Year: 2024

Questions

1. What is the recommended number of layers for working in the cold?
2. Roughly how much of your body heat is lost through your head and neck?
3. How long does it take for frostbite to set in during extreme cold?
4. True or False: When working in the cold, you should drink plenty of water and have a snack to build up your energy.
5. True or False: In the cold, you should start working as soon as the sun comes up to get everything done as soon as possible. 

Answers

1. 3 layers
2. 50%
3. 10 – 30 minutes
4. True
5. False

While we don’t see much winter weather in South Carolina, we are no strangers to bitter cold days. While most other occupations are inside on those cold days, farmers find themselves braving the cold to tend to crops and livestock. To help combat the cold, make sure to cover as much exposed skin as possible. Gloves and hats can help retain much needed body heat.

1. Wear the proper clothing
   • Dressing in layers can help you beat the cold. As you work through the day, you can shed layers as need be. It is recommended to wear at least 3 layers when working in the cold. Layer 1, a base layer. This is typically thermals or long-johns. Layer 2, standard clothing. This is your normal clothing. Finally, layer 3, an outer layer. This is typically your rain and/or wind protectant.
   • Make sure you cover your hands! While gloves can get in the way of doing work sometimes, your hands are one of your most susceptible body parts to frostbite. Depending on wind chill, frostbite can occur in as little as 10 to 30 minutes! When you are looking for the right gloves to wear, look for gloves that have good insulation, but are still very flexible.
   • Remember to wear a hat and cover your ears. Nearly half of all body heat is lost through your head and neck.
   • Wear insulated boots if possible. During the cold it is often best to refrain from wearing steel-toe shoes, if possible.
2. Take breaks throughout the day
   • Getting the job done is always on everyone’s mind, however, in extreme cold it is important to take ample breaks to warm up. While you are taking a break, it isn’t a bad idea to have a snack and drink some water. Your body is constantly burning energy to try and stay warm, so you need to fuel yourself.
3. Be mindful of weather changes
   • If it’s possible work outside when it will be the warmest. While most farmers are out and about as soon as the sun comes up, this is typically one of the coldest times of day. Working in the afternoon and help you stay warmer longer.

Ag Injury News Report

9/8/2024: Crews rescue Stanton County farmer trapped in corn bin

9/7/2024: Man Injured in Scotland County Tractor Rollover Accident

9/7/2024: Two workers die after being trapped inside a South Dakota farm silo

8/26/2024: ATV operator killed in Salisbury crash

8/24/2024: One dead in Corinth farm truck crash

8/21/2024: Man Survives Grain Bin Entrapment Near Sublette

8/20/2024: Farm accident in Parke County leads to Lifeline

Questions

1. Why should you wear blaze orange when you go hunting?
2. What does MAT stand for?
3. How long does it take for frostbite to set in during extreme cold?
4. True or False: You should treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
5. True or False: You should have a plan for any harvested game because bacterial growth can start as quickly as 20 minutes after you harvest the game.  

Answers

1. So other hunters can identify you and to help others find you in the event of an accident.
2. Muzzle, Action, Trigger
3. 30 minutes
4. True
5. True

With harvest season winding down and hunting season in full swing, much of our farming community is spending their free time in the woods looking for a different kind of harvest. Before you enter the woods, make sure someone knows where you are at all times and that you are familiar with your firearm!

Image courtesy of The Keystone Armory

Firearm Safety: Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded, and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Never point a firearm in the direction of something that you do not intend to shoot, and always unload your firearm when you are not using it. If you struggle to remember this, just think MAT. Muzzle (in a safe direction), Action (keep the action open if not in use), Trigger (keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot.

Proper Clothing: Whether you are hunting private, or public land, it is recommended to wear some piece of blaze orange clothing. This will help others see you, in the event that you meet up with another hunter. It is also helpful in the event of an accident, those coming to help you will be able to find you easier. Along with wearing blaze orange, make sure you check the weather before you hunt and dress accordingly. In extreme cold, it can take less than 30 minutes for frostbite to set in on exposed skin.

Planning: Before you embark on a hunt, make sure you have a plan for yourself and any game you harvest. Ensure someone know where you will be hunting, whether from the ground or in a stand. If you harvest game, make sure you work quickly to begin preserving the meat. In warmer hunting situations, bacterial growth can start within 20 minutes of the harvest.

Equipment: Before climbing into a stand or using a climber, check that all pieces are in good condition and secure. Most hunting accidents occur because of stands failing, leading to the hunting landing on the ground. Most of these falls result in extreme injury or death.

Ag Injury News

8/19/2024: Man pinned beneath tractor killed in Stephenson County rollover crash

8/19/2024: Harlem man, 39, killed in fatal side-by-side wreck, three others injured

8/16/2024: Cassville teen killed in tractor accident

8/16/2024: Coast Guard crews rescue man having medical emergency on fishing boat off Anna Maria Island

8/15/2024: 84-year-old in critical condition after tractor accident in Cohoctah Township

8/14/2024: Man killed by falling tree in Victor identified

8/12/2024: Raging bull meant for slaughterhouse causes car crash before being shot, killed

Disaster Clean-Up Safety

During times of natural disaster, many community members join efforts to help with the clean-up process. While this is commendable, always remember that there are many hidden safety hazards around disaster clean-up. Before beginning a clean-up process, always assess the area for hazards such as down powerlines, suspended trees, displaced animals, and many more.

Before any clean-up takes place, always inspect the worksite! Be sure to listen to local officials for updates and instructions before you begin the clean-up process. Gather all information on road closures, down power lines, flooded areas, and any other hazards that might be present during the clean-up process.

After gathering all information, evaluate the worksite for hazards. Ensure that all structures, surfaces, and roads are stable and do not pose a threat to yourself and those working with you.

If you are working in an area with down powerlines and gas lines, follow the recommendations below.

• Always assume that all wires and powerlines are energized! Never approach a downed line as it can energize the ground and result in electrocution. Stay at least 10 feet from any downed line!
• Establish and clearly mark danger zones around downed lines and potential gas leaks to let those working in the area know about the hazards.
• Never attempt to repair down lines or gas leaks. Allow only trained professionals to repair these problems.
• Always use a wooden pole to inspect floodwaters for hazards. Floodwaters can sometimes become energized, and using a metal pole for inspection can result in electrocution.
• While many use generators to supply power to their house during times of no power, make sure you never use them indoors! This can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

During natural disasters, trees often are destroyed and require removal, follow the tips below to stay safe during tree trimming and removal.

• Always have the proper PPE for tree work, including work gloves, work boots, hearing protection, and eye and face protection. If you are using a chainsaw, wear chaps to protect your legs!
• Be mindful of chainsaw kickback. Never cut with the tip of the saw!
• If you are using a chipper, stay back and remove any loose clothing articles. Loose clothes can get caught on limbs and tree branches and pull you into the chipper.
• Never try to move more than you can physically handle, and use proper lifting techniques to limit injury!

Ag Injury News Report

8/9/2024: Local 8-year-old boy saves his father after tractor accident in Kalkaska
8/8/2024: Man killed in side-by-side wreck in Lincoln County
8/7/2024: Man Killed after Tree Limb Falls on Tractor in Greene Township
8/6/2024: Man seriously injured after semi collides with tractor Tuesday in Linn County
7/25/2024: 9-year-old ‘cowgirl’ dies in horseback riding accident
7/25/2024: Fire department rescues man from grain bin in Covington
7/20/2024: Lancaster County toddler dead after being hit by farm tractor, coroner’s office says

Questions
1. At least how far should you stay from downed lines?
2. How do you avoid chainsaw kickback?
3. Who should repair downed lines and gas leaks?
4. True or False: You should use a metal pole to inspect floodwaters for hazards.
5. True or False: When cleaning up trees, you should wear hearing protection, eye and face protection, work boots, and work gloves.

Answers
1. 10 feet
2. Do not cut with the tip of the saw.
3. Only trained professionals
4. False
5. True

Grain Bin Safety

Gain bins are valuable assets to many farming operations, as they are often viewed as a savings account for farmers. Farmers load grain into their bins and wait for prices to rise at the elevators. However, during this waiting period, farmers must keep moisture levels just right to get the most money for their grain. Because of this, grain might spoil inside the bin, resulting in the farmer or a worker having to enter a very dangerous environment.

Grain Entrapment and Engulfment

Entrapment: When a person has sunk low enough into the grain or other media, that they cannot escape on their own and must be rescued.
Engulfment: When a person has become completely submerged in grain or other media.

Causes of Entrapment or Engulfment

Flowing Grain: Moving grain acts like quicksand when a person enters a bin and can result in a person becoming entrapped very quickly. This often occurs when a person enters a bin with an auger running or if another person turns on an auger while the person is in the bin. A person has 22 seconds before they are engulfed in a flowing grain situation.
Grain Bridge Collapse: When grain gets wet, it often forms a crust on the top. After auguring grain out of the bin from the bottom, a void is formed between the crust layer and the grain. When a person walks on the crust, it cannot support their weight and the crust may collapse, causing them to become entrapped in grain.
Grain Wall Collapse: Much like grain bridging, grain along the edge of the bin may get wet and form a wall of crust. At the end of the season, this wall must be broken down for bin cleanout. When a person enters the bin to begin to take the wall down, the grain may fall on them causing them to become entrapped.

Avoiding Entrapment or Engulfment

Target Zero Entry: Avoid entering in the bin whenever possible. Often times, people must enter a bin when there is poor grain management present. By maintaining moisture content correctly and managing grain better, fewer people have to enter a bin.
Lockout/Tagout: Before entering into a bin, ensure that no power is running to the augers and they cannot be turned on while a person is in the bin.
Never Go In Alone: Before entering a bin, bring at least two other people with you. One person should be at the top of the bin with eyes on the person in the bin and the other person should be on the ground to help relay information to fire and rescue team members in the event of entrapment or engulfment.
Lifeline and Tether: Always tie off to a high anchor point before entering a bin and wear a harness! This line and harness may be the only thing that prevents you from sinking lower into the grain in the event of an entrapment or engulfment.