Category: Safety Spotlight

Mark McGrady currently owns Colorscapes Supply Company selling quality soils and fertilizers to landscapers, growers, and farmers across the state of South Carolina. After managing a local garden center and nursery for almost twenty years, he has seen the ins and outs of many green industry operations.

How did you hear about Clemson’s Agricultural Safety program and why do you think it is important?
MM: I have a daughter in the Ag program at Clemson and she told me about it. I feel that it is important to intervene with young people as they enter the agricultural workforce. It is easier to start good habits while someone is young rather than trying to reteach someone when they are older. The safe and proper way to do things should be second nature instead of something they have to stop and think about.

Why is safety advocacy important?
MM: It is important to do as much as you can to protect yourself because there are lots of other people in this world that won’t make the effort to protect themselves let alone anyone else. I interact with a lot of landscapers and help my wife run her niche landscaping operation. The biggest threat I see in the landscaping industry that I believe is vastly overlooked, is many people don’t take the time to strap their equipment down on their trailers. It’s not as if the equipment is going to blow away because it isn’t heavy enough to ride on the trailer deck, it’s the fact that these items become projectiles if they were to become involved in an accident. Seat belts go on people and tie-down straps go on the equipment.

What prevents farmers and others from being as safe as possible?
MM: I honestly think it is time and deadlines. We are always chasing that next dollar and trying to get the next task done. They keep saying time is money but people really ought to slow down and look at some of the consequences of their actions. Being a little behind on a task list is much cheaper than being fined by an insurance company or the cost of a life.

Why should safety be of utmost importance?
MM: Safety precautions and warnings are often glanced over because people become familiar and comfortable with actions that seem harmless. I’ve moved plenty of pallets of fertilizer in my life and the one time I chose not to wear [safety] glasses I got a chemical burn to the eye. A phosphate burn to the cornea isn’t how you would want to lose your eyesight when it was easily preventable. Luckily my sight returned after a few months but there are plenty of incidents with outcomes not near as lucky as mine.

What do you think can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
MM: I think that the more it is talked about on a daily basis, the more that it will be relevant. The more comfortable it is to talk about a subject then the less it seems like a lecture or just a bunch of rules that are supposed to be followed. These precautions are set with the operator in mind, not to just make things difficult. If practiced regularly things become a habit.

Submitted by Mark McGrady

Mrs. Epperly grew up in Orangeburg, SC where her father owns a tree nursery. She spent a lot of her time growing up doing a multitude of tasks related to the business, piquing her interest in agriculture. After graduating from Clemson, she now teaches Horticulture at Mauldin High School.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
HTE: Due to the nature of our classes, agricultural safety comes up every day in the classroom- especially when we do our unit for greenhouse and equipment safety. It is very important to make sure the students understand the importance and necessity for safety in everything that we do.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
HTE: Before working in the greenhouse or with a machine, safety is taught through a lesson plan to show students what they will experience in the situation before it occurs. Generally, hands-on application and explanations help the students learn how to safely operate machines or tools.

Describe the impacts that a safety intervention can have on children.
HTE: Most children do not have the life experience to understand why something is not safe. Having an adult or another authority figure explains the unsafe situation to them, gives them the experience they need to be safe.

How do you approach teaching safety procedures in your classroom?
HTE: I like to teach safety in the classroom through lesson plans before the children are put into a new situation. I find that it’s best to use a hands-on application and be proactive in teaching about safety measures. I am sure to show students every part of any tool or job that could be unsafe and explain how to take certain steps to be safe with the equipment.

Check out @mauldinffa on Instagram to see what some of Mrs. Epperly’s students are up to!

Submitted by Holden Terry Epperly

Katherine manages three commodity boards at SCDA that are all checkoff programs. She is also the marketing specialist of those three commodities. Katherine’s life has been centered around agriculture, as she comes from a family farm, where she is proud to say she is the third generation. Their family farm has changed over the years as farming has evolved. Her family also owns and operates a small tractor and equipment business. Katherine is proud that her roots run deep in agriculture.

How did you hear about the Ag Safety program?
KH: I am a Clemson Alumni and the program was just beginning when I graduated in 2018. I made sure to stay in the loop and be on the mailing list, as I knew that my profession would be in agriculture. I wanted to keep up with the latest news on ag safety.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
KH: Quite often I hear my farmers talking about an employee being injured or they themselves almost experiencing an injury. I mainly work with farmers who are operating large equipment and they often see that their employees are not as safety-oriented as expected of them. It is extremely important for farmers and others in agriculture to be safe, as this is their livelihood and one mistake could change all of that.

What do you think is the biggest concern regarding agricultural safety?
KH: I think the biggest concern regarding agricultural safety, to be blunt, is to not lose a life. So many times we hear of farmers or farm workers losing their lives because of one small mistake. I think it is always extremely important to remain cautious when performing tasks. If someone is not comfortable completing a task or operating a piece of machinery, they most certainly should ask for help or seek further training.

Is there enough being done to teach agricultural safety in our state schools?
KH: I think that the FFA does an amazing job teaching high school students, but there is always a gap. I do believe that there should be outlets for students not involved in FFA or who did not grow up in agricultural settings, to access this important information. A simple safety intervention as an adolescent can be something that they take with them throughout their lives. Being exposed to the dangers in agriculture during a child’s growth in high school can catch their attention and leave them more aware of other situations later in life.

Do you have any advice for the agricultural sector in this time of uncertainty?
KH: As we continue to adjust to what is referred to as the “new normal,” I encourage all of those in the agricultural sector to remain cautious and stay healthy, as farmers and their employees are the ones in charge of our food supply!

Submitted by Katherine Helms

“In my job at Farm Bureau, I work to manage and improve the member experience, train volunteer leaders within the organization, and develop the leadership experiences and capabilities of our members through the collegiate, YF&R and AG Leaders programs. Working with farmers and supporting the agriculture industry is such a wonderful privilege.”

What has been your level of involvement in the Clemson University Ag Safety program?
JC: SC Farm Bureau Federation is happy to collaborate with the Ag Safety program whenever possible. We have enjoyed partnering to provide safety field days for youth and we were thankful to have the program represented at our 2020 Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Charleston, SC for a powerful breakout session. Farm Bureaus across the country have a long history of supporting safety programs for agricultural communities. We were thankful to see the initiative that Clemson University has taken in promoting Ag Safety Education.

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture be safe?
JC: I’ve learned that farmers are extremely committed and dedicated to the work that they do, to the point of putting their own health and safety at risk in order to finish a job. We need every single farmer in the state of South Carolina; it is extremely important for every one of them to stay safe in order to continue contributing in such a meaningful way to their families and communities.

How often do you run across the topic of agricultural safety in your position?
JC: To be honest, we find that many farmers don’t want to take time out of their schedule to talk about safety, so we have to find creative ways to have the discussion. The State YF&R Committee hosted a session at the Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference called “Near Death Farm Experiences” and it ended up being one of the most powerful popular sessions. I find that testimonial is one of the most powerful tools for talking about safety.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
JC: Every safety risk is a big concern, but I’d say a “growing” concern is roadway safety. Farmers are already at high risk while doing everyday chores that put them in harm’s way ON THE FARM; it is devastating that traveling from field to field ON THE ROAD is also dangerous for them.

Why is safety necessary?
JC: Safety is like anything else in life that we do well – we must create the habit of doing things safely. I have two sons – I want them to be completely capable of taking care of themselves and others well, so talking about safe practices is part of our everyday life. We have to cultivate safe behaviors – they will not just grow on their own.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
JC: I believe the #1 priority is to teach youth and college students. There are more and more young people who did not grow up on a farm entering into agricultural careers. Without that homegrown education, it is pertinent that young people learn how to operate safely through community and school-based educational initiatives.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on the agricultural community?
JC: The ag sector is strong, vibrant, and smart – we can make the biggest impression on this community by giving them what they need to be successful – education, opportunity, support, and most of all – a belief that they are vital to our lives and well-being.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
JC: Forge strong partnerships at every level and identify ambassadors for the cause who care about the issues. The strength of Farm Bureau is its grassroots structure because we are organized around the idea that unifying many voices around a common issue is more impactful than a singular voice with concern. To spread awareness about agricultural safety, people must tell their stories and motivate others to care about the issue.

Do you have any advice for the agricultural sector in this time of uncertainty?
JC: At a time like this, the importance of our safe, affordable, and abundant food supply is more evident than ever. It is in the best interest of all of society for each of us to care about the well-being of our farmers. We must all take part in ensuring our farmers are safe, secure and able to continue working hard for us every day.

Submitted by Jessica Cabrera

“I am currently working on a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences while working full-time at Savannah River Site as a firefighter/EMT. I grew up in the rural town of Starr, SC where I spent the majority of my time helping my grandfather on his farm. When I entered high school, I joined the FFA and began to work part-time for a large cow/calf operation in Iva, SC. In June of 2011, I was elected to serve as the State President for the South Carolina FFA Association, and in the fall of 2011, I began my journey at the greatest University in the Nation. Originally, I had hopes of going to medical school but also wanted an agriculture degree so I enrolled in Wildlife Fisheries and Biology. During my undergraduate career, I was involved in the Block and Bridle Club, Wildlife Society, FarmHouse Fraternity, and worked part-time for the Clemson University Fire Department. Since I grew up only 45 minutes away I would travel home most weekends (when there was not a home football game of course) to bale hay, feed cows, build fences, or just help out where I could. Somewhere along the way, I decided against going to medical school, so upon graduating in December of 2015, I began an MS degree in Plant and Environmental Sciences at Edisto REC in Blackville, SC. My master’s research consisted mostly of designing and implementing new technology for hay balers. I worked under the direction of Dr. Kendall Kirk to install and test a yield monitor on a hay baler that was developed by a prior graduate student. We also developed a weighing system for round balers equipped with a spring-loaded bale ramp. After graduating in December of 2017, I went to work as a firefighter/EMT at Savannah River Site. My primary reason for taking the position at Savannah River Site was the work schedule (24/72). The three days off between shifts allows me to continue working at Edisto REC, where I am currently working on a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences.”

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture to be safe?
PJL: Everyone depends on agriculture in some way or another. Farmers and agricultural workers have one of the most important jobs in the world, to provide food and other natural resources for everyone else. There are many tasks farmers perform that can be dangerous, no matter how “routine” they might be. In order for us to go home safe at the end of the day and continue to provide food and natural resources to everyone else, we must maintain a mindset of safety in everything that we do.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
PJL: I believe the biggest concern regarding agriculture safety is complacency, especially for farmers and workers who have several years of experience. The more we repeat a specific task, the more comfortable we become performing it regardless of the dangers that might be associated, and the less vigilant we are.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
PJL: The best way to teach agricultural safety is through hands-on learning with props/simulators. There is only so much information that can be retained through lecturing. Take the grain bin entrapment simulator that Hunter Massey and his group are currently working on; a student will have a much better understanding of the danger of grain entrapment after actually feeling the amount of pressure that can be exerted on the body in just a few inches, rather than hearing about it from a lecturer. Although it is not feasible to create a prop for every topic of agriculture safety, having a few good ones to use in conjunction with lecturing will have a greater impact on the importance of safety.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
PJL: Newsletters like this one are a great way to spread awareness about safety issues, but I believe there is a lot more that can be done too. Presenting safety topics at field days help at the Research and Education Centers is an excellent way to reach the farmers and workers who are at the highest risk for an accident to occur. Agriculture Safety Days like the one held last October on the campus of John de la Howe are great for reaching out to high school students, and starting them off on the right foot with safe habits as they begin their agriculture careers. Lastly, but probably the most effective way to spread awareness about safety issues is through social media outlets, nearly everyone has a Facebook or Instagram, and these outlets can be used to share information regarding safety topics in agriculture.

Submitted by Perry J. Loftis

“Like many youths in the 70’s, I started mowing lawns in the summer when I was twelve years old. At the age of fifteen, I started caddying and working at a local golf course in Arlington, Virginia. After many attempts at different career paths, I took the advice of several of the golf course superintendents I had worked for and enrolled in Lake City Community College in Lake City, Florida where I earned an Associate of Science Degree in Golf Course Operations. I was the golf course superintendent of a few courses in North Carolina but ultimately chose a path of sod production. In February of 2000, I purchased 410 acres of land in Rembert, SC with my wife. Twenty years later and another 1,000 acres to boot, Modern Turf, Inc. produces nine varieties of warm-season grass, has a lawn care service, a sports turf management division, and two retail outlets.”

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture to be safe?
HK: I was always taught safety first. Whether it is a protective suit, respirator, eye or ear protection, it has to be adorned according to safety protocol. Lifting, operation of equipment, and a general sense of good safety practices are essential to any operation, agriculture, or otherwise.

How often do you run across the topic of safety in your position?
HK: Probably not enough! We hold safety meetings with our different divisions and they tend to occur mostly when we have a rainy spell and are all caught up with everything else. We also have them more often in the winter as there is just more downtime.

What do you think the biggest concern in regarding agricultural safety?
HK: I think the public has a misconception that farmers apply chemicals at will as oppose to using best management practices. The public perception is no one of conservation which I find to be the case with most farmers. We know a labeled application rate is good and when treating hundreds of acres we would be wasting money to miscalculate or over apply for the sake of a higher rate. I also don’t think the public is aware of the research and technology that goes into introducing a new product to the market. The products we use today have so much less active ingredients and are so specifically targeted to a specific pest as opposed to the broad-spectrum products of old.

Why is safety necessary?
HK: From a business standpoint, if you are not adhering to safety standards you will ultimately pay the price through OSHA or Workers Compensation Insurance. On a personal level, what kind of person would not look after the well-being of their employees and provide the best safety training and equipment available? We try, I know we can do better, and answering these questions is probably a good wake-up call for me!

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
HK: Video seems to work well as they are often produced by people who do it for a living as opposed to a supervisor who is doing it sporadically. Unfortunately, lots of our equipment is unique and does not have such videos available. Hands-on is really good as nothing replaces actually doing something physically.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on middle to high school age children?
HK: I think hands-on learning is by far the best for this age group. Most of them have never had access to farm equipment and are impressed with how big an agricultural operation can be.

Do you have any advice for the agricultural sector in this time of uncertainty?
HK: It certainly is different these days! We have been vigilant in our COVID safety efforts but I think we are reaching a fatigue factor. I tell my people that you can only do the best you can do – but you better do the best you can do!

Submitted by Hank Kerfoot

“I honestly had no agricultural experience (beyond being a lifelong horseback rider) before college. I started out at Clemson University as a Mechanical Engineering student and completed two years before deciding the major wasn’t the hands-on experience that I was looking for. My academic advisor recommended that I look into the Agricultural Mechanization and Business program. My first thought and response was, “No thank you, I don’t want to be a farmer.” She pushed me to check out the program anyway, stating that there was more to the major than just farming. I met with Kendall Kirk and the first place he took me was the AGM 452 lab (Mobile Power). One look at all of the engine parts laying around and I was hooked – it looked like my idea of heaven. I did an internship with Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) after my junior year at a grain elevator in Weldon, IL. That was my first real experience with agriculture and I loved it. I went to work for Golden Peanut after graduating. I spent my first year as an Operations Manager, running the day-to-day activities as a peanut warehouse. I then spent the next four years as the Health and Safety Manager at a pecan shelling facility (also with Golden Peanut). Unfortunately, ADM decided to close the shelling plant I worked at, which led me to find my current role of Process Engineer with Mars Wrigley. I’ve been with Mars Wrigley for a little over a year now, and I love it!”

How did you hear about the Ag Safety Program?
MB: I heard about the Ag Safety Program through Hunter Massey. We actually talked about the idea of one several years ago. I’m excited to see that it has become a reality.

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture be safe?
MB: Safety is extremely important, no matter what occupation you have. When it comes to farming, you have to be especially careful since it is not uncommon for people to work by themselves, often be far from hospitals, or in an area with little to no cell phone service. Since farmers have such a high level of manual labor to do, its vital they keep their bodies in good shape.

How often do you run across the topic of safety in your position?
MB: Every single day!!! At every job I’ve had, we have a daily safety topic and daily safety meetings.

What do you think the biggest concern in regarding agricultural safety?
MB: Heavy machinery operation is high on the list of concerns. Not only is powered industrial equipment inherently dangerous, its very easy to get complacent or over confident while operating it.

Is there enough being done about teaching agricultural safety across the state of South Carolina? Are there any suggestions on how it can be improved?
MB: The fact that there is now an Ag Safety program is very encouraging!! After being in the workforce and realizing how big of an impact safety has on everything, I think it would be valuable to add a safety class to the curriculum that covered OSHA and the relevant safety standards (CFR 1910).

Why is safety necessary?
MB: Obvious answer: so everyone can go home to their loved ones. For businesses, there is a massive financial impact as well – people don’t realize how expensive injuries are!

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
MB: Teaching the potential outcomes of poor safety is huge, and I’ve found it seems to be the most impactful when a speaker shares a personal experience on how safety (or lack of) affected their life in a significant way.

Describe the impacts that a safety intervention can have on children.
MB: Building positive safety behaviors is easier, the younger and more impressionable they are! My dad was incredibly strict about seatbelts when I was a kid, but I can definitely say I have the best behavior out of all of my friends when it comes to wearing them.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on middle to high school age children?
MB: This is where speakers with personal experience are huge. From high school, I always remember the hyper real drunk driving videos and mothers who had lost children in alcohol-induced car wrecks.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
MB: Talking about them! From the work-world, I learned a tool called a Risk Assessment, or Job Hazard Analysis, that is fantastic for identifying hazards. Before doing a job, we would have to fill out one of these forms, with the intent being that we identify and find ways to mitigate hazards and therefore prevent injuries.

What do you do to stay safe during the workday?
MB: I always make sure safety is at the forefront of my mind, and I am vigilant about staying tuned-in to my surroundings.

How do you handle a safety concern among your employees?
MB: Always stop the unsafe behavior immediately, and then talk to that person (the most important part). Tell them why you’re concerned about what they’re doing and how that may have affected them. Describing the potential impact of their actions in detail was always very effective. Instead of, “I’m worried you could get hurt,” I would try, “It scared me to see you cutting the bag that way, your hand was right in the line of fire. If the knife slipped, you could have cut your fingers off!”

What does your position do to mitigate accidents on the job?
MB: We are constantly looking out for safety hazards. Anything safety-related we find is always at the very top of the priority list, no matter how small. We also start every meeting with a safety moment to ensure everyone is always thinking about safety.

How are employees trained to stay safe on the job?
MB: Again, we start every meeting with a safety moment. We also have peer-to-peer observation cards that employees complete. The idea is that you get a card and then observe someone working, and then give them feedback on their safety behavior.

What is the biggest concern teaching adults about safety precautions?
MB: Safety tends to get crammed down people’s throats in the workplace. Instead of being valuable and meaningful, it becomes overbearing and monotonous. Be as creative as possible when it comes to mitigating safety hazards. There is some pretty cool technology out there, most of which came about by thinking outside of the box.

Submitted by Megan Betzel

“My current position with Clemson Cooperative Extension allows me to serve as a liaison between Extension and Development, and provides me the opportunity for state-wide Extension events coordination and planning. I was born and raised on a row crop and cattle operation in Southeast Georgia, so I have literally been around agriculture my entire life. After graduating from Clemson University with my undergraduate degree, I found myself married to a cattle farmer in Anderson, South Carolina, where we reside today. Raising our children in agriculture is a blessing and I am so thankful for the opportunity, yet it comes with its own set of worries.”

How did you hear about the Ag Safety Program?
MB: I heard about the Ag Safety Program through working on a safety project with Hunter Massey.

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture be safe?
MB: Safety in any industry is important, but its of the utmost importance in agriculture. Agriculture is one of the few industries where we are constantly around dangers. To add to the dangers, a large portion of the time, farmers and people in agriculture often work alone and generally with equipment that can cause major in a matter of seconds if something goes wrong. This amplifies the need for safety.

How often do you run across the topic of safety in your position?
MB: In my current position I encounter the topic of safety semi-frequently. It’s definitely a topic that has grown awareness over the years.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
MB: Wow, what a question; the biggest concern regarding agriculture safety in my opinion is just how dangerous farming is in general.

Is there enough being done about teaching agricultural safety across the state of South Carolina?
MB: No, I think there is always room for growth in agricultural safety education, not just in our state but nationwide. There are so many aspects of agriculture and they all have their own unique safety hazards. We also find that often times farmers diversify, yet they learn as they go, leaving themselves open to safety errors.

Why is safety necessary?
MB: Safety is necessary for success and longevity. This industry doesn’t have much forgiveness in safety errors; limb loss, debilitating, and life loss are at the top of safety mistakes in agriculture. So that alone tells you safety is a necessity.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
MB: I wish I had the answer to this, but I can tell you that I took a Farm Medic class about 13 years ago and it alone has had a lasting impact on my actions on the farm. I had seen videos of farm accidents, and knew more than one farmer with a missing limb from a farm accident, but until I watched how fast the PTO sucked a prop up, twisted it around, or how quickly the hay baler rolled the prop up, and what it took to disassemble the equipment to remove the prop, I didn’t fully comprehend.

Describe the impacts that a safety intervention can have on children.
MB: I think this is one of the major areas that we need to focus on in agricultural safety. The intervention may save a child’s life. One of the statistics associated with agricultural safety is the staggering rate of child death via farm accidents. If we can educate farmers and their families on agriculture safety it’s possible we can begin to decrease farm accidents overall.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on middle to high school age children?
MB: Visuals and simulations. Most of us respond best to visuals and these children are not any different.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
MB: As an industry we have made progress in this area. Equipment manufacturers have increased safety guards and precautions, but that’s not enough. We need to highlight safety precautions and become more self-aware of our actions and the dangers of our actions.

What is the biggest concern teaching adults about safety precautions?
MB: To me, the biggest concern for teaching adults about agricultural safety precautions is getting them to change the way they have been doing something to a safer way. It’s hard to change a habit.

Submitted by Marie Bolt

“Upon graduation in May of 2017 from Clemson University, I was given the opportunity to do something I have aspired to do my entire life. Growing up in rural Georgia and South Carolina, farming was always something that struck a huge interest in me. During my time at Clemson, on top of majoring in Agricultural Mechanization and Business, I worked for Clemson University Research Farms where I got a lot of hands-on experience in mechanic work, operating machinery, and crop management. After leaving Clemson, I was offered a position as a farm operations manager at Double B Farms in Bamberg, South Carolina. Double B Farms specializes in cotton and peanut production. My daily farm duties vary depending on the season but at the end of the day, as a manager overseeing other employees, safety is always our top priority. Break downs and weather occurrences can be costly to an operation. Therefore, getting the equipment fixed and back running in a timely manner is crucial, but being in a hurry can also get you hurt. It is my duty as the farm’s operations manager to ensure that things are done in the quickest, but safest manner possible, as farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.”

How did you hear about the Ag Safety Program?
MH: South Carolina Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference 2020

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture be safe?
MH: Farm safety can have many meanings. Safety amongst the farm can be for the crops, the equipment, and employees. If the crop is cared for in an unsafe manner, it can result in quality issues, therefore it can be dangerous to consumers. If equipment is neglected, it can result in hazardous situations which could hurt the crop, the machine its self, or worse, the person operating it. And finally, farmers feed and clothe the world, if a farmer is performing an unsafe task, it could be milliseconds before that farmer’s life is taken away.

How often do you run across the topic of safety in your position?
MH: Unfortunately, safety isn’t a topic that is verbally spoken of daily. Safety discussions normally come about when incidents occur or almost occur. We have to step back and decide for ourselves what we did wrong and how it could have been handled differently. Safety is something that I feel can sometimes be assumed or swept under the rug when producers are in a time-crunch situation.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
MH: I believe the ag community is full of men and women who have been in the industry for decades. When you develop a way of doing something over so many years, you can sometimes get slack on the safest way to approach that task, whereas someone who is new to doing something is going to take extra precaution in doing it because the dangers are very obvious to them.

Is there enough being done about teaching agricultural safety across the state of South Carolina?
MH: Absolutely not. As mentioned previously, farm safety is normally talked about when accidents occur. It is extremely important to be proactive rather than reactive when someone’s life can be impacted by partaking in dangerous operations. I believe it would benefit all farmers, young or old, new or seasoned, to have safety refreshers multiple times a year. Farmers attend multiple meetings throughout the year for production purposes, such as seed meetings, Farm Bureau meetings, Clemson Extension meetings, etc. that they are required to attend to maintain their pesticide applicator licenses so I think it would be beneficial for them to hear a little ag safety tip, reminder, or update at each of those meetings.

Why is safety necessary?
MH: Doing something correct and safe could cost time but getting in a hurry can cause more trouble and more safety hazards.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
MH: Hands-on or personal experiences. Although it can be sad or scary to hear survivors tell their stories, it usually hits the closest to home for most. The Ag Safety open discussion that took place during breakout sessions at the SCYF&R conference last year will forever have a lasting impression on me. Three courageous farmers stood before a packed room of farmers and their spouses and spoke about three very different but very real near-death experiences they experienced. One spoke of a tractor/car incident that he survived, one spoke about how he was pulled into the combine and resulted in an amputated limb and the last spoke about a heart attack he endured without even realizing it due to extremely high farm and financial stress during the flood of 2015. Now when I move equipment from field to field or work on a machine during harvest, I think twice about what could happen because it could literally be a matter of seconds before a situation could be turned upside down, just as it did for the folks that told us about their experiences.

What is the biggest concern teaching adults about safety precautions?
MH: It is extremely hard to tell someone twice your age to be careful. The majority of our employees have been farming longer than I have been alive. Most of them have their own ways of doing tasks around the farm and changing those habits for their safety can be insulting to them. Sometimes learning from experience can be the best way to learn but, if a situation goes south too quickly, it could result in more than a learning situation.

Submitted by Madison Harrington

Michael Masters

Hometown: Liberty, SC

Position: Agricultural Sciences Shop Manager

“I currently work at Clemson Univesity as the Agricultural Sciences Shop Manager. I work to manage two teaching shops and one research shop for the department. Along with managing shops, I oversee one of the labs that are taught here. In this lab, we teach the students about fabrication practices and the proper use of tools. The students also have the opportunity to learn basic woodworking skills using common tools. In the research shop, we aid research professors and students with fabrication and assembly during projects. Before working at Clemson University, I did not have a ton of agricultural background. However, working here has led to me being involved in many projects that have given me valuable agricultural experience.”

How did you hear about the Ag Safety Program?
MM: Through my involvement with Clemson University Agricultural Sciences Department and Hunter Massey.

How important is it for farmers and other people in agriculture to be safe?
MM: It is essential to be safe around agriculture at all times. However, when people are around something so much, they begin to become complacent within their work. This complacency can lead to costly mistakes, especially in agriculture.

How often do you run across the topic of safety in your position?
MM: I run into safety daily because of the various projects I am working on with Hunter Massey. Along with working on projects, as the primary teacher for an introductory fabrication lab, I run into the topic of safety every time I step foot in the lab to teach.

What do you think the biggest concern is regarding agricultural safety?
MM: I think the biggest concern is the frequency of agricultural-related accidents. It is much higher than I ever thought it would be in our state.

Is there enough being done about teaching agricultural safety across the state of South Carolina?
MM: I think we are headed in a positive direction with teaching about agricultural safety. However, it is sad that the efforts that have been made were slowed down with COVID-19. As the state recovers from this pandemic, I hope that we can continue educating others on the importance of agricultural safety.

Is there any suggestion of how agricultural safety can be improved?
MM: Agricultural safety can be improved by an increased number of Ag Safety Days to help reach both adults and youths to make a lasting impression.

Why is safety necessary?
MM: Safety is necessary to protect the farmers that are the bread of our country and keep farming alive.

What do you think is the best way to teach agricultural safety?
MM: Right now, I think the best way to teach agricultural safety is to teach others through the mistakes others have made. This continues to make others more aware of what could happen.

Describe the impacts that a safety intervention can have on children.
MM: Growing up on a farm more often than not means constantly helping around the farm. Oftentimes, we forget just how easy it is to get hurt around agriculture, and a safety intervention could allow for a teachable moment that might save a child’s life.

What is the biggest way to leave an impression on middle to high school age children?
MM: To leave an impression, first, you must get their attention. The biggest way to leave an impression is to get the children involved and make it interesting so that what they learn will always stick with them.

What can be done to spread awareness about safety issues?
MM: I think the continued use of newsletters and Ag Safety Days can help get the important information out to the eyes that need to see.

What do you do to stay safe during the workday?
MM: Every day, I work around students that have not used certain types of equipment. To stay safe, I always assess my surroundings and wear the proper PPE to not get into harm’s way, and no one else does around me.

How do you handle a safety concern among your students?
MM: The bulk of what I teach surrounds how to operate the various equipment used in the lab safely. During our opening statements in the lab, we always touch on the safety concerns with each piece of equipment and how using it correctly could save the student’s life.

What does your position do to mitigate accidents on the job?
MM: I mitigate accidents by providing the proper training to the students before using the tool. Students are also asked to view instructional videos posted before lab to ensure that they know the tools’ proper use.

What is the biggest concern teaching adults about safety precautions?
MM: I think the biggest concern is getting the adults to understand the gravity of agricultural safety and precations before a situation becomes life-threatening.

Do you have any advice for the agricultural sector in this time of uncertainty?
MM: I think the agricultural sector needs to continue working together and supporting each other while we continue in this time of uncertainty.

Submitted by Michael Masters