Farm Safety Camp Manual

  • Hartley, Judy
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This Safety Camp Manual is designed to help organize a Safety Camp for children ages 8-12. It includes direction on various activities that can be used to teach children and the surrounding community about safety in Agriculture.


Tractor Safety


Goal:
Reduce and prevent tractor injuries to youth .

Objectives:
Campers will be able to
    Describe Two Main Types of Tractor Injuries
    Identify Safety Precautions to Help Prevent Tractor Injury
    Explore Tractor Blind Spots
    Describe Causes of Entanglement Injury
    Provide Location Information for Emergency Situations
Tractors:
Rollovers and runovers are the main types of tractor incidents seen in Georgia. In the last ten years there have been 49 deaths in Georgia involving tractor rollovers or runovers. Most could have been prevented if precautions had been taken.

  • Rollover occurs when a tractor turns over either partially or completely. When would you think a tractor would rollover?
    1. Steep slopes
    2. Rough, uneven ground (holes, mounds, debris, rocks)
    3. Stuck or mired rear wheels
    4. Driving too fast
    5. Improper use of front end loaders
  • Runovers occur when a tractor rides over or is driven over a person. When do you think this is most likely to happen?
    1. When repairing a tractor
    2. When an extra rider falls off the tractor (One seat, one rider)
    3. When the driver falls off the tractor
    Prevention:
    1. Reducing Rollover Risk (At the end of this section, tractor safety information is available in the form of a handout for campers to take home to adults)
    • Steep slopes - back up
    • Uneven ground - check ground for debris, rocks, etc.
    • Stuck or mired wheels - avoid wet/muddy fields
    • Driving too fast - drive slowly
    • Front end loaders - keep loads low; tractors - hitch low and only to draw bar
    • Most rollover injuries can be prevented or reduced if a tractor has a ROPS (rollover protective structure) AND the driver wears a seatbelt. The ROPS alone will not protect a person. The driver must wear the seatbelt to keep within the "protected zone" of the ROPS in the event of a rollover. Tractors without a ROPS should not have a seatbelt. Encourage your parents or adults on your farm to wear their seatbelt if the tractor has a ROPS.
    2. Reducing Runover Risk
    • Repairing a tractor - chock wheels and turn engine off when not in driver's seat. Also, be aware that tractor exhaust fumes are deadly in a closed building
    • Dismounting tractor with engine on - Turn engine off when not in driver's seat
    • Extra rider falls off tractor - No extra riders. Who is an extra rider on a tractor? Anyone other than the driver. One seat, one person on a tractor!
    • Driver falls off tractor - the tractor has a ROPS AND the DRIVER WEARS a Seatbelt.

    Tractor Blind Spots

    Usually a local tractor dealer will provide a tractor with a ROPS. Park the tractor on a level spot, turn engine off, brake, remove key, and chock wheels for the following stationary demonstration:

    Divide the class into groups of 6-7 campers. Select one person from each group to sit in the driver's seat. Blindfold the child in the driver's seat. Have the other campers hide around the stationary/parked tractor. Once everyone in the group has hidden, take the blindfold off of the camper in the driver's seat and ask when will it be safe for me to start the tractor? Is the area clear? Reveal the hiding place of one child at a time and after each one ask if all is clear? (Never starting tractor during the demonstration). Repeat with each group. Usually the number of blind spots amazes everyone.
    PREVENTION: Never play or hide around tractors.

    Entanglements

    Unshielded PTO (power take-off) shafts can quickly entangle loose fitting clothing and body parts as the PTO spins around. Pants legs, drawstrings on a hood, loose hair, or even a shirt sleeve can become entangled. Injuries happen very quickly (1000 RPM will pull in an object at 13.1 feet per second). Can be demonstrated with straw filled dummy.

    PREVENTION:
    • Shield PTO's. If missing, the PTO shield should be replaced.
    • Always walk around an operating PTO, NOT over the PTO.
    • Do not wear loose fitting clothing or loose, long hair around any machinery with moving parts, including a PTO.(Ponytails, shoelaces can get entangled).
    • Power should be disengaged and the engine turned off before trying to manually clear a clogged machine.
    • Any rotating shaft is a potential wrap point (hay baler, PTO, auger)
    Word Identification List:
    SMV (slow moving vehicle) emblem
    Machine
    Entanglement
    Power Take Off
    Rider
    Rollover
    ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure)
    Seat Belt
    Tractor
    Truck/Farm Vehicles

    Farm Vehicles: Trucks and Wagons
    No riders in the back of pickup trucks and when riding inside, wear a seatbelt.

    Emergency Information

    Know who to call in an emergency - Have children practice calling 911 or local emergency number (if 911 calls are taught in first aid/first responder, only need to reinforce) and make sure to explain the importance of having written directions to the farm next to all phones.

    TRACTOR SAFETY
    Reminders for Parents/Adults

    Rollover Prevention
    • Steep slopes - back up
    • Uneven ground - check ground for debris, rocks, etc.
    • Stuck or mired wheels - avoid wet/muddy fields
    • Driving too fast - drive slowly
    • Front end loaders - keep loads low; tractors - hitch low and only to draw bar
    • Most rollover injuries can be prevented or reduced if a tractor has a ROPS (rollover protective structure) AND the driver wears a seatbelt. The ROPS alone will not protect a person. The driver must wear the seatbelt to keep within the "protected zone" of the ROPS in the event of a rollover. Tractors without a ROPS should not have a seatbelt. Encourage adults on your farm to wear their seatbelt if the tractor has a ROPS.
    Runover Prevention
    • Repairing a tractor - chock wheels and turn engine off when not in driver's seat. Also, be aware that tractor exhaust fumes are deadly in a closed building
    • Dismounting tractor with engine on - Turn engine off when not in driver's seat
    • Extra rider falls off tractor - No extra riders. Who is an extra rider on a tractor? Anyone other than the driver. One seat, one person on a tractor!
    General Tractor Safety
    • Tractors should not be operated on highways without flashing lights and reflective SMV emblems. Any vehicle or machinery that operates at speeds less than 25 mph should have SMV emblems displayed on the rear of any machinery, even if being towed.
    • Watch for greasy or oily steps when mounting tractor Clean shoes or boots before mounting the tractor. Never mount or dismount a tractor that is in gear, falling could result in run over. Use handrails
    • When moving equipment, always check for low hanging power lines to prevent the possibility of electrocution.
    • Watch for low hanging limbs that could hit the driver.
    • Never touch the hydraulic line with your bare hand. If you suspect a leak use a piece of cardboard or some other material to check for a fluid leak. The fluid can "inject" into the skin and tissue if the line is pressurized when it is touched.
    • When mowing be sure area is free of debris.
    • Be aware of pinch points which are found where two parts run together and at least one is rotating. Pinch points can easily injure fingers, hands, arms, and feet.
    • Always stop the engine before making repairs or removing clogs.
    • Refuel with care. Find a secure position from which to refuel. Turn off the engine and Do NOT Smoke
    • Before putting hands into equipment, disengage and turn off equipment.
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    • 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

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