Month: November 2021

Ag Injury News Report

10/11/2021: Woman critically injured after tractor collision with horse and buggy near Kincardine

10/03/2021: Boy, 9, Killed In ATV Crash; 10-Year-Old Driver Survives

10/02/2021: Motorcyclist injured in collision with hay rake

9/26/2021: Alcohol suspected in Oliver tractor rollover that sent man to hospital

9/19/2021: Man killed in Spencer area farming accident

9/18/2021: 67-year-old man dies in tractor crash just outside of Perth, Ont., OPP say

9/13/2021: Semi, tractor collision sends two to hospital in Schuyler County

Effects of Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation can affect driving in many ways. It can make the driver less attentive, slow the driver’s reaction time, and affect their ability to make decisions. When experiencing sleep deprivation, it is much easier to make costly mistakes because of a slowed reaction time. This leads to an increase in injury.

Drowsy driving is a problem across all of the United States and affects many farmers. Drowsy driving causes nearly 6,000 fatal crashes each year and a total of 83,000 crashes. It is important to remember to always get sleep and that if you are too tired to drive, turn the wheel over to someone else.

Drowsy driving is similar to drunk driving. Being awake for 18 hours is the equivalent of someone having a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. Being awake for 24 hours is the equivalent of someone having a blood alcohol content of 0.10%. This is higher than the legal limit of 0.08% BAC in all states.

Ways to prevent drowsy driving are:

Get enough sleep. The average adult requires a minimum of 7 hours of sleep a day.
Stick to a sleep schedule and develop good sleeping habits.
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you sleepy before driving or operating equipment.

The effects of drowsy driving do not only affect those who operate motor vehicles; they also affect those operating combines and various other farm equipment. Working long hours during harvest season can result in sleep deprivation for farmers.

Information courtesy of the CDC

Charlie Westbrook

Hometown: Rock Hill, SC

Position: Owner of Cherry Place Farm

I farm with my son, Charlie III, and my daughter, Bailey. Charlie graduated from Clemson (Ag. Mech. ’17), and Bailey graduated from Anderson University ’20.  We grow Strawberries in the Spring and produce in the Summer. We run a Corn Maze/ Pumpkin Patch in the Fall and sell Christmas trees/wreaths in the Winter.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
Because we are primarily an Agritourism farm, safety is essential. I deal with some form of safety almost every day. Whether it’s spreading Fire Ant bait, spraying chemicals on crops, smoothing walking areas to decrease tripping hazards, or working on equipment, safety factors into all areas of agriculture.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
In my opinion, people today are very removed from what it takes to farm or be around farming.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on middle to high school age children?
One thing that can be very effective for training school-age children is to hold Farm safety day camps in the summertime. We have hosted several over the years that were connected to Clemson Extension and Progressive Farmer.

What does your position do to mitigate accidents on the job?
We do to educate the public about safety is to place signage in places that will be easily seen. Also, we train employees to communicate with visitors about being safe while there.

What is the biggest concern teaching adults about safety precautions?
Agricultural safety does not have to be scary for people; there just needs to be an understanding that when you are at a farm, be aware of your surroundings, and it will keep you safe.