As most of us know farming can be a very dangerous occupation. Statistics show that the majority of farm related accidents are associated with tractor/equipment mishaps. However, there are many more risks with farming than just machinery accidents.
An accident at work is defined as an external, sudden and violent event. Work accidents happen while an employee is working. It can cause injury or the death of the employee. For an accident to be a work accident there must be a direct or indirect relationship of cause and effect between the accident and the work. The key phrase here is, "a direct or indirect relationship of cause and effect between the accident and the work." Almost all accidents can be avoided, if the cause and effect relationship can be identified before the accident occurs. The problem is that this is easier said than done.
Most people over the age of two know that if you touch a hot stove you will get burned. The problem in a work situation is that there are many risks and external facts involved and it may be very difficult to identify them all, but that is the most important step in preventing most accidents. Every day you must identify risks and dangerous situation in order to avoid them.
In this article I will try and bring to light a few risks found, not only in a farm environment, but risks found with anyone doing work that are not as obvious as a tractor mishap.
First, how many of you wear a wedding band during work? I personally know several people who have lost a finger from wearing a wedding ring and catching it on a bolt, screw or the side of a truck. Keep jewelry to a minimum. Metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, so do not wear any jewelry (including a wedding band) when working with electricity or heavy machinery.
Another not so obvious risk in a work environment is long hair. Many women and men have got their hair caught in drill presses, laves and PTO shafts. Be sure to pull back long hair so that it does not interfere with your work or get caught in any machinery that you may be using.
Protective head gear, such as safety hats and bump caps, could prevent most head injuries common in agricultural work. Know when to wear them and what type. Post signs in areas where hard hats must be worn. Make sure everyone entering that area uses them even if it is just for a minute. Jobs requiring protection include building work, operating and repairing machinery, felling or trimming trees, entering or leaving buildings with low doors, working in close quarters or under low ceilings, blasting and running off-road vehicles.
Hands are the most frequently injured part of the body on the farm. During a day's work, a farmer's hands might come in contact with chemicals, harsh detergents, paint, solvents, rough materials and sharp tools. Cuts and abrasions on the hands may allow toxic chemicals to enter the body. These cuts, if not cleaned properly, may lead to infections. Use appropriate gloves, barrier creams, hand cleaners and lotions to protect hands.
Wearing gloves that match the job provides good hand protection. Only sound, properly fitting gloves should be worn. Tight gloves limit dexterity and are uncomfortable and overly large gloves can interfere with work. Use caution when wearing gloves near moving machinery parts. Gloved hands can be drawn into machines and the hands severely injured. Wearing long sleeves will provide an extra barrier for the skin along with the gloves.
One risk that many people do not think of while working outside is the risk of skin cancer. Farmers and others who spend large amounts of time exposed to the sun are at increased risk for developing skin cancer. Skin cancer is a serious disease, over the past three decades; more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined. Treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers increased by nearly 77 percent between 1992 and 2006
Years ago, farmers wore wide-brimmed hats to protect themselves from the sun's rays. Since then, the baseball-style cap has become a trademark of farmers, but it does not offer the same amount of protection for noses, ears, temples, and necks.
Skin cancer can kill. Here are some precautions to take:
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater.
• Wear long-sleeved, tightly woven cotton shirts and long pants when working outdoors in the sun.
• Wear a hat-not a cap-that will offer full shade protection for the face, head, and neck, including ear tips, temples, and back of the neck.
Accidents can happen to anyone if they are distracted, in a hurry or just don't identify possible risk areas. Sit down with your family and/employees and try to identify all of the possible accidents that could happen on your farm or home. Then identify ways to prevent these accidents from happening. Remember; don't ever think "It can't happen to me."[[In-content Ad]]
