Thousands of farm accidents occur every year as a result of drug and alcohol use. Employees who abuse drugs and alcohol are:

• hurt on the job more often;
• more likely to injure co-workers;
• more likely to be absent or late; and
• less productive.

Drug and alcohol use costs employers millions of dollars a year.

TRUE STORY

A tractor operator drank a few beers during lunch. At the time, he was also taking cold medicine, but he didn't read the medication's instructions that advised against using power equipment or machinery. While driving to the orchard, he hit a field worker who sustained multiple fractures to both legs.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Never operate equipment, or even attempt to work, after drinking alcohol.
• Never mix alcohol and prescription drugs.
• Read the instructions when taking prescriptions.

Drugs, Alcohol and Work Do Not Mix

Operating power equipment, such as tractors, and working on ladders or elevated surfaces, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, can lead to severe and sometimes fatal accidents. Employees under the influence of drugs or alcohol lack alertness and do not make sound decisions.

Rule No. 1 for any farm operation

No employee shall report to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs, follow the instructions on the label. Check whether it's safe to operate power equipment while medicated.

Warning: Alcohol does not quench thirst, but dehydrates the body. Drinking beer at lunch will not replenish your bodily fluids, and it can impair your ability to work safely.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Educate employees on company policy regarding the use and possession of drugs and alcohol.
• Enforce rules pertaining to drugs and alcohol.
• Ensure that all employees work in a drug-free environment.
• Investigate any suspicion of drug or alcohol use at work.

Employee:

• Never possess illegal drugs or alcohol at work.
• Never work while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Alert a supervisor if others possess, or appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol--or if you're taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Many agricultural employers report that back strains are the most common injury to their workers. It's impossible to measure the pain and inconvenience caused by back problems. But back injuries cost employer and employee dearly--in terms of time, money, and missed hours at work.

TRUE STORY

To hook up a disc to a wheel tractor, a tractor operator positioned his tractor hitch for hookup. At that point, he noticed that the tongue of the disc had fallen from its stand. He dismounted his tractor and went into the repair shop to find a lifting jack. When he couldn't find a jack, he grew frustrated and tried to lift the tongue manually onto its stand.

He grabbed the tongue firmly and lifted it. Disregarding proper lifting techniques, he suffered a serious back injury that required surgery. He lost many months of work and experienced many years of pain.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Use mechanical devices to assist in lifting heavy objects.
• Follow proper lifting techniques when lifting any object or materials.
• Ask for help.

Watch Your Back!

• Training in proper lifting techniques can help prevent painful and costly back injuries.
• Protecting your back at work and at home is your best insurance against back injuries.
• Lift the tongue with your legs, not your back, when attaching farm implements.
• Get help when moving heavy irrigation pipe or materials.
• Limit the weight of loads that you lift. Know your lifting capabilities.
• Use material handling equipment whenever possible.
• Never twist, extend, or reach when handling or carrying an object.
• Don't jump off equipment, especially after sitting for long periods of time.
• Exercise your back daily. Simple exercises will help keep your back strong, straight, and flexible.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Train employees periodically on proper lifting techniques.
• Develop procedures when handling and/or moving materials.
• Provide necessary material handling equipment and devices.
• Analyze procedures that require repetitive lifting and bending.

Employee:

• Lift with your legs, not your back. Always use proper lifting techniques.
• Limit the weight of loads so that you don't exceed your lifting capacity. Ask for help.
• Use mechanical handling equipment.
• Suggest ways to make your jobsite and work activities safe for your back.

Hot working conditions can endanger the health of agricultural workers. This can pose problems if:

• The temperature and/or humidity levels rise to unsafe levels.
• The worker does not adjust to the hot environment.
• The worker does not drink enough water.
• The worker does not take rest breaks.
• The worker drinks beverages with alcohol or caffeine.

Prepare For Heat Exposure

Heat exposure can harm workers who do not prepare properly. It can take five to seven working days for individuals to adjust to hot weather. To minimize heat-related illnesses, watch for the onset of dehydration. It can occur quickly if lost fluids are not replenished. Review the list of symptoms and treatments (see below).

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Supply water for workers, and encourage them to drink a sufficient amount.
• Provide a shaded area for workers to rest during breaks.
• On abnormally hot and humid days, try to limit work to the cooler early morning or evening hours, or postpone work altogether.
• Learn to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
• Train supervisors to recognize the potential effects of heat exposure and to monitor workers closely throughout the day.
• Train workers on the dangers of heat-related illnesses, especially new employees not acclimated to the heat.

Employee:

• Drink water frequently to replenish lost fluids.
• Avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine; they can increase dehydration.
• Take sufficient rest breaks in a shady or cool area, especially if you are not acclimated to the heat.
• Learn to recognize symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
• Wear a hat, and white or light-color cotton clothing

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(Note: This is only a partial list of common symptoms and treatments for heat-related illnesses).

We choose how we react to change in our lives. Our physical and emotional reaction to change can cause stress.

By learning to manage stress, we gain control and improve our health. By identifying our stress triggers and becoming aware of how we feel when under stress, we can take steps to combat it. Simple relaxation techniques can help us offset stress with periods of calmness.

TRUE STORY

A lettuce packer for 12 years was promoted to supervisor of the packing house. Responsible for the quality of the lettuce pack-out, he managed over 100 employees.

He worked through his lunch hour and late into the evening to keep up with the paperwork, and he didn't take a day off for weeks on end. He insisted on making every decision relating to the packing house, even minor ones. He rarely delegated responsibility to his foremen or other employees.

During an early morning safety meeting, he collapsed while addressing his employees. Rushed to the hospital, doctors diagnosed a heart attack. His poor eating habits, smoking, lack of sleep, and personal and job stress contributed to his condition.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Delegate tasks to employees. This relieves your stress while motivating your staff to learn and grow on the job.
• Maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns.
• Stop smoking.
• Seek help if you feel overwhelmed.

Healthy Habits to Control Stress

• Organize your work and your time so that you impose order on each day. If you structure your day, you're less likely to feel overwhelmed.
• Make a daily to-do list that prioritizes your tasks in descending importance.
• When pressed for time, ask for help.
• Maintain regular sleeping patterns. A good night's rest will help you feel better and face the next day's challenges more effectively.
• Eat healthy foods. A balanced diet improves your physical and mental state.
• Keep moving. When you feel tense, take a short walk or do slow stretching exercises.
• Learn to relax. Find your own relaxation technique based on activities you like.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Create an environment that fosters open communication.
• Adjust employees' workloads to avoid burnout.
• Train new supervisors to handle their increased responsibilities.
• Emphasize teamwork and support so that employees feel comfortable helping each other.

Employee:

• Communicate any job concerns to your supervisor.
• Try to get and stay organized in approaching your workday.
• Take responsibility for your health and safety.
• Identify ways to relax on and off the job.
• Maintain perspective. Avoid worrying about minor matters; focus on more productive issues and happier thoughts.

Fires destroy lives, jobs and property. Flammable materials come in various forms: solids (wood and paper), liquids (gas, thinner), and vapors (propane, butane). The primary hazard of flammable material is fire or explosion.

You can prevent fires.

TRUE STORY

When repairing grain harvesters, a mechanic climbed a wooden ladder to reach the top of the harvesters. He used a welder to repair a grain harvester receiving bin. But he didn't realize that a hot spark had lodged in the corner of the ladder rung. Upon completing the repair, he returned the ladder where it belonged--alongside other wooden ladders. Then he went home.

The ladder smoldered. The dry wood, grease and oil on the rungs (left by the mechanic's shoes) quickly ignited. As the fire intensified, flames rapidly engulfed the barn. Within 20 minutes, the whole barn was destroyed.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Use the appropriate ladder for the job task. Aluminum or fiberglass ladders are less combustible than wood.
• Wet down or remove combustible material near welding or cutting operations.

How to Prevent Fires

A fire requires heat, an ignition source, oxygen and fuel. Eliminate one of these elements and a fire cannot exist.

One of the most important ways to prevent fires is to handle and dispose of flammable materials carefully. Store them properly to minimize the potential for combustion. Read and follow product warning labels and review the material safety data sheets (MSDS), especially the section on flammability and proper storage.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Provide safe containers for storing flammable materials. Instruct employees in the proper storing procedures.
• Check that proper fire extinguishers are located throughout the building and premises, and inspect them regularly. Make sure they are maintained according to manufacturer's recommendations.
• Train employees to use fire extinguishers and instruct them to try to contain only small fires.
• Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDS) from product suppliers and review flammability and storage instructions with employees.
• Designate smoking and no smoking areas.
• Train employees to evacuate building and premises in case of fire.

Employee:

• Learn to use a fire extinguisher.
• Keep fuels away from open flames, sparks, and hot surfaces. Store flammable materials in a proper container.
• Keep the work area clean and free of flammable materials.
• Respond to any significant fire by sounding the alarm and evacuating the premises. Only try to extinguish the smallest fires; if you have any doubt what to do, sound the alarm and evacuate.

Many severe injuries to agricultural workers involve harvest machinery. Missing guards and shields, failure to recognize hazards, and careless operation of machinery often contribute to harvesting equipment accidents.

Manufacturers attempt to build safety features into equipment. But that's not enough. You need to establish a timely maintenance program to keep harvesting equipment in safe condition.

TRUE STORY

A farm worker was driving a mechanical fig harvester in an orchard to sweep figs off the ground. A conveyor belt carried the figs past a big fan that blew dirt and leaves from the figs. A metal cover guarded the metal fan; however, the fan exhaust outlet was not guarded.

As the worker stood in front of the exhaust outlet so that it would blow dirt and dust off his clothing, he placed his foot inside the exhaust outlet and accidentally made contact with the fan's blades. The rotating blades caught his foot and amputated it.

A co-worker turned off the harvester and a nearby foreman called 911 from his mobile phone. Paramedics rushed the injured worker to the hospital, but his foot was too mangled for surgeons to reattach it.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Use machinery only for its designed purpose and only after completing safety training.
• Design and place guard covers over the exhaust fan outlet to prevent employees from coming into contact with rotating fans.

2 Keys to Safety: Maintenance and Alertness

Prevent harvest machinery accidents by focusing on proper maintenance and employee alertness.

• Maintenance. A planned maintenance program can minimize downtime and reduce injuries during the harvest. Complete pre-season maintenance and repair several weeks before harvest time.
• Employee alertness. Fatigue, drowsiness, and illness are prime contributors to harvest injuries. Periodic breaks minimize the monotony and fatigue of machine operations.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Develop rules to operate and maintain harvesting equipment.
• Train employees on the driving characteristics of each harvesting machine.
• Provide personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate for the work, including hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection and dust masks or respirators.
• Supervise harvesting equipment operators continually.
• Ensure all guards, shields and safety signs are properly installed on harvesting equipment.
• Review maintenance records periodically to verify that harvesting equipment is properly serviced to eliminate hazards.

Employee:

• Know the operating characteristics of harvesting equipment. Review each machine's operations manual.
• Never modify or remove any safety features of harvesting equipment.
• Always buckle your seat belts and/or restraints before you operate the equipment.
• Keep others away from the operating area.
• Never use attachments unless specifically authorized by the harvester's manufacturer.
• Lower raised harvester components to the ground and set the parking brakes before dismounting.
• Turn off the engine, cycle hydraulic controls and remove the ignition key before leaving harvester unattended.
• Never allow children to play on or around machinery.
• Wear all protective clothing and equipment issued to you by your supervisor.
• Turn off harvester engine when refueling, and don't smoke.
• Use harvester's hand grips to dismount. Never jump from harvester when dismounting.
• Shut off power before you try to dislodge or clear clogged equipment parts by hand.
• Wear comfortable close-fitting clothing, including appropriate protective footwear.
• Never operate equipment when under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs that can cause drowsiness.
• Inspect your harvester daily. Confirm that all guards and shields are secure and in place.
• Report missing shields, machine damage, unusual vibration or noise to a supervisor immediately.

Irrigators perform many potentially hazardous tasks. Their failure to follow safe practices can cause a wide range of injuries. Examples include dermatitis (rashes), heat- and cold-related problems, strains and sprains, broken bones, and insect and animal bites.

How to Prevent Irrigation Injuries

• All irrigators must:
• Follow company safety rules at all times, and receive safety training.
• Dress appropriately to avoid extreme temperature-related problems, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and frostbite. Wear proper footgear and keep feet as dry as possible.
• Move sprinkler pipe with care, particularly to prevent it from coming into contact with overhead power lines. Always maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance.
• Drive all terrain vehicles (ATVs) at safe speeds when traveling to work sites.
• Avoid riding on tractors and pipe trailers unless the vehicle is equipped to carry passengers.
• Follow proper techniques to shovel mud and dirt, and lift pipe, to avoid back injury. Move only one sprinkler line at a time. Complete warm-up exercises beforehand, especially in colder weather.
• Ensure that pumps are off before disassembling mainline and sprinkler pipes. This prevents injuries from pressurized lines.
• Enlist at least one co-worker to help lift mainline.
• Avoid horseplay at all times.
• Avoid jumping ditches and canals whenever possible. Only walk through shallow ditches when wearing proper footgear, and when using a shovel for stability. Use walk-over platforms to cross deeper, wider ditches.
• Avoid swimming in water in ditches and canals. It's often cold and swift, making swimming dangerous.
• Watch for snakes and spiders in valve boxes, pipe joints, and other hiding places. Get prompt medical treatment for any bites.
• Avoid drinking irrigation water. It may be treated with hazardous pesticides or fertilizers, making it unsafe to drink.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Develop and enforce rules for all workers, including irrigators and tractor drivers.
• Provide initial training to irrigators, and conduct seasonal review of safety policies and procedures.
• Note dangerous situations, such as work sites with overhead power lines, and follow appropriate procedures to prevent injury.
• Make transportation available to take workers to job sites as necessary. Instruct them to avoid riding on tractors and pipe trailers, unless the vehicle is equipped to carry passengers.

Employee:

• Follow all safety rules and procedures.
• Avoid working too quickly and taking short cuts that increase your risk of injury.
• Report any unsafe actions or conditions to a supervisor.

In the rush to repair machinery, you may not check whether it's turned off first. That's a dangerous mistake.

Failure to lockout/tagout machinery before working on it can cause serious injury and death. In a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics study on injuries related to servicing equipment, 80 percent of workers failed to turn off equipment before working on it.

Workers are electrocuted, lose fingers and arms, or suffer severe crushing injuries because machinery is on while they try to repair, maintain or adjust it.

TRUE STORY

The power switch was not locked out when an irrigation supervisor began working on an electric pump. A co-worker accidentally threw on the power switch. The supervisor received a shock, causing temporary loss of consciousness.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Follow proper lockout/ tagout procedures at all times.

Best Practices for Lockout/ Tagout Procedures

Hazards exist whenever:

• protective guards are removed;
• you put equipment into an unusual position; or
• you adjust equipment.

Train everyone who operates, adjusts, removes jams, lubricates, repairs, or works on a machine to follow lockout/tagout procedures. As a result, they will avoid injuring themselves and others. Prevent machine-related injuries by establishing and using an effective lockout/tagout program.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Establish and implement an effective lockout/tagout program.
• Educate all employees about the lockout/tagout procedure, and its importance in preventing injuries.
• Identify all power sources that require lockout/tagout procedures, including electrical circuits, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, spring energy, and gravity-type systems.
• Assign each employee a personal lock, marked with his or her name and department.
• Verify after work is completed on equipment that employees follow safety procedures prior to restart.

Employee:

• Neutralize power sources. Disconnect electricity. Block movable parts. Release or block spring energy. Drain or bleed hydraulic or pneumatic lines. Lower any suspended parts to a rest position.
• Follow all lockout/tagout procedures and guidelines.
• Never assume power sources are off until you complete all the lockout/tagout procedure steps.
• See your supervisor immediately if you're unsure about following lockout/tagout procedures.
• Tag out all power sources and machines. Always use tags to explain the reason for the lockout, the name of the person putting the lock on, how to reach that person, and the date and time of tagging.

About 15,000 eye injuries occur on American farms every year, along with burns, cuts, abrasions and sprains to body parts. Many of these injuries happen in farm shops, especially hand and eye injuries. Most farmers and their employees perform their own maintenance on equipment, and operate potentially dangerous farm shop tools.

TRUE STORY

A farm shop employee was sharpening drill bits with a shop bench grinder. While he was using the grinder stone, it shattered and pieces of stone flew into his face and eyes. He sustained cuts to the face and hands, and received eye abrasion injuries. He was not wearing a face shield or leather gloves.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Wear safety glasses, a face shield, and leather gloves when operating a bench grinder.
• Inspect shop tools periodically. Check grinding wheels for cracks and flaws.
• Adjust the tool rest to 1/8 of an inch from the grinding wheel and ensure it's firmly in place.

Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher

Every fire extinguisher is rated for the type of fire it can put out. Before you use an extinguisher, check its rating to see if it can extinguish the fire. This information should be clearly listed on the fire extinguisher.

Tips for Farm Shop Safety

• Demonstrate and follow safe work practices at all times in the farm shop. Education promotes injury prevention.
• Use shop tools and equipment properly; follow all safety and repair procedures.
• Avoid horseplay and inappropriate practical jokes in the farm shop.
• Review all hazard communication relating to farm maintenance, including safety warning signs and Material Safety Data Sheets.
• Wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, and face shields.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Establish and enforce specific shop safety rules.
• Train workers to use all tools and equipment properly and instruct them to keep manufacturer's guards in place at all times.
• Insist that workers wear personal protective equipment at all times when operating equipment and using tools.
• Establish a system to inspect all shop tools periodically.

Employee:

• Follow all safety rules when operating tools and equipment.
• Never remove guards and other protective devices from equipment.
• Use equipment for intended design purposes only.
• Tag any defective or damaged equipment "Out of Service" and immediately report the problem to your supervisor.
• Ask your supervisor immediately if you have a safety question.

Working in a dairy barn requires long hours and attention to details. Many animal-contact injuries occur while milking and transporting cows. Dairy animals can be unpredictable and dangerous, particularly bulls.

TRUE STORY

At the beginning of a milking shift, an employee opened the gate from the corrals to the milking barn. As he hurriedly herded cows into the barn, he maneuvered between the cows in an effort to reach his milking station in the milking pit. He slapped a cow on the rump to move it forward, startling the cow. The cow kicked the milker's right knee, causing severe injury. After a lengthy stay at the hospital for a broken knee, the milker's knee remains permanently damaged.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Never approach cattle directly from the rear. Always make sure the animal knows you are approaching.
• Always leave yourself a way out if an animal reacts unpredictably.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Use only experienced milkers with first lactation and fresh cows. An animal experiencing an adverse environment during her initial milking can be difficult her entire life.
• Inspect milking barn equipment periodically to identify hazards. Train employees to identify hazards and report them to a supervisor immediately.
• Train employees to use milking equipment, manage cows and handle sanitation chemicals.
• Provide personal protective equipment such as rubber boots, aprons, and if needed, safety glasses and rubber gloves.
• Instruct employees to notify a supervisor if animals become aggressive or hard to control.

Employee:

• Inspect all equipment and the work area in the milking barn before every milking shift. Report all hazardous conditions to your supervisor.
• Follow all rules and regulations developed by your employer. Wear protective clothing and any personal safety devices issued to you by your employer.
• Report unsafe conditions and/or equipment damage to a supervisor immediately.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away from the milking barn and cattle holding areas.
• Repair equipment in the milking barn only after the power source is locked out and tagged out. Never take short cuts.

Many agricultural worker fatalities involve operating or riding in motor vehicles, according to a recent study. Agricultural employees who ride in the open bed of a pickup on public roads pose an especially high risk.

Evaluate your driving habits. Know the rules of the road and concentrate at all times while driving. Monitor your speed and the actions of other drivers.

TRUE STORY

An agriculture chemical company employee was driving the company truck, pulling an ammonia tank. The lower prong of the pinhole hitch fractured. The bouncing motion, along with the swaying of the truck, caused the pin to bounce straight up and out of the remaining pinhole prong. This separated the truck from the tank. The driver lost control of the vehicle and, after hitting a utility pole, it spun into the oncoming traffic lane and then veered off the road. It came to a rest upside down in a field. Thrown through the driver's side door window, the driver lay several feet from the vehicle. He hadn't worn a seat belt. The driver sustained a fractured left shoulder and a cracked third vertebra in the neck.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Always wear your seat belt when operating a motor vehicle.
• Inspect vehicles and towing equipment prior to use, including hitches, hitching pins and safety chains.
• Adjust speeds to road conditions.

Safe Driving Tips

• Always wear your seat belt. It can save your life - and it's the law!
• Never use alcohol or illegal drugs at work. Never drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair your driving.
• Note changing weather conditions and adjust your speed accordingly.
• Maintain a safe following distance of three car lengths from other vehicles.
• Pay special attention when driving farm equipment on public roads. Make your farm vehicle highly visible by turning on lights and flashers, attaching a "Slow Moving" emblem to farm equipment, and affixing red caution flags to machinery that juts out of your vehicle. When possible, use a pilot vehicle.
• Transport workers over public roads only in vehicles with adequate seats and restraints.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Check that all vehicles are in safe working condition. Follow a maintenance program to inspect farm vehicles regularly.
• Ensure that all operators undergo initial training in motor vehicle operation safety. Periodically check their licenses for current status.
• Monitor employees' driving habits. Review DMV records at specified intervals.
• Attach "Slow Moving" warning emblems to farm equipment to increase their visibility to 25 feet.

Employee:

• Inspect vehicles daily. Check oil, water, headlights, tires, mirrors, brakes and wipers.
• Notify supervisors of vehicles that need repairs.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Never use alcohol or illegal drugs at work. Never drink and drive. Prescription drugs can cause drowsiness, so check the label.
• Operate only those farm vehicles that you're authorized to drive.
• Keep your employer informed of changes in your driving or licensing status.
• Check that "Slow Moving" vehicle emblems are clearly visible on farm equipment before driving on the road.
• Obey all traffic laws.

Orchard ladders cause many serious incidents on farms each year, mostly because workers do not take time to use the ladders properly. Choose high-quality, well-constructed ladders and match the ladder to the kind of work to be performed.

TRUE STORY

After the owner of a pear orchard hired 20 harvesters to pick fruit, his supervisor issued picking bags and ladders to the harvesters. Because it was urgent to pick fruit, the supervisor skipped the usual morning safety meeting and sent the crew straight to work.

As workers moved around the pear tree, one of them stood on the top rung reaching for the fruit. Not taking the time to move the ladder, he overreached, lost his balance, and fell 12 feet, suffering a broken ankle.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Train harvesters to use an orchard ladder.
• Supervise the harvesting crew continually. Correct unsafe acts or conditions immediately.

Ladder Safety Tips

• Select a ladder of proper length to reach working heights.
• Inspect ladders before each use. Check that all working parts are in good working order. Never climb a bent or broken ladder.
• Confirm ladder steps are level, and that the third leg is stable and positioned straight away from the center line of the ladder.
• Never place a metal ladder near electrical wires. Stay at least 10 feet from voltage line.
• Never leave a ladder set up and unattended if children are nearby.
• Avoid ladders if you:
  • tire easily;
  • have fainting spells;
  • use medication or alcohol; or
  • are physically handicapped in a way that makes ladder use difficult.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Purchase ladders of proper length to reach working heights. Select ladders designed for the work to be performed.
• Establish and enforce ladder safety rules.
• Train employees to use ladders properly, including inspections, set-ups, climbing, and descending.
• Develop a system to inspect ladders periodically.

Employee:

• Inspect the ladder upon receipt and before each use. Make sure all rivets, joints, nuts, and bolts are tightened, and that feet, steps, and rungs are secure.
• Keep ladder clean and free from grease or mud. Clean your shoes before using ladder.
• Never make temporary repairs to damaged or missing parts. Report all damaged ladders to your supervisor.
• Never set a ladder near electrical wires.
• Never use a ladder on hard or slippery surfaces. Use orchard ladders for orchard use only.
• Face the ladder when climbing up or down. Center your body between side rails.
• Maintain a firm grip. Use both hands while climbing ladders.
• Do not overreach; instead, move the ladder as needed. Never walk (or jog) the ladder when standing on it.
• Do not stand on the top two steps. Do not sit on the top rung.
• Limit one person to a ladder at a time.
• Avoid pushing or pulling off the side of the ladder.
• Secure ladders properly while in transit.
• Never jump from a ladder.
• Never support a ladder on tree branches. Keep both feet on the ladder at all times.

Agricultural packing houses have many gears, belts, rollers, and other moving machinery. Failure to work carefully around this machinery can cause serious injury or death. For example, packing house employees can suffer severe crushing and amputation injuries when they attempt to remove jams, or when they perform unauthorized repairs to machinery. Understanding and following packing house rules and regulations can prevent such accidents.

TRUE STORY

In an apple packing house, a worker was using a sorting belt to remove large apples from the belt and put them in shipping boxes. When an apple was caught between the conveyor belts, the worker tried to remove it by reaching under the machine's guard. As she attempted to maneuver her hand and arm through the moving parts of the belt, her arm was pulled in and fractured in three places. The rotating belt peeled the skin off her forearm.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Never try to correct jams or repair machinery without authorization.
• Never bypass safety guards.
• Place warning labels on machinery to alert employees of danger.

How to Keep a Packing House Safe

• Inspect packing house machinery periodically to identify hazards. Train employees to spot hazards and report them to a supervisor immediately.
• Keep all machine guards in place.
• Packing houses have lots of traffic. Employees should avoid loading, receiving, and dumping areas unless assigned to work there.
• Train employees in proper lifting procedures.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Guard packing house equipment well, and use warning labels to help employees identify hazards.
• Set and enforce policies on safe attire in a packing house, such as closed-toe shoes, snug fitting clothing, and hair restraints.
• Develop a system to inspect packing house equipment and machinery periodically.
• Forbid employees to perform unauthorized work on machinery.
• Develop rules for proper operation and maintenance of packing house equipment.
• Develop a lockout/ tagout program.
• Train employees in the operating characteristics of packing house equipment.
• Provide employees with personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, and hearing protection.
• Provide a designated area for employees to take breaks.

Employee:

• Inspect machinery for unsafe conditions before starting your shift. Check for loose or missing guards, worn belts, etc. Report unsafe conditions to a supervisor immediately.
• Wear proper clothing as required by your employer.
• Never try to correct hazards without authorization.
• Never get on, start, or handle any forklift or other equipment unless authorized.
• Never hitch a ride on forklifts or other equipment.
• Know the location of the nearest off switch to your workstation. Keep your work area neat, and discard all waste in trash containers. Pick up all produce from the floor.
• Keep your hands free and clear of all belts, rollers, or other moving equipment.
• Use care when walking on wet floors. Hold handrails on stairs.
• Never wear loose or floppy clothing or jewelry that can get caught in belts, rollers, or other moving equipment.
• Always wear personal protective equipment issued by your employer.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol at work. Check prescription drugs to assure they don't cause drowsiness.
• See your supervisor immediately if you're uncertain about a job task, or how to operate packing house equipment.

Applying pesticides requires special skills and responsibilities. Everyone who applies pesticides, or supervises pesticide applicators, must ensure the chemicals are handled properly and safely.

Anyone who works with pesticides--chemicals that control undesirable plants, animals and insects--can face a risk. Even if you don't work with pesticides, your exposure to them can pose a risk if you work in areas where they have been used. Pesticides can enter the body through the nose, mouth, skin, and eyes.

TRUE STORY

An experienced pesticide applicator was applying a restricted insecticide in a peach orchard. The orchard's owner provided all the personal protective equipment to the applicator, in accordance with the pesticide's label instructions.

The applicator changed the respirator cartridges every four hours, per the supervisor's instructions. But when changing the cartridges, the applicator failed to remove his rubber gloves. The gloves were contaminated with pesticide and it passed to the inner side of the respirator's face-piece and cartridges.

The applicator grew ill. Using the CB radio in the truck, the applicator called for help. He was rushed to the hospital and treated for pesticide poisoning.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Train applicators in the use and care of personal protective equipment.
• Help applicators remove and change respirator cartridges.

Proper Care and Handling of Pesticides

• Proper work procedures, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), prevent pesticide-related illnesses. Appropriate PPE varies; it's based on the kind of pesticides used, the application method, and workplace conditions.
• Personal protective equipment can include coveralls, long-sleeve shirts and pants, chemical-resistant boots, aprons, hats, gloves, goggles, face shields, and respirators.
• Pesticide labels contain information that ensures safe use, such as the specific PPE to use. Follow all instructions on the label.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Identify the required PPE for each pesticide use.
• Purchase and issue PPE to employees.
• Develop pesticide-safe work procedures and training policies.
• Communicate supervisors' responsibilities and accountability for monitoring and enforcing compliance with all PPE policies.

Employee:

• Read the label and follow your employer's PPE policies when working with any pesticide.
• Inform your supervisor immediately if you don't have the required PPE, or your PPE is defective.
• Always use personal protective equipment. It could save your life!
• Ask your supervisor immediately if you have a safety question.

Agricultural augers come with many different operating characteristics. That's why it's especially important to read the operating instructions before using any type of auger. Anyone who uses or works around a portable auger must be trained in its proper use.

TRUE STORY

An employee was operating a portable auger at a rice drying and storage plant. He left the auger running while cleaning it. He inspected the auger's receiving bin and noticed the safety gates were loose and out of place. Grabbing the gates with his right hand, he tried to force the gates into place when his hand slipped and his index and middle finger made contact with the rotating auger. His fingers were amputated. Hearing his cry for help, a co-worker arrived quickly, stopped the machine, administered first-aid and drove the injured employee to the hospital. The fingers were too badly mangled for the doctors to surgically reattach them.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Never perform auger maintenance while it's running. Always use a lockout/tagout method to ensure the machine will not start accidentally.

Safety Tips In Handling Augers

• Prior to starting up an auger:
• Check that the work area is clean and free of debris and tools that might cause accidental tripping and falling. Secure footing prevents auger accidents.
• Inspect the auger to ensure it's anchored properly and in good repair.
• Arrange for a worker to monitor the auger operation, and be alert to unusual vibration, noise, and loose fasteners.
• When servicing or adjusting augers, always shut down and lockout/ tagout your power source to prevent accidental start-up.
• When transporting augers, make sure the auger is empty and in the down position. Never transport the auger at high speed.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Develop rules for proper operation and maintenance of augers, including procedures for locking out and tagging out auger drives and power sources.
• Supervise auger operators continually.
• Instruct employees in the proper procedures for auger inspection, transportation and placement.

Employee:

• Understand the different operating characteristics of each agricultural auger.
• Keep all safety shield devices in place. Never modify or remove any safety features of the auger, and never use attachments unless specifically authorized by the auger manufacturer.
• Keep all unauthorized personnel away from the operating zones.
• Transport and move empty augers in the down position, checking constantly for overhead obstructions and electrical wires.
• Never allow anyone to ride on the auger when it's in transit.
• Wear protective clothing and personal safety devices issued by your supervisor.
• Inspect your equipment thoroughly before starting.
• Stay away from the auger operating drive lines.
• Keep hands, feet, hair and clothing away from moving parts.
• Report all unsafe conditions and equipment damage to your supervisor immediately.

INTRODUCTION

Avian influenza is a viral disease that can cause sickness and death among poultry. On rare occasions, avian influenza virus can be transmitted to poultry workers or others who come in contact with infected poultry or contact contaminated surfaces. Examples of such workers who could be at risk include poultry growers and their employees; service technicians of poultry processing companies; caretakers, layer barn workers, and chick movers at egg production facilities; and workers involved in disease control and eradication activities, including state, federal, contract, and company employees.

Avian influenza is a disease caused by infection of poultry with type A influenza viruses. Low-pathogenic strains typically cause few or no signs in infected birds. When signs are seen, they may include respiratory problems, diarrhea, a decline in egg production, or an increase in mortality. However, under field conditions, some low-pathogenic strains can mutate and become highly pathogenic, leading to the deaths of entire flocks. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is extremely contagious and a fatal form of the disease for poultry.

Although avian influenza A viruses rarely infect humans, since 1997, instances of human infection have occurred; some (outside the United States) have resulted in death. The virus is excreted in the droppings of infected birds and in their respiratory secretions. Transmission to humans is thought to have resulted from contact with infected sick or dead poultry or their droppings, or contact with contaminated litter or surfaces (e.g., egg flats). The suspected routes of entry of the virus to humans are the mouth, nose, eyes, and lungs. Although the human health risk of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses is not well established, protective measures should be taken by persons likely to have prolonged direct or indirect exposure to any avian influenza virus in an enclosed setting.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Follow biosecurity practices to prevent spread of disease between farms and to employees
• Train supervisors to know the signs indicating birds are infected with avian influenza viruses
• Train supervisors to know the signs and symptoms of human infection with avian influenza viruses
• Provide antiviral medication and current season's influenza vaccine if appropriate
• Provide appropriate personal protective equipment
• Provide appropriate hygiene facilities

Employee:

• Wash hands frequently if in close contact with the infected animals, contaminated surfaces, or after removing gloves.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including protective clothing and gloves and foot coverings that can be disinfected or disposed, respirators and goggles.
• Take antiviral medication and get the current season's influenza vaccine if appropriate
• Monitor health for the development of fever, respiratory symptoms, and/or conjunctivitis
• Seek medical care if ill and, prior to arrival, notify health care provider that they may have been exposed to avian influenza.

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

US Department of Agriculture

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States. They include slips or trips, or falls from heights such as ladders. Falls can often be prevented.

TRUE STORY

A cotton-picker driver suffered severe knee and ankle injuries when he jumped from the ladder of his picker instead of climbing down. He fell when his foot hit a dirt clod as he landed on the rough ground. His injured knee required two surgeries, preventing him from returning to work that season

What could have prevented this accident?

• Never jump from equipment. Climb down.

How Does It Happen?

Here are some of the most common causes of serious injury from falls on a farm:

• Jumping from trucks, tractors, harvest equipment, or other agricultural implements, instead of using ladders or steps.
• Jumping off ladders, building roofs, hay bales, etc.
• Standing on forklift forks, pipe trailers, or machinery, where standing is not intended.
• Running through storage yards, fields, and buildings.
• Jumping over ditches and canals.
• Tripping or slipping on fruit, dirt clods, weeds, wire, cuttings, etc.
• Poor housekeeping.

Take safety precautions to prevent slip, trip and fall injuries.  For example, build footbridges to cross canals, and make sure they are securely in place. Do not remove them.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Encourage employees to report hazards to you, and take corrective action, including providing safety equipment, additional training, and improving housekeeping.
• Discipline employees who violate your safety policy. Document all violations.
• Provide adequate lighting, particularly in packing sheds, shops, and during night operations in the field.
• Contact your local Zenith office and ask for our Safety and Health Ag Specialists if you have questions.

Employee:

• Notify a supervisor of any hazard.
• Wear proper footwear when working around agricultural equipment. Tennis shoes or open-toed shoes are not acceptable footwear.
• Keep walkways, stairs, and steps (including equipment steps) clean and clear of obstacles.
• Ask a supervisor if you're unsure about your job assignment or have a safety concern.

Agricultural workers risk eye injuries when performing many common job tasks. These injuries range from minor abrasions, causing mild discomfort and loss of production time, to major, disabling conditions that cause severe pain and possible vision loss.

TRUE STORY

To build a wooden fence around a lagoon on a dairy ranch, a worker used an electric nail gun. His supervisor trained him to use the nail gun properly, and gave him safety glasses and leather gloves.

Returning to work after his lunch break, the worker realized that he forgot to bring his safety glasses. He resumed working with the nail gun without wearing safety glasses.

A nail struck the head of a previous sunken nail and bounced, hitting the worker in his right eye. Hearing the worker's cry for help, the supervisor rushed to the scene and took the injured employee to the hospital. But physicians were unable to save the employee's eye.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Wear appropriate eye protection. In this case, use safety glasses approved by the American National Standards Institute - Standard Z-78.1--and possibly a face shield to deflect objects.

How to Protect Your Eyes

Employee awareness of job hazards and proper selection and consistent use of approved eye protection will prevent eye injuries. Workers should wear appropriate eye protection and equipment to protect from dust, foreign objects, ultraviolet rays from welding, and chemical splashes. Install and maintain protective shields and guarding on power implements, such as brush shredders and shop grinders.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Conduct initial and ongoing evaluations so that all power equipment with eye-injury potential has shields and guards in place and operable.
• Identify all activities that require protective eye equipment, and educate workers to use the equipment consistently.
• Assure that protective eye equipment is appropriate to address the hazard. Safety glasses must be approved by the American National Standards Institute - Standard Z-78.1.
• Develop safe work procedures to prevent eye injuries.
• Monitor employee compliance in using protective eye equipment and develop an employee disciplinary program for non-compliance.

Employee:

• Understand and follow your employer's rules to prevent eye injuries.
• Ask your supervisor if you're unsure when and how to wear personal protective equipment.
• Inform your supervisor immediately if equipment shields/guards are missing or broken or if you need eye protection equipment.

Loud or prolonged exposure to noise can cause hearing loss. The damage may occur gradually, but it's permanent and very real. You may not know that excessive noise is endangering your hearing until it's too late; while it's happening, it's painless and hard to detect. But you can prevent it.

TRUE STORY

A tractor operator was operating an open-cab tractor 10-12 hours a day preparing a field--without wearing hearing protection. Within a week, he woke up one morning and could barely hear. His doctor diagnosed temporary hearing loss and warned that repeated exposure could cause permanent hearing loss. Fortunately, his hearing returned within a few days and he started wearing hearing protection at all times when driving a tractor.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Conduct sound-level testing of noisy equipment to determine if the noise level warrants hearing protection and worker training.
• Apply this test: If it's hard to talk with someone with noisy equipment nearby, make sure workers wear hearing protection.

Take the 90-Decibel Test

Prevent hearing loss by wearing hearing protection when noise levels are at or above 90 decibels (dB) for an 8-hour period. How noisy is 90 dB? As a rule, the noise is excessive if you must raise your voice to be heard and understood when standing at arm's length from the other person.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Identify high-risk noise areas where hearing protection should be worn.
• Conduct sound-level testing of noisy job positions.
• Train employees in the proper fit, use, and care of hearing protection devices, such as earplugs and earmuffs.

Employee:

• Notify a supervisor of excessively noisy areas or equipment.
• Wear hearing protection provided by your employer.
• Participate in training in the proper use of hearing protection devices.
• Reduce excessive noise at home that may impact your hearing. Wear hearing protection to protect yourself, if necessary.

Pruning accidents can cause lacerations of the eye, hand, or face, along with strains, slips, trips and falls, and possible electrocution. Permanent disability can result when employees fall from ladders and pruning towers, or suffer amputations and lacerations.

These accidents devastate both workers and employers. Injured employees experience pain, suffering, and loss of income. Employers incur steep costs, such as hiring, training, loss of productivity, and escalating workers' compensation premiums.

TRUE STORY

An employee was carrying pruning shears in a vineyard when he tripped and fell on the open blades. Because he was holding the pruning shears with the blades pointing up toward his body, he lacerated his hand as he fell. Yet he was lucky: This injury could have been much more severe.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Train employees to carry pruning tools with the blades pointed down.
• Seek early detection of unsafe work habits. Recognize good work habits, and discipline employees who engage in unsafe behavior.
• Train employees to notice unsafe behavior, and intervene to prevent accidents, when necessary.

Training for Safety

Train employees to conduct tool and equipment inspection, and to use, transport, and store pruning tools properly. Power tool operation (including chainsaws, power-pole saws, and pneumatic or hydraulic shears) requires specific training, because these tools can pose serious hazards.

Anyone who operates hedging and topping machines must have experience and/or thorough training and adequate supervision. All operators should read a machine's manual before use.

Elevated platforms may lack stability or pose other safety risks. Operators must have experience and/or thorough training.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Conduct initial orientation training on correct pruning tool handling.
• Supervise workers in vineyards and orchards. Identify hazards, such as uneven terrain and high voltage electrical lines in the area. Alert employees to such hazards.
• Recognize and praise employees who demonstrate safe work habits, and discipline those who exhibit unsafe habits.
• Train employees to take responsibility for safety by encouraging them to remind each other to correct hazardous acts.

Employee:

• Take proper care of pruning tools and inspect them periodically.
• Make sure to use protective sheaths and other carrying equipment.
• Follow training instructions, and remind co-workers to work safely.

While an agricultural forklift provides superhuman strength to make work faster and easier, it can also pose serious danger to users who don't operate it safely. Knowledge is power when it comes to forklifts, so know and follow all safety guidelines to avoid accidents.

TRUE STORY

A farm worker on an orchard was helping a forklift operator load boxes onto a pallet on the forklift's forks. When they completed loading the boxes, the forklift operator gave his co-worker a ride and they headed to the equipment storage shed. Traveling at high speed, the forklift's front right tire struck a large hole in the pavement. This bounced the forklift, throwing the co-worker underneath the left front tire and fracturing his left leg.

What could have prevented this accident?

• Forbid extra riders on agricultural forklifts. .
• Operate forklifts at a safe speed.
• Watch for holes and obstructions when operating a forklift.

Safety Tips for Agricultural Forklifts

• Understand your forklift's special features. Each one comes with different lifting capacities and driving characteristics.
• Learn special driving skills, like keeping loads low and avoiding sharp turns. Driving a forklift is not the same as driving a car.
• Load and unload with care. With so many steps involved, loading and unloading can cause work injuries and property damage.
• Drive forklifts below 15 m.p.h. Speeding, especially on wet or slippery pavement, invites disaster.

EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Employer:

• Develop rules to operate and maintain forklifts safely.
• Train employees on the unique driving characteristics of each forklift.
• Provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection and wet-weather gear.
• Supervise forklift operators continually.