Category: Safety Information

Questions

1. What is the top speed at which equipment with a slow-moving vehicle sign can travel?
2. Before traveling roadways, left and right brakes should be ________.
3. Between what hours are farm vehicle collisions most common?
4. What state ranked number 1 in the US for most deaths on non-interstate rural roadways?
5. If you see equipment with a slow-moving vehicle sign, what should you do immediately?

Answers

1. 25 mph
2. Locked together
3. 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
4. South Carolina
5. Reduce your speed immediately

Equipment and Rural Roadway Safety

Rural roadways present a number of hazards to not only those operating equipment but also those operating passenger vehicles. In 2022, South Carolina ranked number 1 in the country for deaths on non-interstate, rural roadways. It is estimated that South Carolina’s fatality rate on rural roadways is 4.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles of travel.

Below are some tips to keep in mind while traveling on rural roadways.

Remain alert for slow-moving vehicles.
Always watch for vehicles that are marked with slow-moving vehicle signs. When you see one, reduce your speed immediately. If you are operating equipment on roadways, ensure that you have a slow-moving vehicle sign and that it is visible to other drivers on roadways. This sign alerts other drivers to the fact that you are moving at a speed that is less than 25 mph. Never display a slow-moving vehicle sign on equipment that travels at speeds greater than 25 mph.

Always pass with care.
Much like passing a standard passenger vehicle, always pass equipment on roadways with care and caution. Equipment is often longer and wider than the typical passenger vehicle. Because of this, it is important to ensure that there is enough room to pass at a safe speed and distance to not only protect your life but also the life of the person operating the equipment. From an equipment operating point of view, try to only use rural roadways during times that are not busy. Most passenger vehicle-farm equipment collisions occur between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. It is recommended that escort vehicles be used both in front of and behind the equipment that is traveling on roadways.

Ensure that all lights are in working order and brakes are locked.
Oftentimes, rural roadways have very little lighting and poor visibility. When traveling in farm equipment, ensure that all lights are properly working as to remain visible to other passenger vehicles. These lights act as a warning to other drivers to alert them that they are approaching farm equipment that is operating on a roadway. Also, ensure that your left and right brakes are locked before traveling on roadways.

South Carolina AgrAbility

The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance the quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. AgrAbility consists of the National AgrAbility Project (NAP) and State/Regional AgrAbility Projects (SRAPs). Both the NAP and all the SRAPs must be partnerships between a land grant university and at least one nonprofit disability organization (National AgrAbility, 2023).

AgrAbility South Carolina will support cross-training between Able SC and Extension agents from Clemson and South Carolina State for individuals with disabilities who engage in farming or farm-related occupations.

Getting Assistance
If you are an agricultural worker needing assistance, visit the South Carolina AgrAbility website for a full list of contacts. AgrAbility Projects generally do not provide direct funding to agricultural workers for adaptive equipment and other goods or services. Instead, such funding is often provided by state departments of vocational rehabilitation services (VR). Currently, Dr. Lance Beecher is the primary contact for AgrAbility assistance in South Carolina.

Questions

1. True or False: If you are bitten by a snake on your hand, you should elevate your hand above your heart.
2. Stinging insects are often found around _________ ________.
3. If you are wearing pants and boots, you should do what?
4. True or False: If a stinging insect is flying around you, you should remain calm and not swat at the insect.
5. Stinging insects may release chemicals when they sting, what does this chemical do?

Answers

1. False
2. Flowering plants
3. You should tuck your pant legs into your boots to prevent stings and bites from insects on the ground.
4. True
5. This chemical attracts other stinging insects to the site of the sting.

Sting and Bite Safety

While working outdoors, it is common to come in contact with stinging insects and fire ants. It is important to take the proper precautions before working outside and ensure that you are familiar with the required treatment for insect stings and bites.

Protect Your Self

• Wear light-colored clothing that covers as much of your body as possible.
• Refrain from using perfumed soaps, sprays, and deodorants because this can attract stinging insects to you.
• Avoid being around flowering plants, as this is often where stinging insects live.
• Always clean up trash that is food related. Some insects, such as yellow jackets, are attracted to food residue.
• If a stinging insect is around you, remain calm. Swatting at the insect may make them feel threatened and increases the chance of you being stung.
• If you are stung, leave the area in a calm but hurried fashion. Some insects release chemicals when they sting you, which attracts other insects to the sting site.
• If you are wearing pants and boots, tuck your pant legs into your boots to protect you from stinging and biting insects that might be on the ground, such as fire ants.
• Be cautious when lifting and moving items that have been stored on the ground or outside. Stinging and biting insects will often make homes in these items and will feel threatened when you move their home.

First Aid

If you or a worker is stung by an insect:

• Monitor the person to ensure that they do not have an allergic reaction to the sting.
• Remove the stinger by wiping over it with a gauze or your fingernail. Never squeeze the stinger out.
• Clean the area and apply ice or cold water to help reduce swelling.
• Refrain from scratching the sting because this can increase swelling and the risk of the sting becoming infected.

If you or a worker is bitten by a snake:

• Remain calm and call for emergency help.
• If water and soap are available, gently wash the bite.
• Remove any rings, watches, and jewelry that may become stuck because of swelling.
• Keep the area of the bite below your heart. If it is on your arm or hand, do not elevate the bite.

Questions

1. True or False: if you see someone caught in a rip current, run into the water immediately to help them.
2. When swimming, you should always have a __________.
3. True or False: you should never operate a boat under the influence because it can impair your decision-making abilities.
4. What should you do if a boat capsizes?
5. Why should you always fill in holes that you dig in the sand?

Answers
1. False
2. Buddy
3. True
4. You should stay with the boat if it capsizes.
5. People can fall into the hole and become entrapped in sand.

Vacation Safety

Farmers take vacations too, and because of this, it is important to always remember some safety tips while you or your loved ones are away from the farm. The beach can be a relaxing place, but it can also present a variety of hazards.

Important Tips to Remember on the Beach and in Water

• Check your child’s swimming ability every year before they swim for the first time.
• Always swim with a buddy even if a lifeguard is present.
• Ensure that someone is watching from the beach and that they are not distracted or impaired.
• If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current.
• If someone is swimming and becomes caught in a rip current, never try to rescue them yourself. Alert a lifeguard or call 911.
• If you dig a hole in the sand, always fill it in. Others can fall and become entrapped in the hole.
• Only jump into water that is clear, and you know what is beneath you. Always enter the water feet first. Diving into the water can be very dangerous.
• Always check the weather before going into the water. If a storm begins, get out of the water immediately. Lightning can strike the water making it energized.
• In the event you are in a boat that capsizes, stay with the boat.
• If someone falls from the boat, through them a floatation device before attempting the rescue them.
• Never operate a boat under the influence; this can impair your decision-making abilities.

Questions

1. True or False: children at least 15 years in age can be employed on farming operations.
2. Children should only ride as passengers on equipment if _____________________________.
3. True or False: children should never ride as a passenger on a lawnmower.
4. Where should chemicals and pesticides be stored?
5. At what age can a child operate self-propelled equipment?

Answers

1. False
2. A buddy seat is present
3. True
4. Out of reach of children or others visiting the farm
5. 13 years old

Child and Public Safety

Every year thousands of children and general public individuals visit farms during the summer months. It is important to take the correct precautions to prevent injury to those who are not on farms full-time.

Laws to know:
It is illegal for children under the age of 13 to operate any self-propelled machinery, such as tractors. Youth under the age of 16 are not legally allowed to be employees in a farming operation. Also, employees that are under the age of 18 must go through a risk assessment process to ensure that they possess the required competencies to complete tasks safely.

Passengers on Farm Equipment:
Most farm equipment is only designed to carry one passenger, the operator. In the event of a “buddy seat” one additional passenger may be carried. Children should never ride as passengers on lawnmowers. Lawnmowers are only designed to carry one passenger, the operator. Children riding on lawnmowers with an operator risk falling off the lawnmower and subsequently being run over.
Agritourism has become a very large part of South Carolina’s agricultural sector. Youth and others from the public often visit farms for festivals and “you-pick” events. If others are riding in a trailer, always ensure that the rails are secure and that secure seating is available. It is also important to ensure a safe mounting and dismounting location from the trailer.

General Risks on the Farm:
Children and others who are not always on farms are generally curious about the area. Always ensure that chemicals and pesticides are stored in safe locations that children can not get into. Also, always ensure that grain bins and other grain storage areas are not accessible to others. Grain often looks like a fun place to play for children, and they often do not understand the risks that are associated with grain that is stored. Finally, ensure that all other workers are aware that children and others are present on the farm. It is important that everyone knows where they are to keep an out for them.

Questions

1. True or false: Voltage is highest at the source if there is a down powerline.
2. What should you do if a fire sparks after you hit a powerline with a piece of equipment?
3. How far should you stay back from a down powerline?
4. What can happen if you step on two different voltages at the same time?
5. How does electricity like to flow?

Answers

1. True
2. Jump from the cab of the equipment, never touching the side of the equipment. Once on the ground, “bunny hop” away from the down powerline to safety.
3. 33 feet
4. You may be electrocuted.
5. Electricity likes to flow from areas of high concentration/voltage to areas of low concentration/voltage.