 working days are lost due to each farm accident. =Loss of $$$

FACT: “Extra Riders” between the age of 1-10 account for 68% of extra rider fatalities.

What Causes Agriculture Accidents? Improper Machine Operation Environment (i.e. mud/wet conditions) Slow Reaction Time Lack of Equipment Knowledge & Training Improper Maintenance & Repair Extra Riders (89% of extra riders are under 15) Getting bored with a Repetitive Tasks Did you know it takes only takes ¾ second until a tractor reaches the critical point of no return in a rear overturn?

Let’s Think for a minute- Why is Agriculture such a hazardous Occupation? We use high-tech machinery w/ moving parts (Let’s list some moving parts…) Livestock can be unpredictable… We use Chemicals… Rushing of Tasks…

Not all jobs are considered hazardous for young people. Many tasks on farms are not considered hazardous… Loading and unloading trucks… Operating small tractors (under 20 horsepower). Picking vegetables & berries… Placing vegetables and fruits on conveyors or into boxes… Clearing brush and harvesting trees up to 6 inches in diameter… Working with animals on the farm or fairs (except breeding stock in confined areas, such as cows with newborn calves in closed box stalls, bulls, or sows with newborn piglets)… Raising and caring for poultry… Milking cows… Cleaning barns, equipment, and storage buildings… Without taking this class, students under the age of 16 are allowed to perform the following Non-hazardous tasks.

Agricultural Employee’s Rights- Safety Regulations –Fair Labor Standards Act –Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) –Workmen’s Compensation laws Training Certificate –Trainee Qualifications –Employer Responsibilities –List of Hazardous Occupations In order to help protect you from dangerous situations in agriculture, the following are in place for your safety  (Look at page 3)

Fair Labor Standards Act Since 1969, the U.S. Department of Labor has declared many agricultural tasks to be hazardous for youth younger than age 16. With certain exemptions, employment of youth under age 16 or these tasks is illegal. The law does not apply to youth younger than age 16 who are employed by their parents or legal guardians. Fair Labor Standards Act established a procedure where youth 14 and 15 years of age can be exempted from certain portions of the regulation though passing a tractor safety class. Through taking & passing this class, a 14 & 15 year old can: operate a tractor of over 20 PTO horsepower, or connect or disconnect an implement or any of its parts to or from such a tractor. “operate or assist to operate (including starting, stopping, adjusting, feeding, or any other activity involving physical contact associated with the operation) any of the following machines: (i) corn picker, cotton picker, grain combine, hay mower, forage harvester, hay baler, potato digger or mobile pea viner; (ii) feed grinder, crop dryer, forage blower, auger conveyor, or the unloading mechanism of a nongravity type self- unloading wagon or trailer; (iii)power post-hole digger, power post driver, or nonwalking rotary tiller.

Hazardous Occupations for Children Under 16 Look at Page 4: Tasks listed in items 3-11 are NOT Allowed to be performed by students under the age of 16, whether they have taken this class or not.

Certificate of Training Look in text at copy of Training Certificate. (pg. 4) Not a driver’s license.

Hazardous Occupations for Children Under 16 Working inside poorly ventilated areas Handling toxic materials Using anhydrous ammonia Handling or using explosive agents Can not: –Work from a ladder taller than 20 feet –Transport passengers

Your Employer’s Responsibilities: To have employees be well versed in safe equipment practices. To have employees be aware of dangerous situations. To train employee in safe and proper use of piece of equipment. To maintain close supervision of employee. (at least at midmorning, noon, and midafternoon) To report any accident to proper authorities. To keep training certificate on file.

Remember!!! No One is Immune to Accidents, Serious Accidents Occur in All Communities No Machine is Completely Safe but Accidents can be Prevented!

5 Min. Break…. During Break Time: Make a list of jobs or tasks you have done on the farm. Are any of them included in the list of activities prohibited by the Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture for youth younger than age 14?

Next: 6 Agricultural Equipment Safety Precautions 1. Operator Activity Precautions 2. Protective Device Precautions 3. Maintenance and Adjustment 4. Tractor Motion Precautions 5. Implement Precautions 6. Power Take OFF (PTO) Precautions

1. Operator Activity Precautions STUDY the Operator’s Manual & LEARN how to use tractor controls properly! Watch for Dangers! No Extra Riders!~ on steps, fenders, drawbar…or anywhere! Know the Controls! Put all controls in NEUTRAL before starting! Release parking brake completely! Wait for tractor to STOP before dismounting! Apply parking brake before getting off! Do Not Run Engine in Closed Spaces! Never Leave Machinery Running Unattended! Remove key!

2. Protective Device Precautions Use Warning Devices (SMV emblem, flashing lights, flags, etc) Adjust mirrors for optimum vision Carry Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit Use Seat Belts with ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) only Latch and Lock Doors if Possible

Caution vs. Warning vs. Danger

3. Maintenance and Adjustment Precautions Before Starting: –Check Coolant/Oil Levels –Add Fuel (do not overfill) –DO NOT Check for Leaks With Your Hands! –Keep Operator’s Platform Clean…

4. Tractor Motion Precautions Avoid: –Sudden Starts –Excessive Speeds –Sudden Stops –Sharp Turns When On the Road: Lock Brake Pedals to Work Simultaneously Do Not Shift Into Low Gears at High Speeds DO NOT Get Off Equipment While In Motion!

5. Implement Precautions Support Raised Implements Under Repair Add Weights if the Front Tends to Rise Never Park Hydraulic Equipment in a Raised Position

6. Power Take Off (PTO) Precautions Keep Safety Features In Place DO NOT Wear Loose Clothing Stop Engine, Let PTO Clutch Out and Let PTO Shaft COMPLETELY Stop Before: –Adjusting an Implement Hitch or Hook Up –Adjusting PTO Hook Up or Cleaning out Equipment

Questions?