Category: Safety Information

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.

Electrical Safety

Overhead powerlines can present many issues when moving equipment. The most common issues arise when moving grain augers, bale elevators, and other tall equipment. Steps to prevent equipment from coming in contact with overhead powerlines are to lower the equipment, if possible, or contact your local power company and inquire about raising the height of the powerline.

General Safety Tips

Always remember to look up before operating your equipment. Almost half of all powerline contact happens with large equipment.

If you see a down powerline, stay back at least 33 ft. If you hit a down powerline with your car, do not get out of your car. Call 911 immediately to report the down line.

If you strike a powerline while operating equipment, remain calm and if possible back away from the powerline. Remain inside the cab of your piece of equipment. If a fire starts, jump from the cab of the equipment. Ensure that you do not touch the equipment while you are exiting. Once you have reached the ground, “bunny hop” away from the equipment, until you are 33 ft away.

Step Potential

Step potential is the voltage difference between one step. Voltage is the highest at the source and fades as you go out. Stepping on two different voltages at the same time may electrocute you. Electricity, like heat, likes to travel from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. If you step on two different voltages, the higher voltage area uses you as a conductor to move energy into the lower voltage area.

Questions

1. True or false: Sleep affects your ability to manage stress.
2. Before an emergency arises, what should you do?
3. You should always ensure that you have a ____________ _________ that you can go to during stressful situations.
4. True or false: Being vulnerable during stressful situations is not okay.
5. During stressful situations, you should __________________________________.

Answers

1. True
2. Create a plan in the event of an emergency
3. Support Team
4. False
5. Take time for the simple things in life