Tractor Safety Introduction

1. http://www.northottotractorparts.com/restorations/wpcontent/uploads/ih666right-best.jpghttp://www.northottotractorparts.com/restorations/wpcontent/uploads/ih666right-best.jpg Tractor SafetyIntroduction Set 1 Marissa Morton SAAIP Top Jobs Intern

2. The Work Environment • What factors influence farm work and injury risk? • Weather • Work Sites • Emergency Services • Personal Hygiene • Environmental Hazards (such as noise, vibration, lightning, dust, etc.)

3. The Work Environment • What are some physical factors that influence farm work and risk of injury? • Young Workers • Senior Workers • Minimal Physical Limits • Physical Exams • Special Care for physical or mental conditions • Transfers to light duty • Dispersion of Workforce • Farm Operators

4. The Work Environment • What are some work activity factors that influence farm work and risk injury? • Work Hours • Labor and Management Functions • Work Pace • Work Routine • Specialization • Instructions • Holidays and Vacations • Labor Demands • Uncertainty • Agricultural Production

5. The Work Environment • Social, Economic, and Political Factors that influence farm work and risk of injury: • Lifestyle • Agrarianism • Day Care • Occupational Safety and Health Legislation • Cultural Beliefs about Farm Safety and Health • Market Forces • Self-reliance for safety • Enculturation

6. Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture • The U.S. Department of Labor declared in 1969 that many agricultural tasks are harmful for youth under age 16 • Youths age 14 and 15 may be exempt from parts of the law (applies to ag. tractors and some farm machinery) • Penalty for an employer subjecting youth to hazardous occupations: • 1st offense—$10,000 • 2nd offense—$10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months

7. OSHA—Occupational Safety and Health Act • If a farm operator uses only their own labor or their own family labor, OSHA does not have jurisdiction in the operation • OSHA was effective in 1971 • “Small Farm Exemption” (farms employing fewer than 10 workers are OSHA restricted from expending farm funds to enforce rules)—effective since 1976

8. Worker’s Compensation • Workers Compensation Insurance fund must be paid for farm operations to cover medical and rehabilitation costs for workers injured on the job. • Cost of the program is high, so employers should take time to train workers in safety and see that they have a safe work attitude.

9. Worker Protection Standard • EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) aims to reduce risk of pesticide poisoning and injuries among agriculture workers and pesticide handlers. • WPS protects over 3.5 million people and over 560,000 workplaces that deal with pesticides.

10. Vehicle Codes • Rules and regulations vary from state to state • Some states may define highways and public roads differently • Properly using SMV (slow moving vehicle) signs is very important • Check load restrictions for length, width, height, and safety chains • Be aware of rules regarding farm use only trucks, riders/passengers in truck beds, and farm ATV use.

11. HOOA—Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture • Prohibited Work for 14 and 15 year olds: • Handling animal sires or sows and cows with newborns in the pen or corral • Working more than 20 feet above the ground • Working with category I and II agricultural Chemicals • Handling and using explosives and anhydrous ammonia

12. ROPS—Tractor Rollover Protection • Required on all tractors operated by employees since 1976 • Employers need to provide safe operating instructions and insure that seatbelts are used by the employee on ROPS equipped tractors http://www.bluedogengineering.com/Bluedog-Tractors/ROPS/ROPS-Advert-001.jpg

13. Operating Instructions • Operating Instructions that are provided by the employer include: • Avoid Ditches, embankments, and holes • Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and on rough, slick, or muddy areas • Careful around row ends, on roads, around trees • Do not allow extra riders on tractors • Operate tractors smoothly by avoiding jerky starts, turns, and stops • Hitch only to the drawbar or other recommended hitch points • Set brakes and use park lock when tractor is stopped

14. Agriculture and OSHA • All PTO’s need to be equipped with a guard • Accident prevention signs must be displayed • Confined spaces should be explained to the employee (areas such as grain bins, silos, manure pits, elevators, and atmosphere storages) • OSHA website is a good resource for agricultural related information

15. Environmental Regulations • There are federal, state, and/or local ordinances for the following areas: • Water pollution • Air pollution • Drinking water standards • Pesticide rules and regulations • Shifting load violations • Used tire disposal • Trash burning hours and rules • Battery disposal • Oil and fuel spills • Used oil disposal • Sink hole protection • Manure spreading *Check with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for laws regarding these areas* http://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/images/uploads/applyingmanure.jp1.jpg

16. Safety and Health Resources • State Level Resources • Cooperative Extension Service (offices in each county) • Agriculture and Extension Education program specialists in 4-H and FFA at • College of Agriculture specialists • Farm Bureau Safety Leaders • Department of Health • State Fire Instructors http://dasnr8.dasnr.okstate.edu/seminole/uploaded_files/4h_mark2.gif/image

17. Safety and Health Resources • Community Level Resources • State Police and/or Highway Patrol • County Coroner (investigations for farm-related fatalities) • Regional Department of Agriculture • Local Health Departments • Private Sources • Electrical service suppliers • Machinery dealers • Veterinarians • Local doctors and nurses • Ag. Pesticide representatives • EMS • Insurance Companies • American Red Cross