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Bill Field
Purdue Extension
Farming in Indiana has been changing during the past few years at a rate that almost takes your breath away. Prices for land, machinery and essential services in comparison to agricultural prices have become almost unmanageable for many farm families. Pressures to stay on the cutting edge of new developments and to maximize the resources of land, capital, labor, time and now energy has forcefully reshaped the traditional Indiana farm family.
For
farm women, especially, the times have brought about significant
changes in lifestyles and the nature of responsibilities many
have assumed in the operation of the farm business. In a growing
number of instances grandmothers, wives, mothers and daughters
are being called upon to assist in areas of the farm operation
that were traditionally viewed as "man's work." In addition
to their already taxing and challenging responsibilities in
the home, more faun women appear to be taking on the roles
of part-time truck drivers, grain haulers, tractor drivers,
and machinery operators.
These
new roles, many of which are extremely hazardous, are often
assumed by farm women with little or no previous experience
or training which greatly increases the risks and likelihood
of personal injury. Farming is already one of Indiana's most
dangerous occupations and for the inexperienced or untrained
part-time worker, man or woman, carrying out hazardous farm
operations, regardless of how good the intentions are, can
result in tragedy. Therefore, it is the purpose of the Farm
Women's Safety Workshop to better equip farm women to safely
and efficiently deal with areas of the farm operation that
they might be unfamiliar with and that can present special
hazards to them. It is also hoped that farm women who participate
in the workshop will become more effective at influencing
the men in their lives, (husbands, sons, fathers, etc.), who
operate farm machinery and perform other hazardous farm tasks
to become more safety conscious.
Topics
to be covered in the workshop through the use of presentations,
demonstrations, publications and audio-visual materials will
include:
I. Review
of the Farm Accident Problem in Indiana
II. The
Cost of Non-fatal Accidents
III.
Fundamental Causes of Fatal Farm Accidents
IV. Safe
Operation of Farm Tractors
V. Identifying
and Avoiding Hazards on Selected Pieces of Farm Machinery VI. Grain
Handling Safety
VII.
Handling Farm Chemicals Safely (optional, depending upon time
and interest)
In 1976
Purdue University carried out a survey1 of counties
to learn more about the circumstances surrounding non-fatal,
farm--related accidents. According to the survey findings:
- There
was about on accident reported for every nine farms surveyed.
- Eighty-seven
percent of all reported farm-related accidents involved members
of farm families.
- Slips
and falls were the most common types of accidents reported.
- Ninety
percent of all reported accidents occurred under ideal conditions;
clear, dry, calm days.
- The
months of June, July and September had the highest number
of accidents.
- Accidents
were most likely to happen just before lunch and late afternoon.
- Arms
and legs were the most frequently injured parts of the body.
- In
31 percent of the reported accidents first aid was administered
by either the accident victim or a related family member.
- Approximately
61 percent of all accidents reported in the survey involved
broken bones, cuts or lacerations requiring medical attention.
- Those
65 years of age and older had the highest number of reported
accidents per 1,000 persons.
- The
under 14 age bracket had about 180 accidents per million hours
worked. This is more than three times as many as the 25-44
age group.
Besides
slips and falls the study also found that the leading accident-causing
items around the farm ware:
-Livestock
-Farm
machinery with the exception of tractors
-Hand
and power tools
If the
information gathered from the 10 counties were projected over
the state's approximately 95,000 farms, the survey suggests
that more than 10,500 non-fatal, farm-related accidents occurred
during 1976. Of this number it is further estimated that more
than 6,000 of the accident victims required emergency medical
treatment because of broken bones, internal injuries, burns
and lacerations.
Even
though the majority of the accidents investigated in the study
were work related, a farm family's participation in recreational
activities, on and off the farm, contributed to a significant
number of serious accidents. As leisure time is used in more
sophisticated ways with snowmobiles, motor boats and motorcycles,
the possibility of an accident increase. Also, the figures
suggest that once a farm family is away from the hazards found
on the farm, they may relax and neglect the hazards associated
with play.
One
encouraging finding of the 1976 farm accident study was the
reduction in the accident rate or number of farm accidents
per million hours worked between 1970 and 1976. A continued
decline in farm population, modern, safer farm equipment,
and effective safety education programs, all contributed to
the lower accident rate.
Again
using the 1976 farm accident study, an estimate of costs of
non-fatal farm accidents was computed. Using the average of
the approximate costs reported in the survey, it was estimated
that a farm accident cost the farm family $373.00 in 1976.
Taking into consideration a modest inflation rate of 10 percent
per year this figure approaches $550.00 today. This cost includes
only direct expenses for medical care, repair or replacement
of property and replacement labor. Indirect costs for such
items as travel to obtain medical treatment, increased insurance
rates, and lost productivity can significantly increase the
cost of a farm accident.
Projecting
the accident cost figures over the entire state the findings
suggest that non-fatal farm accidents cost Indiana farmers
nearly $4,000,000 in direct costs during 1976, which potentially
might be as high as $6,000,000 today.
For
more than 15 years an arrangement has been maintained with
the Indiana State Board of Health whereby copies of death
certificates reporting farm-related fatalities have been provided
to the Extension safety specialist at Purdue for analysis.
Between 1973 and 1976, 199 death certificates were received
and cataloged.
This
four-year summary of fatalities does not include those deaths
caused by automobile, truck or other highway vehicle accidents,
accidents away from the farm resulting from leisure activities
and deaths resulting from mishaps in the home. Furthermore,
because of present reporting techniques, deaths that could
have been attributed to un-diagnosed pesticide poisoning,
exposure to silo gas, heart attacks and strokes caused by
over exertion and heat, and sicknesses caused by exposure
to livestock are not reported in the manner they possibly
should be.
Number Percent
Cause reported of total
------------------------------------------
Tractors 97 48.8
Farm machinery 40 20.1
Falls 15 7.6
Smothering or
asphyxiation 13 6.5
Cutting or
trimming trees 11 5.5
Electrocution 4 2.0
Fires and burns 4 2.0
Drowning 3 1.5
Train crossing 1 0.5
Livestock 1 0.5
Other 10 5.0
----------------------------------------
TOTAL 199 100%
---------------------------------------
Of real
concern should be the finding that of the 154 tractor and
machinery-related deaths which happened between 1973 and 1976,
25 were children under the age of 14 including 9 under 4 years.
As long as the practice of carrying an "extra rider" on farm
machinery continues to be accepted by many Indiana farm families
there undoubtedly will be little reduction in this type of
accident. Even tractor cabs, which appear as safe places to
babysit small children or to provide an older child with a
place to ride along, presents risks which a family should
carefully consider before permitting the practice. For there
is probably nothing that can destroy or tear apart a farm
family quicker or more permanently than the tragic loss of
a little one because of a needless farm accident.
A.
Audio-Visual presentation on Safe Tractor Operation
As you
watch the film, "Agricultural Tractor Safety"2,
which is to be presented at this time, see if you can correctly
answer the following questions. At the completion of the film
showing, the questions will be used as a basis for further
discussion. Circle TRUE or FALSE:
1. TRUE or FALSE: Most fatal farm machinery accidents involve tractors.
2. TRUE or FALSE: The majority of farm machinery accidents are
caused by improper machine design.
3. TRUE or FALSE: Accidents cause more deaths to young people
between the ages of 15 and 24 than all other
causes combined.
4. TRUE or FALSE: ROPS on tractors help prevent tractor roll overs.
5. TRUE or FALSE: Loads being towed by a tractor should only be
attached to the drawbar.
6. TRUE or FALSE: All new farm tractors and machinery are designed
so that hearing protection for the operator
is not required.
7. TRUE or FALSE: Tractor engines should never be run in an enclosed
area such as a machinery building with the doors
closed.
8. TRUE or FALSE: Then operating a tractor on the highway both brakes
should be locked together.
9. TRUE or FALSE: The SMV emblem can be used on farm equipment to
replace other warning devices such as reflectors
and tail lamps.
10. TRUE or FALSE: The primary reason for shutting off a tractor
engine while refueling is to conserve fuel.
See last page for answers.
B. Tractor Activity Checklist
Using the assigned tractor work stations, complete the following
activity checklist which is designed to assist you in identifying
potential hazards and to batter understand the safety aspects of each
tractor. If you have any questions ask the resource person located at
each work station.
1. On the tractors at each work station inspect for the following hazards
which have the potential for causing a personal injury.
blkb
Tractor Tractor Tractor
#1 #2 #3
______ _______ _______ 1. Trash or tools on platform
______ _______ _______ 2. Fuel system leaks
______ _______ _______ 3. PTO master shield missing
______ _______ _______ 4. Faulty muffler
______ _______ _______ 5. Unevenly adjusted brakes
______ _______ _______ 6. Dirty or faded SMV emblem
______ _______ _______ 7. Improper tire inflation
______ _______ _______ 8. Broken or non-functioning
headlights, tail lights and
reflectors
______ _______ _______ 9. Missing hazard-alert sym-
bols and safety decals
______ _______ _______ 10. Key left in the ignition
Others (describe): _________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
2. Locate
the following safety items on the tractor at each of the work
stations. (In the process of completing this activity, compare
the number of safety items found on the newest tractor with
the number found on the oldest tractor)
Tractor Tractor Tractor
#1 #2 #3
______ _______ _______ 1. ROPS
______ _______ _______ 2. SMV emblem
______ _______ _______ 3. Hazard-alert symbols and
safety decals
______ _______ _______ 4. PTO master shield
______ _______ _______ 5. Protective PTO shaft shield
______ _______ _______ 6. Neutral start switch
______ _______ _______ 7. Tail lights and reflectors
______ _______ _______ 8. Hand holds and steps
______ _______ _______ 9. Fire extinguisher
______ _______ _______ 10. First-aid kit
______ _______ _______ 11. Adjustable seat
______ _______ _______ 12. Safety hitch pin
3. Locate
the following gauges and meters on the tractor at each of
the assigned work stations.
Tractor Tractor Tractor
#1 #2 #3
_______ _______ ________ 1. Fuel level indicator
_______ _______ ________ 2. Coolant temperature gauge
_______ _______ ________ 3. Engine oil pressure gauge
_______ _______ ________ 4. Electrical ammeter or generator light
_______ _______ ________ 5. Transmission oil temperature
gauge
_______ _______ ________ 6. Air cleaner restriction light
_______ _______ ________ 7. Engine hour meter
_______ _______ ________ 8. Engine RPM indicator
4. On
the tractor at each work station locate and operate each of
the following controls.
Tractor Tractor Tractor
#1 #2 #3
_______ _______ ________ 1. Start switch
_______ _______ ________ 2. Engine throttle lever
_______ _______ ________ 3. Fuel shut-off control on diesel tractors
_______ _______ ________ 4. Light switches
_______ _______ ________ 5. Seat adjustments
_______ _______ ________ 6. Clutch petal
_______ _______ ________ 7. Brakes and brake locks
_______ _______ ________ 8. PTO activating lever
_______ _______ ________ 9. Three-point lift control
lever
_______ _______ ________ 10. Remote hydraulic ram control
levers
_______ _______ ________ 11. Differential lock mechanism
It is
tremendously important that all who work with farm machinery
develop and continually maintain a conscious respect for its
potential of causing injury. The Scriptural reference to "pride
coming before the fall" is truly applicable to those who work
with farm machinery. For as soon as the user lets down their
guard or becomes over confident, trouble is certain to be
on the way.
As you
are assisted in identifying potential hazards on the various
pieces of farm machinery at each of the work stations, be
on the alert for the following items:
1. Safety
Decals
2. Safety
Hitch Pins
3. Moving
Parts That Can Entangle
4. Moving
Parts That Can Shear
5. Moving
Parts That Can Pinch
While
viewing the slide-tape presentation4 on the hazards
of flowing grain make an attempt to answer the following questions.
The questions will be used as a basis for discussion following
the presentation. Circle TRUE or FALSE:
1. TRUE or FALSE: There is no good excuse for entering a grain
bin with the unloading equipment operating.
2. TRUE or FALSE: Entrapment in flowing grain can occur in as
little as 2 or 3 seconds.
3. TRUE or FALSE: The only hazard caked or spoiled grain presents
is from inhalation of mold and dust.
4. TRUE or FALSE: Illness caused by inhalation of moldy grain dust
is only temporary and should not be considered
serious.
5. TRUE or FALSE: Dust masks that are effective for providing
protection from grain dust are readily
available in most farming communities.
6. TRUE or FALSE: Grain bins should be "off-limits" to children
at all times.
7. TRUE or FALSE: Grain wagons and grain hauling trucks are an
unlikely place for a flowing grain accident
to happen.
8. TRUE or FALSE: The use of ropes and ladders suspended from the
ceilings of grain bins have been proven as
effective safety devices to prevent grain bin
accidents.
9. List
four reasons why flowing grain accidents occur on modern Indiana
farms.
a.
b.
c.
d.
10.
List four possible preventive measures a farm family could
take to reduce the possibility of a flowing-grain accident.
a.
b.
c.
d.
See
last pages for answers.
In one
respect, farm chemicals are similar to farm women in that
it is common to see men who work with both quickly take each
for granted. In both cases this situation can lead to a pile
of trouble. (Since this workshop is dealing primarily with
farm safety and not interpersonal or marital relationships
we'll attempt to keep our focus on the safe use of farm chemicals.)
Farmers
use thousands of chemicals to control a wide variety of pests
that reduce the productivity of agricultural crop land and
livestock and to protect farm products once they are produced.
The risk to health and life may be substantial if these farm
chemicals are handled carelessly.
Even
though there have been very few deaths from the use of farm
chemicals it is believed that many non-lethal reactions to
farm chemicals go unreported or are ignored by farm families.
In some cases accidental exposure to certain farm chemicals
can result in symptoms that could easily be passed off as
a stomach upset or a "bad case of nerves" during a busy planting
period. It is most important that members of farm families,
especially farm wives, be keenly aware of not only the symptoms
of acute exposure to certain toxic chemicals but also the
chronic or long term effects that chemicals may have.
One
chemical that is widely used in Indiana as a fertilizer is
anhydrous ammonia. This chemical can present some real hazards
to the uninformed user. Accidents involving anhydrous ammonia
can result in serious injury, blindness or even death. Because
of the tremendous amount of anhydrous ammonia used in Indiana
and it's potential to cause injury, information on its safe
handling and use is included in the Farm Women's Safety Workshop.
As you
view the next film presentation5 covering anhydrous
ammonia safety be alert for tips that you could pass along
to those in your family who might be involved with the use
of this chemical. Use the following questions as a guide.
1. Why
is anhydrous ammonia hazardous to handle?
2. Why
is an emergency supply of water so important?
3. What
personal protective equipment should be used at all times
when handling anhydrous ammonia?
4. What
are the proper first-aid procedures for victims injured by
anhydrous ammonia?
No one
program, regardless of how well it is carried out, will make
you safe and proficient at handling all hazardous farm related
tasks. Hopefully today's workshop allowed you to develop a
few new skills, become aware of hazards that you didn't realize
existed before and sharpened your desire to encourage your
family to become more safety conscious.
There
are a number of safety publications available on a wide variety
of topics which you might find useful in assisting your family
members to become inure aware of specific farm hazards. Feel
free to inquire about them at your county Extension office
or contact the Extension Safety Specialist, Department of
Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University,
West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907.
IV.-A. Audio-Visual Presentations on Safe Tractor Operations
1. (TRUE), 2. (FALSE), 3. (TRUE), 4. (FALSE), 5. (TRUE),
6. (FALSE), 7. (TRUE), 8. (TRUE), 9. (FALSE), 10. (FALSE).
VI. Audio-Visual Presentation on Hazards of Flowing Grain
1. (TRUE), 2. (TRUE), 3. (FALSE), 4. (FALSE), 5. (TRUE),
6. (TRUE), 7. (FALSE), 8. (FALSE).
9. (harvesting, handling and storing of shelled corn), (more
on-farm storage) , (larger bins), (greater handling capacity)
and (year-round storage of grain)
10. (warn all family members of the hazards of flowing grain)
(put warning signs on bins and wagons) , (prohibit children
from entering bins and riding in grain wagons), and (have
two people present when grain is being unloaded from bins)
VII. Audio-Visual Presentation on Anhydrous Ammonia
1. (anhydrous ammonia is a strong alkali which is transported,
stored and handled under pressure)
2. (water is the only effective first-aid treatment for
exposure to anhydrous ammonia).
3. (chemical-type goggles) and (rubber gloves).
4. (Flood affect areas with water for 15 minutes), (remove
contact lens if present) , (remove contaminated clothing)
and (seek medical attention)
1 "A
Summary of the 1976 Indiana Farm Accident Survey with a Brief
Analysis of Fatalities on Indiana Farms, 1973-1976", Field
and Bailey, Purdue University, (available by request)
2 "Agricultural
Tractor Safety", Purdue University, 1976, (available through
Purdue's Audio-Visual Library, Indiana State Police or Indiana
Farm Bureau)
3 "Entrapments
and Suffocations in Flowing Grain", Field and Bailey, Purdue
University, 1979 (available by request).
4 "Suffocation
Hazards in Flowing Grain", Purdue University, 1978, (available
from Purdue's Audio-Visual Library and County Extension Offices).
5 "For
the Rest of Your Life", National Society for the Prevention
of Blindness, (available from Purdue's Audio-Visual Library
and Indiana Society for the Prevention of Blindness).
RR 5/81
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S-83
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Bill Field
Extension Safety Specialist, Department of Agricultural Engineering
Cooperative
Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, state of
Indiana, Purdue University, and U.S. Department of Agriculture
cooperating; HA. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette. IN.
Issued in furtherance of the acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is an equal
opportunity/equal access institution
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