Clemson Agricultural Safety

Safety Spotlight – June 2020

Mrs. Epperly grew up in Orangeburg, SC where her father owns a tree nursery. She spent a lot of her time growing up doing a multitude of tasks related to the business, piquing her interest in agriculture. After graduating from Clemson, she now teaches Horticulture at Mauldin High School.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
HTE: Due to the nature of our classes, agricultural safety comes up every day in the classroom- especially when we do our unit for greenhouse and equipment safety. It is very important to make sure the students understand the importance and necessity for safety in everything that we do.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
HTE: Before working in the greenhouse or with a machine, safety is taught through a lesson plan to show students what they will experience in the situation before it occurs. Generally, hands-on application and explanations help the students learn how to safely operate machines or tools.

Describe the impacts that a safety intervention can have on children.
HTE: Most children do not have the life experience to understand why something is not safe. Having an adult or another authority figure explains the unsafe situation to them, gives them the experience they need to be safe.

How do you approach teaching safety procedures in your classroom?
HTE: I like to teach safety in the classroom through lesson plans before the children are put into a new situation. I find that it’s best to use a hands-on application and be proactive in teaching about safety measures. I am sure to show students every part of any tool or job that could be unsafe and explain how to take certain steps to be safe with the equipment.

Check out @mauldinffa on Instagram to see what some of Mrs. Epperly’s students are up to!

Submitted by Holden Terry Epperly



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