Month: June 2022

Ag Injury News Report

6/05/2022: Man Killed in Tractor Accident in McKean
6/02/2022:1 hurt after tractor incident in Trempealeau County
6/02/2022:Man rescued from Spencer County grain bin
6/01/2022:Rural Dodge man dies in tractor accident
5/31/2022:UPDATE: Heyworth man identified as victim of fatal farm tractor-semi crash
5/30/2022:16-year-old seriously injured in tractor-locomotive crash
5/21/2022:New Hampshire woman struck, killed by vehicle while working at family’s farm stand in Massachusetts, DA says

Questions

1. People over the age of ____ are at the highest risk of heat stress.
2. True or false: high humidity has no effect on your body’s ability to cool you down.
3. What should you never leave in your car on hot days?
4. True or false: lightweight clothes should be worn on hot days.
5. Hot weather can cause __________ __________, ___________, and __________.

Answers

1. 65
2. False
3. Children or pets
4. True
5. heat-related illness, injury, and death

Hot Weather Safety

High temperatures during the summer months kill hundreds of people every year. It is important to stay cool and hydrated when working in hot weather. There are many ways to protect yourself from heat and sun exposure including, drinking water, limiting outdoor activity in the hottest part of the day, and wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.

Those who are at the highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illnesses.

Factors affecting your body’s ability to cool you down

1. High humidity: high humidity reduces the amount of sweat that can evaporate from your body and keeps you from releasing heat.
2. Personal factors: Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use all affect your body’s ability to cool you down in hot weather.

Everyone should take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and death during hot weather:

• As often as possible, stay in air-conditioned locations.
• Continually drink water even if you are not thirsty.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
• Pace yourself, take breaks as you feel needed.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
• Never leave children or pets in cars.
• Check the local news for health and safety updates.

Ag Injury News Report

5/20/2022: Horse kicks teen in the chest so hard he goes into cardiac arrest, Oklahoma family says
5/18/2022: La Crosse Co. man dies after getting pinned under tractor
5/17/2022: Man killed in tractor rollover in Ottawa
5/17/2022: Hillman man survives side-by-side crash, Tuesday
5/08/2022: 2-year-old child dies in farm machinery accident in Monroe County, authorities say
5/05/2022: Oliver Fire Department rescues farm worker pinned under ATV
5/04/2022: Rescuers: Man pulled to safety after trapped in grain bin for hours

Questions

1. True or false – the best time to perform maintenance on a center pivot is during a storm.
2. What should you do if you notice a center pivot spraying on a powerline or transformer?
3. True or false – you should not wear loose-fitting clothes while working around power transmitting devices?
4. What should not be in the path of a center pivot?
5. Hand and foot holds are not considered ___________.

Answers

1. False
2. Do not touch the system and call the power company
3. True
4. Vehicles, structures, or human beings
5. Ladders

Center Pivot Safety

Voltage Tester Tutorial

Irrigation Hazard – Lightning

Stay away from center pivots during storms. These large metal structures act as receptors for lightning due to their height in large open areas.

Irrigation Hazards – Spraying Water on Powerlines

If you notice water from an irrigation system spraying on a powerline or transformer, do not touch the system and call the power company. Electrical current can be carried through the water and could result in electric shock.

Irrigation Hazard – Entanglements

Never approach an unguarded PTO, belt, or other power transmitting device. Alert others around you and the owner if you find a hazard. Never wear loose-fitting clothing or have long hair down while working around a PTO shaft or other power transmitting device.

Irrigation Hazard – Falls

Oftentimes, there may be foot or hand holds present on a center pivot. These are NOT ladders! Ladders must be properly anchored and angled before scaling a center pivot.

Irrigation Hazard – Run Overs

Keep vehicles and other structures out of the path of a center pivot. These structures have excellent traction and can scale vehicles, buildings, and human beings.

* Images courtesy of Gregory Stark *