University of Minnesota Extension Service
Manure
Pit Hazards is one of the chapters from Lessons in Farm
Safety, an interactive curriculum used to teach children
about farm safety. Lessons in Farm Safety was developed
by the Farm Safety & Health Program team at the University
of Minnesota.
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Farm
workers risk their lives every time they enter a manure
pit. The oxygen-deficient, toxic, and /or explosive atmosphere
which can develop in a manure pit has claimed 12 lives
in Minnesota since 1994. Unfortunately, this is not just
an "adult" problem; three of the twelve fatalities in
Minnesota were of children under six years of age. This
lesson reviews the reasons farmers use manure pits, common
and dangerous gases found in manure pits, and how a person can be safe when working in and around manure pits.
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By
the end of this lesson the learner will:
- Recognize
the specific hazards associated with manure pits.
- Describe
and name the four gases found in the highest concentration
in manure pits.
- Correctly
state the procedure to follow if someone has fallen
into a manure pit.
- Identify
proper protective equipment to use when entering a
manure pit.
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Tell
students the purpose of manure pits. Manure pit systems,
used primarily on swine and dairy farms, allow for the
easy cleaning of animal confinement buildings and efficient
underground storage of large amounts of raw manure. Because
the dangerous pit gases may not always be present, farm
workers may have successfully entered these pits in the
past.
Invite
a respiratory therapist to speak to the group about
how the lungs function and the symptoms of respiratory
disease. Good visual aids include respiratory protection
devices, Use Manure Pit slide set (see resources) or
review the properties of gases that may be found in
manure pits.
Set
up manure pit display (directions follow). Demonstrate
displacement of oxygen by toxic gases by lighting match
and slowly lowering it into the tank (wrap a coated
wire bread twisty around the match to lower it through
the slats). The flame will quit burning within a few
inches, well above the visible layer of gas. If you
allow a few minutes for the gases to accumulate the
flame will burn out just beneath the slatted floor.
This will reinforce the concept that gas s necessary
to breath (or allow a flame to burn) are invisible and
can fill a manure pit. Be sure to emphasize that a person
should NEVER enter a manure pit with a lit match.
Search
the internet for manure pit web sites. A good place
to start might be the University
of Minnesota's manure education and research page.
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WARNING!
Dry ice is extremely cold and may cause severe burns in contact with skin. It also liberates heavy gas which may cause suffocation. Do not enter confined areas where dry ice is used or stored until adequately ventilated. Do not taste. Do not put in stoppered glass jars or other sealed containers. Handle with gloves. Keep out of children's reach. |
You
will need one of each of the following items: 2½ gallon
aquarium; toy cow, pig, and bull (1/32 scale); one pound
of dry composted manure or dark soil; screen trim (any
other thin wood will also work); gray spray paint; glue;
Manure Pit posters (see resources); water; matches; and
dry ice (pellets, not blocks); gloves to handle dry ice;
and chocolate stars or kisses to simulate manure on top
of floor (optional). |
Make
a slatted top for the "manure pit." Cut two pieces of
screen trim the length of the pit . Cut thirteen pieces
of screen trim the width of the pit. Glue the short
pieces onto the long pieces being careful to space them
evenly apart from each other. Make one of the center
spaces ½" wide to make it easier to put a match between
the slats. Paint the slatted "floor" gray.
Put
manure or dirt into pit. Add water; stir until completely
mixed and resembles pancake batter.
While
wearing gloves, add two or three pellets of dry ice;
stir.
Put
slatted floor on top of tank and put animals on top
of floor.
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WHAT
ARE MANURE PITS AND WHY ARE THEY DANGEROUS? (PowerPoint
slide set) Description:
Interactive slide set that can be made into any size posters
from a disk or used with a slide projector. Covers reasons
for using manure pits, common gases present in pits, reasons
some Minnesota farmers have entered pits (and died), correct
way to enter pit, and what to do if someone has fallen
into a pit.
PC compatible disk in .ppt format available for $3.00.
You will need to have Microsoft PowerPoint software
on your computer to use the disk. Photographic slides
available for $15.00. Order from: Farm Safety and Health
Program, Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Department,
University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., St. Paul,
MN 55108-6005. Make check payable to the University
of Minnesota. An alternative method of viewing the PowerPoint
slides is to go directly to the slides:
The
Poop About Manure |
For more
information, e-mail us at the Farm
Safety & Health Program
Want
to know more about manure? Check the
Minnesota Extension Manure Page!
Go
to the Farm Safety & Health in Minnesota Web page
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD
does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD
appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder.
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NASD Review: 04/2002
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