Agricultural Hazards

1. Set 3 Agricultural Hazards Marissa Morton SAAIP Top Jobs Intern

2. Mechanical Hazards • Pinch Point—Hazard that is formed when two machine parts move together and at least one of the parts moves in a circle • Wrap Point—Any type of rotating machine component • Shear Point—when the edges of two machine parts move across or close enough to each other to cut a relatively soft material

3. Mechanical Hazards • Crush Points—formed when two objects are moving toward each other, or when one object is moving toward a stationary object, and the gap between the two is decreasing • Pull-In Points—parts that come close with each other, such as feed rolls, often form pull-in points. • Burn Points—Hot mufflers, engine blocks, pipes, and fluids (fuel, oils, chemicals)

4. Mechanical Hazards • Freewheeling Parts—parts of a machine continue moving after the power to the machine is turned off. • Stored Energy—energy that is confined is released unexpectedly. • Thrown Object—occurs as normal machine operations discharge materials into the surrounding environment.

5. Noise Hazards • Noise is measured in decibels. • Examples: • 15 Decibels = A Whisper • 50 Decibels = Gentle Breeze • 60 Decibels = Normal Talk Level • 90 Decibels = Chopping Silage • 100 Decibels = Tractor at work • 140 Decibels = Shotgun Blast or Jet Engine • Sound loss starts occurring at about 85 Decibels http://store.drumbum.com/media/ear-plugs-protection-sign.jpg

6. Respiratory Hazards • Dusts—solid particles (0.1-25 microns in size) created by handling, crushing, grinding, and moving materials such as rock, metal, wood, and crops. • Mists—Liquid droplets suspended in the air represent mists as a respiration hazard (example: paint sprays and cutting oil). • Fumes—Material that becomes airborne during welding (metal welding rod and flux) are examples of fumes.

7. Gases and Vapors • Common gases and vapors include those from: • Manure Gases • Farm Shop Gases • Silo Gases • Welding Vapors • Engine Vapors • Solvents and Paint Thinners

8. Lung Disease and Asthma • Farmer’s Lung—Allergic reaction caused by inhaling moldy hay, straw, and grain. • Organic Dust Toxicity Syndrome (ODTS)—caused by a reaction to inhaling molds from spoiling grain and forage. • Asthma—Disease of the respiratory system. The small air tubes in the lungs tend to swell and air tubes tighten when an asthma attack occurs.

9. Working With Livestock • Youth under age 16 are prohibited from working in a yard, pen, or stall with: • Cows with newborn calves • Bulls, boars, or stud horses kept for breeding purposes • Sows with nursing pigs • Be aware of “Flight Zones” • Flight zones are animals personal space. An excited animal has a larger flight zone.

10. Working with Livestock • Precautions to Take: • Plan an escape route • Wear steel-toed shoes • Avoid animals hind legs • Use squeeze clutches to hold animals • Approach livestock so that animals can see you coming • Move cattle in well lit places • Avoid loud noises and quick movements • Be patient • Keep animal handling facilities clear of sharp objects • Ask for help when moving animals if the animal is excited or nervous • If the animal is nervous, wait 30 minutes before moving the animal

11. Point of Balance • An animal’s point of balance is the shoulder • If you stand behind the shoulder, the animal will move forward. • When you stand in front of the shoulder, the animal will stop moving forward http://www.grandin.com/gifs/vicky-flyzone2.jpg

12. Agricultural Pesticides • There are four ways that chemical exposure can occur: • Oral (mouth) • Dermal (skin) • Inhalation (lungs) • Ocular (eyes)

13. Electrical Hazards • Two types of hazards: • Electric Shock Hazard • Heat and Fire Hazard • Electrical Devices Used • Distribution Panel • Underwriters Laboratories • Switches and Receptacles

14. Electrical Hazards • Circuit Breakers and Fuses • Grounding • Lock-Outs • Hostile Farm Conditions • Extension Cords • Underground Utilities http://www.ndswebservices.com/images/SmallCord.jpg

15. Key Terms in Fire Safety • Auto-Ignition • Combustible • Flammable/Nonflammable • Flash Point • Kindling Point/Ignition Point • Spontaneous Combustion • Vapors • Volatility

16. The Fire Triangle • There are three things necessary to start a fire: • Fuel • Heat • Air http://ehs.sc.edu/training/Fire/triangle.gif

17. Fire Prevention and Control • Work-Site Analysis • Maintenance and Housekeeping • Fire Prevention and Control Training

18. Using a Fire Extinguisher • 4 Step process called PASS • Pull the Pin • Aim at the base of the fire • Squeeze the trigger • Sweep from side to side http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/productImages/8/1/00000117781-FirstAlertFE3A40FireExtinguisher-large.jpeg

19. Preventing Hay Fires • Harvest Practices—mow in early morning • Conditioning Practices—less than 50% humidity • Bailing Practices—18-20% moisture • Storage Practices—store hay under cover http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Round_hay_bale_at_dawn02.jpg

20. What is a Confined Space? • OSHA defines confined spaces as: • Space large enough and so configured that a person can enter and perform assigned work. • Space limited in openings for entry and exit purposes • Space lacking natural ventilation • Space that could contain or produce dangerous contaminants • Space not intended for continuous human occupancy Youth under age 16 PROHIBITED from working in a confined space!

21. Silo Safety Guidelines • Stay out of newly filled silos for at least 2 weeks—use breathing apparatus if you must enter • Close feed room door to barn • If silo must be entered • Run Ventilation fan • Get help from an adult • Wear dust mask

22. Plugged Equipment—Safety Tips • Disengage power to the machine • Turn off tractor engine • Wait for free-wheeling blower fan blades to come to a complete stop • DO NOT use your hands and feet to unplug a machine!

23. Grain Bin Safety http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/safety/ae1102-4.gif http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/figures/00001027.gif http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001601-d001700/d001611/1611fig01.jpg

24. Manure Storage • Hazardous Manure Gases: • Hydrogen Sulfide • Ammonia • Carbon Dioxide • Methane Manure Gases Can Kill!

25. Manure Storage Precautions • Keep people and animals out of confinement buildings during manure storage agitation and pumping • Ventilate the area for several hours • Allow one to two feet of air space above manure surface for gases • Prohibit smoking and other ignition sources • Keep manure agitators below liquid manure’s surface • Remove temporary access ladders • Lock access to permanent ladders • Do not drive on crusted manure surfaces • Warn visitors and guests of hazards • Post signs at manure storage areas

26. Anhydrous Ammonia • System Components Include: • Nurse/Delivery Tank • Control Valves (for withdrawal, fill, pressure relief, and return lines) • Pressure Gauges • Transfer Hoses • Applicator Tank (for field application) Anhydrous Ammonia can result in permanent damage to your lungs!

27. Chemical Safety Points • Read product labels to understand the safety requirements of the product • Do not mix chemical solutions without adult supervision • Use proper personal protective equipment to protect eyes, skin, and lungs.

28. Animal Hazards • Zoonoses—term that denotes diseases that can be transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. There are several ways in which it can be transmitted: • Direct Animal Contact: animal manure, urine, bedding, and products such as raw meat, unprocessed milk, hides, hair, etc. • Indirect Animal Contact: soil, plants, and water (surface and well water) may be contaminated by animal waste

29. Stinging/Biting Insects • Wasps, hornets, bees, spiders, tarantulas, and other stinging and biting insects are found throughout America • Two types of insect bite reactions: • Allergic Reaction • Anaphylactic Shock (caused by insect venom and is a serious medical emergency)

30. Poisonous Snakes • Poisonous snakes typically have angular heads and a pit in front of the eyes.Take the following precautions if such a snake is encountered: • Slowly back away • Make no sudden moves • Report incident to those that may need to work in the same area • If a bite occurs, use the following guidelines: • Allow bite to bleed freely for 15-30 seconds • Clean and disinfect the area • Stay Calm • Get assistance to travel to emergency medical care

31. Rabies and Lyme Disease • Rabies is a viral disease of mammals, typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. • Avoid animals that show strange behavior. • Lyme disease affects people who have been bitten by a deer tick, but failed to notice that the insect attached itself to them. • If you think you are affected by Lyme disease, contact a doctor right away.