Year: 2023

Winter Roadway Safety

With colder temperatures ahead of us this season, it is important to remember to be alert for snowy or icy roads. Icy roads can be very dangerous and affect your ability to keep control of your vehicle. Always remember to be on the lookout for wet areas that may have black ice that is not visible. Black ice is a thin layer of clear ice that may be difficult to see, especially during night. Icy spots are commonly found before and after bridges, in shady areas, and on/off ramps.

Things to remember when operating your vehicle in winter weather:

• When behind another vehicle, reduce your speed and leave ample room between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. During winter weather, it takes longer to stop your vehicle, making it imperative that you level extra room.
• When braking, gently press your brakes. Only apply full pressure to your brakes if you have anti-locking brakes (ABS). If you do not have ABS, gently pump the pedal to come to a stop.
• Never assume that your vehicle can handle all winter weather conditions. Even if you have four-wheel drive, you still may encounter trouble while operating your vehicle in winter conditions.
• If your vehicle begins to skid, remove your foot from the accelerator and steer in the direction that you are skidding. This will help you overcome the skid and regain control of your vehicle.
• If you get stuck in snow, do not repeatedly spin your wheels. This will cause you to become more stuck. Instead, gently press the accelerator and ease out if possible. If you must be pulled out of the snow, never use a chain. The tension on the chain may cause it to snap and sling forward into the vehicle pulling you out. Instead, use a tow strap made of cloth.

Questions

1. When is it most difficult to see where black ice is on a roadway? 
2. Where are some common places where black ice is found on roadways? 
3. If your vehicle is equipped with ABS, what should you do when applying the brakes? 
4. True or False: If you begin to skid, you should steer away from the direction that you are skidding. 
5. True or False: If your vehicle is stuck, you should never use a chain to pull your vehicle out because it could snap. 

Answers

1. At night
2. Before and after bridges, in shady areas, and on/off ramps
3. Apply full pressure to your brakes.
4. False, you should steer in the direction of the skid.
5. True, you should only use a tow strap to pull out a stuck vehicle.

Ag Injury News Report

10/17/2023: Tractor rollover results in Odon man’s death
10/16/2023: Cherokee County man killed in tractor accident, coroner says
10/11/2023: IA Farmer Dies in Grain Bin Entrapment
10/11/2023: Stark County man, 65, dies after machinery overturns during pond construction
10/10/2023: Seminary boy critically injured in ATV accident
10/10/2023: Child buried up to head in corn-filled grain bin rescued in Pennsylvania
10/9/2023: Combine Driver Dies After Train Collision Near Firth

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Many people experience mood changes or where they do not really feel like themselves when the seasons change and the weather begins to get colder. This is especially common in the farming community because being outside in the sun and warmer weather is part of a farmer’s livelihood. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also commonly known as seasonal depression is common among all walks of life and is often attributed to the shorter days and colder weather. While seasonal depression can look different for everyone, some common symptoms of SAD are oversleeping, overeating and weight gain, and social withdrawal.

Tips to curb your seasonal depression:

• Only try to control what you can. Sometimes, a bad day on the farm can make you feel like you have a bad life. Always try to see the bright side and remember that these colder and shorter days will soon end with the coming of Spring.
• Limit your intake of social media and news outlets. When the days get shorter, many are forced to spend more time inside consuming news and media. This can cause you to look differently on your life and make you feel like your life, farm, or family is less than the others around you. Remember that social media is not always true and keep a positive outlook on what is in front of you.
• Find something to look forward to in both the short-term and long-term. Look for both little and big things that keep your mind off the weather and daylight. This can help keep you out of a slump in the colder months and give you a reason to keep progressing forward.
• Take time to socialize during the off months of farming. This time of the year is perfect for you, your family, and your friends to spend quality time together that is so often missed during the busy farming season. This also gives you something to look forward to and, once again, keeps you mind off of sadness.

Questions

1. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is also commonly known as ___________ _____________.
2. What are the three common symptoms of SAD?
3. What are the two main causes of SAD?
4. True or False: Finding little and big things to look forward to during the colder months can help curb SAD.
5. True or False: You should consume as much news and social media during the colder months because everything you see is true and your life is not as good as those around you.

Answers

1. Seasonal Depression
2. Oversleeping, overeating and weight gain, and social withdrawal are three common symptoms of SAD.
3. Shorter days and colder weather are two main causes of SAD.
4. True
5. False

Ag Injury News

9/3/2023: Man, 55, dies in central Pa. farm accident: farm worker was discovered deceased in a silo unloading chute.
8/30/2023: Update: Milford crash leaves one dead, injures another
8/29/2023: Child Dead After Garvin County All-Terrain Vehicle Crash, OHP Says
8/26/2023: Authorities ID Man Killed in Bull Attack at Minnesota Farm
8/25/2023: Names released in Lincoln County fatal car versus tractor crash
8/24/2023: Car wreck involving tractor in Knox County sends one to the hospital
8/21/2023: Iowa man dies after being struck by tractor

Questions

1. Before attaching or detaching your PTO, you should do what?
2. What are the three things that should be done or checked before traveling on a roadway?
3. If your machine is equipped with a ROPS, what should you do?
4. True or False: Taking rest, having adequate meals, and having a good night’s rest do not affect your ability to stay alert.
5. Before allowing youth to complete a task, what should you do?

Answers

1. Always turn the machine off before attaching or detaching your PTO.
2. Ensure that all lights are working properly, the slow-moving vehicle sign is on and visible, and that the left and right brakes are locked together.
3. Always wear your seatbelt if the equipment has a ROPS or cab.
4. False
5. Ensure that they are properly trained and that the task is suitable for their size and skill set.

Ag Injury News Report

8/17/2023: Iowa Co. man flown to hospital after being hit by bull
8/16/2023: Huron County man, 81, seriously injured when tractor runs over him
8/15/2023: Humphrey man dies in grain bin accident east of Lindsay
8/12/2023: Ag Briefs: 85 year old Eldorado man dies in farm accident
8/9/2023: 3 Floridians dead after falling into cistern while hog hunting
8/6/2023: Man dead in tractor rollover crash on violini road
8/5/2023: 64-year-old Mississippi man killed in tractor accident

Harvest Safety

Harvest time can be very stressful for all involved. With stress often comes shortcuts, and safety is often forgotten about. While many believe that this may save them time, in the event of an accident, more time is lost because those injured may no longer be able to assist with the harvest. Follow these tips below to stay safe during harvest season.

Equipment
Much of the equipment that is used on farms is older and might lack the safety features that are required on newer equipment. With this in mind, always be cautious and aware when using older equipment to ensure that you and your employees do not become injured. Also, if your equipment is equipped with a ROPS (Roll – Over Protective Structure) or a cab, ensure that you put your seatbelt on before traveling. Always remember to check that all guards are in place and that all lights are properly working to alert others on the road that there is a slow-moving vehicle ahead of them.

Turn off the machine.
Before attaching and detaching your PTO or cleaning debris from any implement, ensure that you have turned off your machine. On older machines specifically, the PTO can become engaged by the rattling of the engine resulting in a potential entanglement with the PTO or implement. Turning off the machine also ensures that others can not engage the PTO if they do not know that you are working around the implement.

Take ample breaks and ensure a good night’s rest.
During harvest season, often farmers and workers will work long hours with little sleep, breaks, and meals. It is important to take breaks and eat meals so that you stay alert, to not only keep yourself safe but also keep your workers safe. Also, remember to stay hydrated because even though we are now in the fall season, the weather in much of the state is still very warm, and heat exhaustion or stroke are still ever present.

Youth safety during the fall harvest season.
Youth are often called to work during the fall harvest season as an extra set of hands. Before allowing youth to complete a task, ensure that they are properly trained and that the task is suitable for their size and skill set. Remember that they are not as experienced as you and need additional guidance and supervision on the task at hand.

Traveling on roadways.
Many farms across the state must access public roadways to reach other fields. Before venturing on the roadways, ensure that all lights are working properly, your slow-moving vehicle sign is visible, and that your left and right brakes are locked together. It is also recommended to travel public roadways during less busy times to avoid passenger vehicles on roadways. If possible, always have a lead vehicle and a follow vehicle. This will limit how close other passenger vehicles can come to you on the road.

Questions

1. During exercise, ________ ________ increase to the brain, helping keep it healthy. 
2. True or False: Your brain is like your biceps. If you do not use it, you will lose it. 
3. Getting a good night’s rest promotes _________. 
4. True or False: The brain is the most important organ in the body. 
5. Before operating an ATV, UTV, or other vehicle where the rider might fall off, what should be worn? 

Answers

1. Blood flow
2. True
3. Memory
4. True
5. A helmet to help reduce the risk of trauma to the brain.