Arming, Saturday, September 15, ICMtW (Continued from Page Al) during those critical first few minutes.” , During the coming year, Ex tension safety programs will be concentrated in two major categories, according to Murphy. -Methods of teaching safety, and -Respiratory hazards. A program is being developed for Extension use on how to teach farm safety, particularly to youths. It involves both a Job Safety Analysis and com plementary Job Instruction Training. “We’re tearing more about things like ‘farmers’ lung’ and other respiratory problems on the farm,” Murphy said. One of the contributing factors to farm respiratory problems is the continuing increase in confinement operations, Murphy said. “Respiratory problems are cumulative and build up over a period of time and the increasing exposure in confinement buildings is becoming an important factor,” he said. Silo gas can be deadly Farmers ensiling crops should be especially wary of lethal silo gas, farm safety experts stress. The situation can be especially bad in drought years because droughty com tends to be high in nitrates. Thus, the ensiling process produces larger quantities of lethal nitrogen gases. Silo gas (nitrogen dioxide) ap pears as yellow or orange vapor during the first three weeks after the silo is filled. Because it’s heavier than air, the fumes settle to the lowest level possible. Inhaling those fumes can be fatal. While modem machinery and operational procedures are the major concern in farm safety, there are hazards that still remain in the treditional categories which have continued since fanning began. Fatalities related to farm animals, while also have been decreasing in recent years, still hang on as a reason for accidental farm deaths. Animal-related deaths have dropped from six a year in 1980 and 1981 to three last year. And the bull still remains the most dangerous where he’s found on the farm Falls still remain an important accident category to be concerned with. And at the basic core of many accidents on the farm no matter what category in which they fall are stress and carelessness brought on by crowding too many activities into long hours of work at peak n\achinery-use seasons, such as harvesting now getting under way. Farmers should be especially cautious when ventilating a silo or working near the base of a tower silo during the first few weeks after ensiling. The most dangerous time for nitrogen dioxide gas in a silo is during the first 12 to 60 hours after filling. Farmers should be especially wary of gas for 10 to 14 days after filling and when opening the silo for feeding. If you must go in a silo within two weeks of filling, run the blower 15- 20 minutes before entering and keep the blower running while inside. Stress can Life isn’t easy for anyone these days, and certainly not for fanners who ihust face a fluctuating marketplace, production costs, capricious weather and the unquelled threat of pestilence and disease. It is no wonder agriculture is ranked among the top ten per cent of 130 high stress occupations by the National Institute of Oc cupational Safety and Health. Farmers say they are suffering from more stress than ever before. Cited as causes were economic pressures, decision-making, high seasonal workloads, weather worries, family conflicts and too many off-farm activities. Excessive stress is a known contributor to heart disease, cancer, lung and liver ailments and mental illness. Stress can also play a part in suicides, homicides and other violence, including child and spousal abuse, and appears to be an important factor in many accidents. Stressed people often are less aware of, our responsive to, what is going on around them. Anger, worry, fear, depression, feeling helpless or that things are out of control can occupy us to where we may fail to heed any signs of danger. Trying to deal with seemingly unsolvable problems may distract or dull our normal respect for our safety and caring concern for others. Extreme stress arising from grief or deep family, financial or health problems could render a sufferer less than fit to drive a tractor or car with any assurance of a safe performance. Yet, many people choose or have no choice but to do so despite intense inner turmoil. Not all potentially harmful stress is a product of the hard blows of life, such as death of a loved one, divorce, bankruptcy, an all-consuming fire or news that you have cancer. It can arise from the trials and tribulations of daily living, from heavy workloads or family responsibilities, even from boredom and lack of stimulation. Physical stresses also have an unpact on psychological func tioning. A farmer often works in the rain, in intense cold or heat and in dust and chemicals. He/she operates noisy, hard-riding equipment for Iqng hours. Bone weariness can result in mental weariness and lungs full of dust and jarred innards do little to promote good humor. Farm safety leaders believe that stress, both physical and psychological, is an important factor in many serious farming accidents. Therefore, keeping cause farm accidents ON THE FARM stress levels from becoming in tolerable and causing mishaps is necessary for every farmer and rancher. Although there are many prescriptions for reducing the negative effects of stress, each individual must find those that work best for him/her. If you have symptoms of stress but nothing is apparent in your life to explain it, see your doctor to find out if there is physical basis for it. Anxiety, short temper, tension, sleeplessness or such can ac company several disorders that require medical attention. Seek balance in life. If you are overactive, find time to relax and do some things that you enjoy. If you are underactive, seek ways to enrich your days. Exercise, depending on your physical con- dition, is in effective tension reliever when the workday fails to involve much use of the muscles but provides a lot of brain strain or aggravations. Even farmers have slack seasons and days when bad weather limits work. This time can Year-round ag safety Practicing good safety should be of year-round concern on the farm. As the coming year progresses, here are a few suggestions on safety factors to be stressed. SEPTEMBER Manage for Better Safety and Health Develop a safety and health plan tailored to your farm and covering all family members and hired personnel. Keep everyone regularly informed and carry out regular safety inspections. OCTOBER Electrical safety Make sure that wiring in all buildings is adequate and inspect it regularly. NOVEMBER Winter sports and hunting safety Use the proper equipment for winter activity and dress for the weather. Be wary of that ice on the pond; operate snowmobiles and sleds safely; always treat guns as if they’re loaded. DECEMBER Home heating Inspect all heating systems before heavy continuous use; wood burning requires special care; adequately ventilate for kerosene heaters. JANUARY Safety with shop tools Use the correct tool for the job; don’t wear loose fitting clothing; keep power tools and children separate. FEBRUARY Be your brother’s keeper Set a good safety example for others in your family, hired employees, friends and neighbors. Look out for each other's safety welfare. MARCH Use ag chemicals safely Always read and follow directions closely: use eye protection, adequate skin covering and respirator if necessary; store chemicals properly. APRIL Operate tractors safely Make sure all operators are adequately trained; don’t permit extra riders; keep shields in place; shut off power before repairs. MAY Storm safety Do you have a good lightning protection system? Keep abreast of weather forecasts and plan accordingly. JUNE Use farm wagons safely Use a sturdy lockpin; no riders; have SVM emblems and operate at safe speeds in keeping with the terrain. JULY Play safely Summer sports on the farm are fun but can be deadly. Small fry should always be accompanied around farm ponds and other potentially dangerous areas. AUGUST Prevent respiratory problems Check the filtering system of tractor and combine cabs; adequately ventilate particularly in confinement buildings; use the proper respirator when needed. be filled with activities that provide a needed break from the stresses of fanning and help restore one’s equilibrium. If something has really “got you down,’’ delay hazardous jobs until you are able to handle them safely or have someone else do them for you. Avoid unnecessary con frontations and arguments with your family or employees. Try to keep control of your temper and resolve conflicts before they cause real anguish and perhaps an ac cident. Don’t let your problems pull your attention away from the job at hand, as inattention causes many accidents. Respect your physical needs and limitations by avoiding over fatigue. Stop for occasional rest or refreshment breaks. Eat nourishing meals. Alcohol and tranquilizing medications may temporarily soothe or relax you, but they won’t solve the problems. What they will do is multiply ac cident risk if used or relied on when you work or drive.
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