Clemson Agricultural Safety

Month: May 2021

Holden Epperly Safety Spotlight – June 2020

May 6, 2021

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

Katherine Helms Safety Spotlight – July 2020

May 6, 2021

Katherine manages three commodity boards at SCDA that are all checkoff programs. She is also the marketing specialist of those three commodities. Katherine’s life has been centered around agriculture, as she comes from a family farm, where she is proud to say she is the third generation. Their family farm has changed over the years as farming has evolved. Her family also owns and operates a small tractor and equipment business. Katherine is proud that her roots run deep in agriculture.

How did you hear about the Ag Safety program?
KH: I am a Clemson Alumni and the program was just beginning when I graduated in 2018. I made sure to stay in the loop and be on the mailing list, as I knew that my profession would be in agriculture. I wanted to keep up with the latest news on ag safety.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
KH: Quite often I hear my farmers talking about an employee being injured or they themselves almost experiencing an injury. I mainly work with farmers who are operating large equipment and they often see that their employees are not as safety-oriented as expected of them. It is extremely important for farmers and others in agriculture to be safe, as this is their livelihood and one mistake could change all of that.

What do you think is the biggest concern regarding agricultural safety?
KH: I think the biggest concern regarding agricultural safety, to be blunt, is to not lose a life. So many times we hear of farmers or farm workers losing their lives because of one small mistake. I think it is always extremely important to remain cautious when performing tasks. If someone is not comfortable completing a task or operating a piece of machinery, they most certainly should ask for help or seek further training.

Is there enough being done to teach agricultural safety in our state schools?
KH: I think that the FFA does an amazing job teaching high school students, but there is always a gap. I do believe that there should be outlets for students not involved in FFA or who did not grow up in agricultural settings, to access this important information. A simple safety intervention as an adolescent can be something that they take with them throughout their lives. Being exposed to the dangers in agriculture during a child’s growth in high school can catch their attention and leave them more aware of other situations later in life.

Do you have any advice for the agricultural sector in this time of uncertainty?
KH: As we continue to adjust to what is referred to as the “new normal,” I encourage all of those in the agricultural sector to remain cautious and stay healthy, as farmers and their employees are the ones in charge of our food supply!

Submitted by Katherine Helms

Updates – July 2020

May 6, 2021

Good News!

In last month’s newsletter, we learned some causes for grain entrapment, and the difference between grain entrapment and grain engulfment. Here is a story of two men surviving grain entrapment.

Ag Injury News Report – July 2020

May 6, 2021

AG INJURY NEWS

06/02/2020: Orangeburg County man dies after vehicle strikes tractor

06/05/2020: Wisconsin man dies attempting to pass tractor on roadway

06/08/2020: Missouri man dies from heat exhaustion complications

06/10/2020: North Dakota woman dies in grain engulfment incident

06/17/2020: Young boy injured from tractor accident

06/20/2020: North Carolina crop duster dies after striking dove line

Source: https://www.aginjurynews.org/

Jessica Cabrera Safety Spotlight – August 2020

May 6, 2021

“In my job at Farm Bureau, I work to manage and improve the member experience, train volunteer leaders within the organization, and develop the leadership experiences and capabilities of our members through the collegiate, YF&R and AG Leaders programs. Working with farmers and supporting the agriculture industry is such a wonderful privilege.”

What has been your level of involvement in the Clemson University Ag Safety program?
JC: SC Farm Bureau Federation is happy to collaborate with the Ag Safety program whenever possible. We have enjoyed partnering to provide safety field days for youth and we were thankful to have the program represented at our 2020 Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Charleston, SC for a powerful breakout session. Farm Bureaus across the country have a long history of supporting safety programs for agricultural communities. We were thankful to see the initiative that Clemson University has taken in promoting Ag Safety Education.

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture be safe?
JC: I’ve learned that farmers are extremely committed and dedicated to the work that they do, to the point of putting their own health and safety at risk in order to finish a job. We need every single farmer in the state of South Carolina; it is extremely important for every one of them to stay safe in order to continue contributing in such a meaningful way to their families and communities.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
JC: To be honest, we find that many farmers don’t want to take time out of their schedule to talk about safety, so we have to find creative ways to have the discussion. The State YF&R Committee hosted a session at the Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference called “Near Death Farm Experiences” and it ended up being one of the most powerful popular sessions. I find that testimonial is one of the most powerful tools for talking about safety.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
JC: Every safety risk is a big concern, but I’d say a “growing” concern is roadway safety. Farmers are already at high risk while doing everyday chores that put them in harm’s way ON THE FARM; it is devastating that traveling from field to field ON THE ROAD is also dangerous for them.

Why is safety necessary?
JC: Safety is like anything else in life that we do well – we must create the habit of doing things safely. I have two sons – I want them to be completely capable of taking care of themselves and others well, so talking about safe practices is part of our everyday life. We have to cultivate safe behaviors – they will not just grow on their own.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
JC: I believe the #1 priority is to teach youth and college students. There are more and more young people who did not grow up on a farm entering into agricultural careers. Without that homegrown education, it is pertinent that young people learn how to operate safely through community and school-based educational initiatives.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on the agricultural community?
JC: The ag sector is strong, vibrant, and smart – we can make the biggest impression on this community by giving them what they need to be successful – education, opportunity, support, and most of all – a belief that they are vital to our lives and well-being.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
JC: Forge strong partnerships at every level and identify ambassadors for the cause who care about the issues. The strength of Farm Bureau is its grassroots structure because we are organized around the idea that unifying many voices around a common issue is more impactful than a singular voice with concern. To spread awareness about agricultural safety, people must tell their stories and motivate others to care about the issue.

Do you have any advice for the agricultural sector in this time of uncertainty?
JC: At a time like this, the importance of our safe, affordable, and abundant food supply is more evident than ever. It is in the best interest of all of society for each of us to care about the well-being of our farmers. We must all take part in ensuring our farmers are safe, secure and able to continue working hard for us every day.

Submitted by Jessica Cabrera

Perry Loftis Safety Spotlight – September 2020

May 6, 2021

“I am currently working on a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences while working full-time at Savannah River Site as a firefighter/EMT. I grew up in the rural town of Starr, SC where I spent the majority of my time helping my grandfather on his farm. When I entered high school, I joined the FFA and began to work part-time for a large cow/calf operation in Iva, SC. In June of 2011, I was elected to serve as the State President for the South Carolina FFA Association, and in the fall of 2011, I began my journey at the greatest University in the Nation. Originally, I had hopes of going to medical school but also wanted an agriculture degree so I enrolled in Wildlife Fisheries and Biology. During my undergraduate career, I was involved in the Block and Bridle Club, Wildlife Society, FarmHouse Fraternity, and worked part-time for the Clemson University Fire Department. Since I grew up only 45 minutes away I would travel home most weekends (when there was not a home football game of course) to bale hay, feed cows, build fences, or just help out where I could. Somewhere along the way, I decided against going to medical school, so upon graduating in December of 2015, I began an MS degree in Plant and Environmental Sciences at Edisto REC in Blackville, SC. My master’s research consisted mostly of designing and implementing new technology for hay balers. I worked under the direction of Dr. Kendall Kirk to install and test a yield monitor on a hay baler that was developed by a prior graduate student. We also developed a weighing system for round balers equipped with a spring-loaded bale ramp. After graduating in December of 2017, I went to work as a firefighter/EMT at Savannah River Site. My primary reason for taking the position at Savannah River Site was the work schedule (24/72). The three days off between shifts allows me to continue working at Edisto REC, where I am currently working on a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences.”

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture to be safe?
PJL: Everyone depends on agriculture in some way or another. Farmers and agricultural workers have one of the most important jobs in the world, to provide food and other natural resources for everyone else. There are many tasks farmers perform that can be dangerous, no matter how “routine” they might be. In order for us to go home safe at the end of the day and continue to provide food and natural resources to everyone else, we must maintain a mindset of safety in everything that we do.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
PJL: I believe the biggest concern regarding agriculture safety is complacency, especially for farmers and workers who have several years of experience. The more we repeat a specific task, the more comfortable we become performing it regardless of the dangers that might be associated, and the less vigilant we are.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
PJL: The best way to teach agricultural safety is through hands-on learning with props/simulators. There is only so much information that can be retained through lecturing. Take the grain bin entrapment simulator that Hunter Massey and his group are currently working on; a student will have a much better understanding of the danger of grain entrapment after actually feeling the amount of pressure that can be exerted on the body in just a few inches, rather than hearing about it from a lecturer. Although it is not feasible to create a prop for every topic of agriculture safety, having a few good ones to use in conjunction with lecturing will have a greater impact on the importance of safety.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
PJL: Newsletters like this one are a great way to spread awareness about safety issues, but I believe there is a lot more that can be done too. Presenting safety topics at field days help at the Research and Education Centers is an excellent way to reach the farmers and workers who are at the highest risk for an accident to occur. Agriculture Safety Days like the one held last October on the campus of John de la Howe are great for reaching out to high school students, and starting them off on the right foot with safe habits as they begin their agriculture careers. Lastly, but probably the most effective way to spread awareness about safety issues is through social media outlets, nearly everyone has a Facebook or Instagram, and these outlets can be used to share information regarding safety topics in agriculture.

Submitted by Perry J. Loftis