Farm UNIVERSITY PARK, (Centre Co.) —As winter approaches, farmers need to be more aware of respiratory hazards on the farm, said a safety expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. “Dust particles, toxic gases, chemical vapors and fumes pose a serious threat to farmers’ health, and can be particularly threaten ing in fall and winter,” said Dr. Dennis Murphy, professor of agri cultural engineering. “Dust and fume levels can rise significantly inside silos, barns and other build ings.” In fall, many farmers make silage to feed their livestock, which can increase gas hazards. “Gases formed by the natural fer mentation of chopped silage shortly after it is placed in a silo will con tinue to be a very real hazard for as long as silage remains a com mon livestock feed.” Murphy FULL LINE (SSW STAINLESS STEEL L_J CHIMNEYS -Deluxe Ram Cap Storm Collar T — Adjustable Roof Flashing Firestop Attic Insulation ° Shield Chimney Sections Chimney must be enclosed in living space Decoratoi Ceiling Si Itove Pipe vdapter Black Stove Pipe Tche*] V oor S VprVcesJj Mfg’s Distributor D.S. 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TPnaaagnma Call or Write For Additional Information And Your Nearest Dealer Respiratory Hazards Increase In Winter Months warns. “After a silo is filled, dan gerous levels of gas may persist for two to three weeks. “These gases can cause uncon sciousness, injury and death, espe cially in the first 48 to 60 hours after filling,” Murphy said. “If you don’t have a self-contained breathing respirator—one with its own air supply—stay out of the silo for at least 60 hours.” After 60 hours, use the blower to ventilate the silo before enter ing without a self-contained breathing apparatus, Murphy said. “Open all doors, run the blower fan for 20 minutes and leave it running while you’re in the silo. Enter only after you have put on a respirator for toxic dust and have a second person standing by to assist in an emergency.” Children should be of special concern, because the silage opera tion often is a fun event for them. 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JB,B.BaA(HBnigiB STOP 2388 Old Leacock Rd., Gordonville, PA 17529 717-768-3853 FEATURES: ZIMMERMAN HEADLOCKS * Spring loaded neck bar for easy removal and adjustment * Individual lock on each yoke for retaining individual animals i r “Do whatever is necessary to keep kids from straying into silo areas during filling or for the two weeks when dangerous gases are pre sent,” Murphy said. “This may mean padlocking doors or even placing fences or barricades in needed locations.” As the weather gets colder, farm buildings often are closed to protect farm animals. “But closing farm buildings also reduces air quality by limiting circulation, sometimes allowing dust and other particles to reach more haz ardous concentrations,” Murphy said Organic dust toxic syndrome, or ODTS, is a farm-related respi ratory illness that causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and muscular pains. Less common but more serious is farmer’s lung, an allergic reaction caused by inhaling dust from moldy hay, NEW tur New style lampion »w Has New (designed Flclent iffle 'Stem i SPiaaaraaq Lancaster Firming, Saturday, 'November 26,' 1994-Cs' grain or straw that can cause per manent lung damage. Toxic gases also may be pre sent in poorly ventilated build ings, particularly those adjacent to or over manure pits. “These gases include hydrogen sulfide, which has a rotten egg smell at low concentrations and is extremely lethal at higher concen trations,” Murphy said. “Ammo nia has a very offensive odor that usually causes workers to leave the area. Methane is a very explo sive gas at higher concentrations, and carbon dioxide cuts the oxy gen in the air. Even low levels of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia will produce eye and lung irrita tions, headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.” All farmers and farm workers should use personal protective equipment when working in dusty buildings or around potentially hazardous gases. Use respirators approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in dusty environments. “Respira tor prices vary considerably *ar 80 KW Diesel 35 KW L.P. Gas 70 KW L.P. Gas 18 KW L.P. Gas 40 KW L.P. Gas 100 KW Diesel SSSce MAXI-POWER DIS S 330 Fonderwhite Rd. 717-273-4544 depending on the type needed, but it’s smart to invest in the right kind of equipment for the hazards on your farm,” Murphy said. “Disposable mechanical filter res pirators can be bought for under $lO. Many nondisposable models are less than $50.” People who must enter manure pits during maintenance, repair or rescue operations should wear a self-contained breathing appara tus, or SCBA. “But using a SCBA effectively is not easy and many units cost around $ 1,000,” Murphy said, “Farmers who must enter manure pits without a SCBA should have a powered, continu ous fresh air, explosion-proof ventilation system. They must wear a safely harness or belt with a lifeline attached to a mechanical lifting device, and have someone within seeing or hearing range who can operate the lifting device in an emergency. Testing the pit atmosphere for toxic gases or oxy gen deficiency before mainte nance and repair also is a good idea.” Automatic Systems USED Lebanon, PA 17042 1-800-272-MAXI
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