Tractor SafetyIntroduction

Set 1

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Marissa MortonSAAIP Top Jobs Intern

The Work Environment

• What factors influence farm work and injury risk?

– Weather– Work Sites– Emergency Services– Personal Hygiene – Environmental Hazards (such as noise,

vibration, lightning, dust, etc.)

The Work Environment

• What are some physical factors that influence farm work and risk of injury?– Young Workers– Senior Workers– Minimal Physical Limits– Physical Exams– Special Care for physical or mental conditions– Transfers to light duty– Dispersion of Workforce – Farm Operators

The Work Environment

• What are some work activity factors that influence farm work and risk injury?– Work Hours– Labor and Management Functions– Work Pace– Work Routine– Specialization– Instructions– Holidays and Vacations– Labor Demands– Uncertainty– Agricultural Production

The Work Environment

• Social, Economic, and Political Factors that influence farm work and risk of injury:– Lifestyle– Agrarianism– Day Care– Occupational Safety and Health Legislation– Cultural Beliefs about Farm Safety and Health– Market Forces– Self-reliance for safety– Enculturation

Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture

• The U.S. Department of Labor declared in 1969 that many agricultural tasks are harmful for youth under age 16

• Youths age 14 and 15 may be exempt from parts of the law (applies to ag. tractors and some farm machinery)

• Penalty for an employer subjecting youth to hazardous occupations:– 1st offense—$10,000– 2nd offense—$10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6

months

OSHA—Occupational Safety and Health Act

• If a farm operator uses only their own labor or their own family labor, OSHA does not have jurisdiction in the operation

• OSHA was effective in 1971

• “Small Farm Exemption” (farms employing fewer than 10 workers are OSHA restricted from expending farm funds to enforce rules)—effective since 1976

Worker’s Compensation

• Workers Compensation Insurance fund must be paid for farm operations to cover medical and rehabilitation costs for workers injured on the job.

• Cost of the program is high, so employers should take time to train workers in safety and see that they have a safe work attitude.

Worker Protection Standard

• EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) aims to reduce risk of pesticide poisoning and injuries among agriculture workers and pesticide handlers.

• WPS protects over 3.5 million people and over 560,000 workplaces that deal with pesticides.

Vehicle Codes

• Rules and regulations vary from state to state• Some states may define highways and public

roads differently• Properly using SMV (slow moving vehicle) signs

is very important• Check load restrictions for length, width, height,

and safety chains• Be aware of rules regarding farm use only

trucks, riders/passengers in truck beds, and farm ATV use.

HOOA—Hazardous Occupations Order in Agriculture

• Prohibited Work for 14 and 15 year olds:• Handling animal sires or sows and cows

with newborns in the pen or corral• Working more than 20 feet above the

ground• Working with category I and II agricultural

Chemicals• Handling and using explosives and

anhydrous ammonia

ROPS—Tractor Rollover Protection

• Required on all tractors operated by employees since 1976

• Employers need to provide safe operating instructions and insure that seatbelts are used by the employee on ROPS equipped tractors

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Operating Instructions

• Operating Instructions that are provided by the employer include:– Avoid Ditches, embankments, and holes– Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and on

rough, slick, or muddy areas– Careful around row ends, on roads, around trees– Do not allow extra riders on tractors– Operate tractors smoothly by avoiding jerky starts,

turns, and stops– Hitch only to the drawbar or other recommended

hitch points– Set brakes and use park lock when tractor is stopped

Agriculture and OSHA

• All PTO’s need to be equipped with a guard

• Accident prevention signs must be displayed

• Confined spaces should be explained to the employee (areas such as grain bins, silos, manure pits, elevators, and atmosphere storages)

• OSHA website is a good resource for agricultural related information

Environmental Regulations

• There are federal, state, and/or local ordinances for the following areas:– Water pollution– Air pollution– Drinking water standards– Pesticide rules and regulations– Shifting load violations– Used tire disposal– Trash burning hours and rules– Battery disposal– Oil and fuel spills– Used oil disposal– Sink hole protection– Manure spreading

*Check with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for laws regarding these areas*

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Safety and Health Resources

• State Level Resources– Cooperative Extension Service (offices in

each county)– Agriculture and Extension Education program

specialists in 4-H and FFA at – College of Agriculture specialists– Farm Bureau Safety Leaders– Department of Health– State Fire Instructors

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Safety and Health Resources

• Community Level Resources– State Police and/or Highway Patrol– County Coroner (investigations for farm-related fatalities)– Regional Department of Agriculture– Local Health Departments

• Private Sources– Electrical service suppliers– Machinery dealers– Veterinarians– Local doctors and nurses– Ag. Pesticide representatives– EMS– Insurance Companies– American Red Cross