AgDARE - Agricultural Disability Awareness and Risk Education

Spinal Cord Injury - Study Sheet (Teacher's Guide)

1. What factors play a role in spinal cord injuries on the farm?
equipment; poor repair of buildings, flooring, ladders

2. What are the three most common type of incidents that lead to spinal cord injury?
falls, tractor overturns, not paying attention

3. Name two types of incidents involving tractors that could cause injury.
overturns, falls, pulling stumps

4. What farm activities can result in falls leading to spinal cord injury?
driving on uneven terrain (overturns), falls from heights (ladders, silos), slips and trips (ice, slippery surfaces), using an ATV, extra riders, hitching too high

5. How can spinal cord injury occur when operating an ATV?
being thrown from the ATV or a rollover and being pinned

6. Aside from machinery, what can cause spinal cord injuries to occur on farms?
falls, animal injuries (being crushed or kicked), rushing farm work

7. Besides the medical bills, what other expenses result from spinal cord
injuries?
house modifications, equipment modifications, car modifications, lifts, labor replacement

8. What are the long-term physical consequences of spinal injury?
frequent bladder infections, blood pressure problems, blood clots, depression, muscle wasting

9. How can a spinal cord injury affect the people around you?
financial and emotional stress, physical labor

10. Name one rule for safe tractor operation.

• Use a ROPS and fasten the seatbelt.
  
• Pay attention to the task.
  
• Use good decisions when driving.

11. What precautions should you take when operating an ATV?
be familiar with where you are riding, wear safety gear, reasonable speed

12. When climbing in barns, or on ladders or equipment, what factor should you consider first?
condition of what you will be climbing on

13. Name three safety innovations that can prevent spinal cord injuries in agricultural occupations.
ROPS and seat belts, seat cutoffs (common on riding mowers), helmets for ATV riders, caged ladders on silos

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