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Cold Weather Increases Risk Of Accidents
PDMP Safety Tip
December 2009
As we head into winter weather, we need to be aware of the increased risk of accidents that come with this season. Roads and walkways are often slippery. Danger of frost bite exists on some days. Frustration with equipment that balks on cold mornings can lead to rushing and taking chances. Remember to keep gas tanks near full when driving, in case you might get stranded and need to keep the car heater going. Be sure that heating systems or space heaters are properly maintained. For those of use with children, remember that they watch us and imitate us. Let’s set a great example, and have a blessed holiday season.
Most Cows Are Gentle, But They’re Still Big!
PDMP Safety Tip
November 2009
Those of us who work around dairy cows regularly may get complacent because they are usually very gentle animals. However, they are very large animals, and if we get between them and something hard, we are likely to be injured. Consider these three true situations:
- A dairy producer was trying to roll a down cow. He had his leg braced against her, and she struggled, rolled back against his leg, and broke it in several places. Unable to find adequate help, he had to disburse the herd.
- Another producer was “squeezing” through a gate between free stall groups, when several cows moved against the gate, trapping him between the gate and the post. A protruding latch pipe was forced into his abdomen, puncturing his liver. He died before his family could get him to the hospital.
- One more dairy farmer was down on one knee between two cows in a tie stall barn. The cow behind him stepped on his lower leg, shattering it. A long recuperation was needed before he could work again
The moral is to be constantly aware of your location in regard to your animals. Don’t let yourself get trapped.
Factors That Contribute To Accidents
PDPM Safety Tip
October 2009
According to Safe Start/Safe Track, there are four states of mind that contribute to four conditions that predispose people to accidents. The four states of mind are rushing, fatigue, frustration, and complacency. These states of mind lead to people having mind not on task, eyes not on task, being in the line of fire, or losing traction or grip.
What is the take home lesson from this? Simply that you should try to be aware of when you are in one of those states of mind, and then make some mental adjustments. If you find yourself rushing to finish a job, remind yourself not to take chances with safety. If you are frustrated, take a five minute break to step back and rethink things. If you are complacent, sharpen your awareness of dangers. If you are tired, give yourself permission to rest a bit. Avoiding an accident makes any of these actions worth while
You can learn more on this and other subjects at www.safestart.com
Speak Up And Make A Difference!
September 2009 Safety Tip
PDMP Safety Tip provided courtesy of Cargill Animal Nutrition
Being an advocate for safety is not always easy. Sometime there seem to be something “un-manly” about urging others to take precautions. Too often we see someone doing something we know is not safe, but we do not say anything. Take a minute now and read the poem below. Do not let yourself ever be in the position of the author.
I Chose to Look the Other Way
I could’ve saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care, I had the time and I was there.
But I didn’t want to seem a fool, Or argue over a safety rule.
I knew he’d done the job before, If I spoke up, he might get sore.
The chances didn’t seem that bad, I’d done the same; he knew I had.
So I shook my head and walked on by, He knew the risk as well as I.
He took the chance, I closed an eye, And with that act, I let him die.
I could’ve saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way.
Now every time I see his wife, I know I should’ve saved his life.
That guilt is something I must bear, But isn’t something you need to share.
If you see a risk that others take, That puts their health or life at risk,
The question asked or thing you say, Could help them live another day.
If you see a risk and walk away, Then I hope you never have to say.
I could’ve saved a life that day, But I chose to look the other way.
Written by Don Merrell
Protect Your Eyes!
August Safety Tip
PDMP Safety Tip provided courtesy of Cargill Animal Nutrition
August Safety Tip PDMP Safety Tip provided courtesy of Cargill Animal Nutrition “I have to be extra careful now. If something should happen to my other eye, then I will obviously be blind”. These words were spoken by a dairy farmer after he lost an eye to an accident. He had been using a grinder when a piece of metal flew off and into his eye. Earlier this month another individual lost an eye when a screwdriver slipped and went into his eye. Other situations that call for protective eyewear include - Circular saws and chain saws - Weed Whackers - Breaking up rocks or concrete - Mowing or working around plants with sharp stems Be mindful as well of electric welders and other exceptionally bright lights. Your vision is a precious gift. Be sure to protect it.
Keep Electrical Covers In Place
July Safety Tip
It is all too common to step into a barn or a milk house and see exposed electrical wiring and connections. Many times the cover sits nearby, waiting for some to “get around” to replacing it. Let’s hope that some tragedy does not occur in the meantime.
Obviously no one is going to deliberately reach into an electrical box and touch hot wires. But the old saying “what can go wrong, will go wrong” applies here. People sometimes trip and extend a hand forward to catch themselves. If that hand is propelled into an open electrical box, the consequences may be fatal. People also come into dark rooms and group for a light switch. Again, if no cover is on the switch box, severe electrical shock is possible.
There is a reason that electrical boxes are fitted with covers. Don’t let your farm be an example of what can go wrong if they are not in place. Make Safety A Priority!
Children Are Still Children !!
June Safety Tip
PDMP Safety Tip provided courtesy of Cargill Animal Nutrition
One of the advantages of a farm lifestyle is that it provides an opportunity to teach children responsibility and many valuable skills as they learn to do various tasks around the farm. However, we need to remember that children need a lot of supervision and training.
Tragedies involving children are all too common. Recently a twelve year old boy was very seriously injured when his dad asked him to put away a pressure washer. The boy started to do so, but decided to get a drink of water from the end of the pressure hose first. He suffered severe injuries to his mouth and face. When involving children in farm chores, follow these guidelines.
- Remember that a younger person’s experience is always limited compared to your own. Their judgment is not as good as yours.
- Provide training, and explain all possible hazards relating to the task at hand.
- Observe them frequently.
- Don’t have children riding on equipment unless a seat and seat belt are provided for them.
- If you are not sure if a child is old enough to safely do a task, don’t have them do it. Err on the side of caution.
- Your own actions are the best way to teach them safe habits.
Silo Faces Do Collapse!!
May Safety Tip
One very real hazard on many dairy farms is the face of a bunker silo that is greater than 7 feet high.  Fatalities have occurred when large portions of silage fall from the upper portions of the face, and can crush or suffocate people standing below. The danger is accentuated if the face is undercut when silage is removed with front end loader. A rule of thumb is to remain at least 2 feet away from the face for every foot of height over 7 feet. For example, do not get within 6 feet of a bunker that is 10 feet high.
Do not ask or allow people to take samples directly from the face of bunkers that exceed 7 feet. You will get a better sample by using your loader to scrape down the entire face, and then subsample from that material.
Filling and packing bunkers silos can also pose hazards. The potential to roll a tractor over is very real. Be careful to stay away from edges and steep slopes. Roll bars are a must.
Keep Shields In Place!!
April Safety Tip
“We lost Dad a few years ago when his coat got coat in a PTO shaft”. This accident, and many others could have been avoided if the shields that originally came with the equipment had been kept in place. When we visit farms, we regularly see exposed belts, chains, gears, and other moving parts that can easily catch a loose piece of clothing, or a finger or hand or foot. Keep all shields in place, as well as all covers for electrical boxes.
Farm Bulls
March Safety Tip
Farm Bulls Are Dangerous!
We get reports almost every week of some injury involving a farm bull. Fatalities are all too common.
What Can You Do?
- Avoid Having One – Many farms manage with only artificial insemination.
- Never Trust Him – We regularly hear of accidents involving a bull who showed no earlier signs of aggression.
- Mark His Pen – Make sure workers and visitors are aware of pens that have bulls.
- Know Where He Is – Put a bell on him so that you can hear him if he is approaching you.
- Have a ring and a short length of chain in his nose – this may allow you to get control of him by grabbing the ring or the chain.
- Replace him with a younger animal – bulls tend to get more aggressive with age.
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