Ann Gibson Horne
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
The On-Site Farm Safety Survey was conducted as a needs assessment
phase of the ongoing safety project directed by the Department
of Extension Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma
State University. The funding was provided by the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The survey was carried
out to meet Objective Eight for Year Two of the project (1991-92).
A Graduate Research Associate was hired to oversee the survey
portion of the project. Several meetings were held with members
of the Project Safe Team in order to plan the survey. A questionnaire
was developed, reviewed, and revised several times before the
final instrument was ready. The team reviewing the questionnaire
included Dr. Jim Criswell, Entomology; Dr. Gerrit Cuperus, Entomology;
Dr. Ben Shaw, Agricultural Education; Dr. Chuck Hibberd, Animal
Science; Dr. Miguel Barerra, Agricultural Education; Dr. James
Key, Agricultural Education; Dr. Michael Smolen, Agricultural
Engineering; Pat Lewis, Agricultural Engineering; Judy Oskam,
Agricultural Engineering; and Edward Barnes, Agricultural Engineering.
Mr. Charles Drake, legal counsel for the University, was consulted
regarding liability that could be incurred through the survey.
He approved the survey instrument as non-threatening to the
population being surveyed.
Three graduate students in Agricultural Education were hired
to conduct the surveys. Each assistant received extensive training
through the use of videos, safety specialists, safety manuals,
and supervised field practice. In addition to training in the
field of technical information, the students also received training
in personal relations.
The County Extension Directors in each county were contacted
and asked to provide the names and phone numbers of six to ten
farmers/ranchers who would be willing to participate in the
survey. In addition, the directors were asked to suggest names
of people whose operations were typical of the area. Because
it was a voluntary project, some counties did not respond to
the second mailing and phone calls that were used to follow
up the first request. Eventually, 68(88%) of the 77 counties
in Oklahoma were surveyed. A total of 209 farms were visited.
After names were received from the County Extension Offices,
the survey coordinator contacted each person by telephone to
explain what was involved in the project and also to set up
a date and time for the surveyor to visit their farm/ranch.
It was left to the individual to ensure whether or not their
farm was surveyed. In order to facilitate the surveyors' transportation,
all the farms in one county were visited on the same day or
on consecutive days, thus avoiding additional travel expenses.
(In a few counties, Agriculture Agents set up the visits themselves.)
On average,
the surveys took thirty minutes to an hour to complete. There
were a number of variables, such as size of the farm, that
influenced the amount of time required at each site. The surveyors
found that the farmers were, for the most part, extremely
interested in farm safety and all factors making their farms
safer.
A problem was considered major if less than half of the farms
surveyed were following recognized safety practices in carrying
out this operation.
Demographic
Information
Of the farms
surveyed, the average size of the farm was 1607.7 acres and
the average number of miles to the nearest fire station was
5.48 miles. The results of the survey also showed that the average
number of years the owner of the farm had been farming was 26.9
years.
Regarding
training in first aid, 131(63.90%) of the farmers surveyed
indicated that they or a member of their family had received
some type of first aid training, while 74(36.10%) indicated
that no one in their family had received any first aid training.
Farm
Buildings
Of the farms
surveyed, 92.31% did not display NO SMOKING signs in fuel storage
or refueling areas, 42.23% did not have fire extinguishers readily
available, and another 16.51% needed improvement. Forty-seven
percent of the farms surveyed did not have a first aid kit,
and 6.83 percent of those that did, needed improvement (Table
I).
Crop
and Feed Storage Areas
Of the farms
surveyed, 54.55% did not have warning labels in crop and feed
storage areas, and another 14.87% needed improvement. Of the
30.58% that were labeled, 82.70% of the labels had both words
and pictures.
Seventy-two
percent of the farms surveyed did not have fire extinguishers
readily available in crop storage areas, and 5.51% needed
improvement (Table II).
Chemical
Storage and Application
The results
of the survey showed that 29.67% of the farms did not store
chemicals in a room or building which could be locked to keep
out children and livestock.
Of the
farms surveyed, 61.72% of the entrances to chemical storage
areas were not posted to warn others of the hazards inside
and to inform firefighters in the event of a fire.
The
results of the survey showed that 11.59% of the farms did
not have proper first aid equipment available, and another
25.12% needed improvement in this area.
Sixty-seven
percent of the farms surveyed did not have NO SMOKING signs
posted in and around buildings where chemicals were stored.
Of the farms surveyed, 44.93% of chemical storage areas were
also used for some other purpose (Table III).
Equipment
and Machinery (Other than Tractors)
Fifty-eight
percent of the farms checked did not have all combines equipped
with fire extinguishers, and another 6.25% needed improvement
(Table IV). The survey found that 81.16% of the PTO shields
were in place on equipment and machinery. Approximately 89%
of other guards and shields were in place.
Tractors
Seventy-eight
percent of the farms surveyed did not have all tractors equipped
with fire extinguishers, and 7.32% needed improvement (Table
V). The survey results showed that approximately 75% of the
tractors had either ROPS or ROPS cabs. Of those tractors with
ROPS or ROPS cabs, 64.44% had seatbelts. Fifty-six percent of
the tractors checked did have PTO master shields in place.
Livestock
Facilities
Statistics
on safety and livestock facilities can be found in Table VI.
Table
I. Farm Buildings |
|
| YES
N(%)
| NO
N(%)
| N/I*
N(%)
| N/A**
N+
|
1. |
Are
buildings free of unnecessary accumulations of trash,
litter, junk, and other debris which could fuel a fire,
cause falls, or get in the way? |
117(56.79) |
33(16.02) |
56(27.19) |
3 |
2. |
Are
buildings well lighted? |
160(78.82) |
20(9.85) |
23(11.33) |
4 |
3. |
Are
above-ground fuel storage tanks at least forty feet from
any building? |
113(60.75) |
63(33.87) |
10(5.38) |
22 |
4. |
Are
above-ground fuel storage tanks child-proofed? |
123(66.13) |
50(26.88) |
13(6.99) |
21 |
5. |
Is
the area near fuel storage tanks free of weeds and other
easily combustible material? |
147(79.03) |
16(8.60) |
23(12.37) |
12 |
6. |
Are
NO SMOKING signs displayed near fuel storage or refueling
areas? |
12(6.59) |
168(92.31) |
2(1.10) |
27 |
7. |
Does
each major farm building have a fully charged ABC-type
fire extinguisher readily available? |
85(41.26) |
87(42.23) |
34(16.51) |
3 |
8. |
Does
each major farm area have a well-maintained first aid
kit for use in the event of personal injury? |
94(45.85) |
97(47.32) |
14(6.83) |
1 |
9. |
Are
important emergency phone numbers clearly written and
posted near each telephone? |
108(55.38) |
68(34.87) |
19(9.75) |
12 |
10. |
Does
all electrical wiring insulation appear to be in good
condition? |
166(84.69) |
6(3.06) |
24(12.25) |
13 |
11. |
Are
the floors of buildings free of badly broken and raised
concrete, slippery spots, small curbs, or other spots
that could cause falls? |
169(92.86)
|
9(4.94)
|
4(2.20)
|
27
|
12. |
Are
there telephones or radios in vehicles or buildings away
from the home base? |
89(59.33) |
56(37.33) |
5(3.34) |
57 |
*
N/I = Needs Improvement** N/A = Not Applicable for this
farm
+
Those farms responding with Not Applicable were not
figured into the overall percentages.
|
Table
II. Crop and Feed Storage Areas |
|
| YES
N(%)
| NO
N(%)
| N/I*
N(%)
| N/A**
N+
|
13. |
Can
entrances to grain, feed or silage storage areas be closed
or locked to keep children out? |
86(68.80) |
30(24.00) |
9(7.20) |
84 |
14. |
Is
each grain/feed bin and storage area clearly labeled to
warn of the hazards of flowing grain/feed and the potential
for entrapment?* |
37(30.58) |
66(54.55) |
18(14.87) |
88 |
16. |
Are
silo and bin ladders in good condition?** |
94(88.68) |
8(7.55) |
4(3.77) |
101 |
17. |
** |
|
|
|
|
18. |
*** |
|
|
|
|
19. |
Is
there a charged ABC-type fire extinguisher readily available
in crop storage areas? |
28(22.05) |
92(72.44) |
7(5.51) |
77 |
20. |
Are
respirators or dust masks available for use when handling
dusty or moldy grain or feed, or cleaning inside a bin?**** |
96(77.42) |
27(21.77) |
1(0.81) |
83 |
21. |
Does
the grower fumigate his/her own grain?***** |
48(49.48) |
49(50.52) |
0 |
107 |
N/I
= Needs Improvement N/A = Not Applicable |
+
Those farms responding with Not Applicable were not figured
into the overall percentages. |
*
Question 15 asked what type of information the labels
indicated in Question 14 contained. Results were Words
-- 8(15.38%)Pictures -- 1(1.92%)Both Words and Pictures
-- 43(82.70%) |
**
Question 17 asked how many bins had permanent ladders
both inside and out. Because the surveyors were not able,
in many cases, to determine the existence of inside ladders,
the results given are for outside ladders only. It was
found that 72.25% of the bins had outside ladders. |
***
Question 18 asked how many silos were labeled to warn
of the hazards of silo gas. Only a small number of the
farms surveyed had silos, and 40.63% of these were labeled. |
****
Question 20 also asked the surveyor to indicate what type
of respirator or mask was available on the farms that
had them. Results were Cannister -- 16(15.54%)Positive
pressure -- 8(7.77%)Dust mask -- 79(76.69%) |
*****
Question 21 also asked the surveyor to indicate whether
or not warning placards and proper respiratory equipment
were available on farms where the surveyor did fumigate
his/her own grain. Results were: Warning placards available
-- YES 23 (47.92%)NO 25 (52.08%) Proper respiratory equipment
-- YES 20 (41.67%)NO 28 (58.33%) |
Table
III. Chemical Storage and Application |
|
| YES
N(%)
| NO
N(%)
| N/I*
N(%)
| N/A**
N+
|
22. |
Are
all chemicals stored in a room or building which can be
locked to keep out children and livestock? |
87(41.63) |
62(29.67) |
5(2.38) |
55 |
23. |
Is
the entrance to the chemical storage area posted to warn
others of the hazards inside and to inform firefighters
of the contents in the event of a fire? |
10(4.78) |
129(61.72) |
4(1.92) |
66 |
24. |
* |
|
|
|
|
25. |
Is
the chemical mixing place outside or in an open, well-ventilated
part of the building?** |
163(78.84) |
2(0.97) |
0 |
42 |
26. |
*** |
|
|
|
|
27. |
Is
proper first aid equipment available, including a large
amount of water? |
94(45.42) |
24(11.59) |
52(25.12) |
37 |
28. |
Are
all empty chemical containers disposed of properly? |
128(61.54) |
16(7.69) |
27(12.98) |
37 |
29. |
Is
the storage area reserved for chemicals only? |
48(23.19) |
93(44.93) |
6(2.89) |
60 |
30. |
Are
NO SMOKING signs displayed in and around buildings where
chemicals are stored? |
5(2.40) |
140(67.31) |
1(0.48) |
62 |
+
Those farms responding with Not Applicable were not figured
into the overall percentages. |
*
Question 24 asked approximately what percentage of chemicals
are stored in their original containers. The survey showed
that 98.32% were stored in original containers. |
**
Question 25 also asked surveyors to indicate where chemical
mixing takes place. Results showed: Same Place Always--
87(61.70)In the Field -- 54(38.30) |
***
Question 26 asked what kinds of equipment were available
for use with chemical applicators. The results were:
Gloves: YES - 124 NO - 42(118 Rubber, 4 Leather 1 Plastic,
1 Cotton) (74.70%) (25.30%)(95.16%), (3.22%), (0.81%),
(0.81%)
Goggles: YES - 79(48.77%) NO - 83(51.23%) (1 Survey indicated
a respirator was used)
Boots: YES - 149 NO - 15(63 Rubber, 83 Leather, 2 Both,
1 ?) (90.85%) (9.15%)(42.28%) (55.70%) (1.35%) (0.67%)
|
Table
IV. Equipment and Machinery (other than tractors) |
|
| YES
N(%)
| NO
N(%)
| N/I*
N(%)
| N/A**
N+
|
31. |
* |
|
|
|
|
32. |
** |
|
|
|
|
33. |
Is
the auger inlet shielded to prevent contact with the auger? |
76(59.84) |
30(23.62) |
21(16.54) |
82 |
34.
|
Is
the winch cable free of corrosion, wear, or damage which
would reduce its strength? |
111(92.5) |
5(4.16) |
4(3.34) |
88 |
35. |
Are
there any power lines near those areas where portable
augers/elevators are located or generally used? |
49(39.20) |
70(56.00) |
6(4.80) |
83 |
36. |
*** |
|
|
|
|
37. |
Is
each combine equipped with a ten-pound (minimum) ABC-type
fire extinguisher? |
34(35.42) |
56(58.33) |
6(6.25) |
113 |
38. |
Are
ladders and steps in good repair and free of mud and grease? |
103(96.26) |
2(1.87) |
2(1.87) |
102 |
+
Those farms responding with Not Applicable were not figured
into the overall percentages. |
*
Question 31 asked approximately what percentage of PTO
shields were in place. It was found that 81.16% were in
place on equipment and machinery. |
** Question 32 asked approximately what percentage of
other guards and shields were in place. The survey indicated
that 88.59% of these were in place. |
***
Question 36 asked the surveyor to indicate approximately
what percentage of the self-propelled and towed equipment
was equipped with an unfaded SMV emblem and reflectors
or lights. Results showed the following Unfaded SMV Emblem
--74.83%Reflectors or Lights -- 87.86% |
Table
V. Tractors |
|
| YES
N(%)
| NO
N(%)
| N/I*
N(%)
| N/A**
N+
|
39. |
Are
PTO master shields kept in place? |
116(56.04) |
45(21.74) |
46(22.22) |
2 |
40. |
Have
defective mufflers and other exhaust components been replaced? |
189(91.75) |
6(2.91) |
11(5.34) |
2 |
41.
|
Are
the operators' platforms free of grease, mud, and tools? |
166(80.58) |
14(6.79) |
26(12.63) |
2 |
42. |
Are
reflectors and SMV emblems clean, unfaded, and undamaged? |
121(60.80) |
37(18.59) |
41(22.61) |
9 |
43. |
Is
each tractor equipped with a five-pound (minimum) ABC-type
fire extinguisher? |
30(14.63) |
160(78.05) |
15(7.32) |
4 |
44. |
Are
cab windows and mirrors clean to maintain clear visibility? |
143(94.08) |
4(2.63) |
5(3.29) |
57 |
45. |
Are
tires in good condition and inflated to proper levels? |
188(92.16) |
6(2.94) |
10(4.90) |
2 |
46. |
Are
the fuel, oil, and hydraulic systems in good condition? |
192(94.12) |
3(1.47) |
9(4.41) |
2 |
47. |
* |
|
|
|
|
48. |
** |
|
|
|
|
+
Those farms responding with Not Applicable were not figured
into the overall percentages. |
*
Question 47 asked approximately what percentage of the
tractors had ROPS or ROPS cabs. It was determined that
approximately 74.69% of the tractors had either ROPS or
ROPS cabs. |
**
Question 48 asked approximately what percentage of the
tractors indicated in Question 47 also had seatbelts.
It was found that 64.44% of the tractors had seatbelts.
|
Table
VI. Livestock Facilities |
|
| YES
N(%)
| NO
N(%)
| N/I*
N(%)
| N/A**
N+
|
49. |
Are
pens and loading chutes adequate for the job, sturdy,
and well-repaired? |
171(86.36) |
9(4.54) |
18(9.10) |
10 |
50. |
Are
gates and lot fences adequate for the job, sturdy, and
well-repaired? |
173(87.82) |
9(4.57) |
15(7.61) |
10 |
51. |
Is
feeding, grinding, and other equipment properly shielded
and all shields in place? |
65(82.28) |
2(2.53) |
12(15.19) |
126 |
52. |
Are
loading troughs on augers, elevators, and conveyors covered
with grating? |
39(86.66) |
3(6.67) |
3(6.67) |
161 |
53. |
Are
vents clear and fans operative in confinement housing? |
18(90.00) |
1(5.00) |
1(5.00) |
187 |
54. |
Are
ponds fenced to keep children out? |
64(52.46) |
54(44.26) |
4(3.28) |
84 |
55.
|
Are
there at least two exits from each area used for working
livestock? |
190(96.45) |
5(2.54) |
2(1.01) |
11 |
+
Those farms responding with Not Applicable were not figured
into the overall percentages. |
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. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
For more
information about agricultural safety and health, contact:
The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, 4676
Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, 1-800-35-NIOSH,
or, Project Director, Oklahoma Agricultural Health Promotion
System, Oklahoma State University, (405)-744-7089
Graduate
Research Associate, Department of Agricultural Education and
Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma
State University.
|