Let's Communicate on the Farm! Conversation Starter Card Pack for Farm Families

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Mr. Heiner was cutting hay on his farm when the hydraulic system on the haybine malfunctioned. According to reports, fluid was escaping from the hydraulic system and in an attempt to locate the leak Mr. Heiner ran his hand over the hose. The fluid was under high pressure and penetrated his hand. He was transported to the hospital where there was no other option but to amputate his right arm and hand.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A 22-year-old man was injured when his right arm went into the roller mechanism of the corn picker he was operating. Fire department reports show Dupont had been hand-picking corn out of the clogged corn picker when the rollers grabbed onto his glove and shirt to pull him in. He was working alone in the field, and it looked like someone noticed the corn picker had been idle for a period and went to check out the situation. Dupont suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Geoffrey was seriously injured when the header of his combine collapsed during a maintenance stop. Geoffrey, who is 27 years old, suffered severe trauma to the head. One of his neighbors, Mr. Miller, was driving by when he saw the incident occur; he was not sure what Geoffrey was doing underneath the header when it fell on him. It was lucky he was passing by as he immediately contacted the fire and rescue team.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A young child from Brownsville, Texas was injured while playing in a field of melons being harvested. Caesar was trailing behind his mother, who was working alongside a powered field conveyor used to transfer the picked melons to a truck. The boy came in contact with the conveyor belt and his arm was pulled into the rollers under the conveyor and it was severely injured.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

An 18-year-old seasonal worker was killed when the header on the bean harvester he was operating collapsed and crushed him underneath it. Other workers in the field noticed that Manuel had stopped his machine and was working on the header. Upon examination of the machine, a hydraulic hose was found to have broken, releasing the oil supporting the header and causing
it to collapse.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Larry was working in the shop when he sustained an injury to his left eye. He had been in the field planting corn when a piece broke on the planter. He pulled the planter into his shop to weld the piece. After welding, he was chipping away the metallic slag on the hot weld joint when a hot piece of metal flew into his eye. The hot metal burned into the pupil, but the ophthalmologist expects that he will regain complete vision.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A farm incident claimed the life of a young man who was operating a front-loader. He reached from the ground on the right side of the loader and hit one of the controls, bringing the loader down on top of him. He was alone at the time, but even if another person had been there, they would not have been able to help. The front-loader was an older model and did not have some of the safety devices found on newer models.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Dale Whiley, 15, died from injuries sustained from a tractor incident. Dale was doing some lawn work when the tractor struck a tree, knocking him from the tractor and pinning him against another tree. A friend found him several hours after the incident, and even though he was flown to
the hospital, he did not survive.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Loose lug bolts on the rear wheel of a tractor driven by Elizabeth caused a spill of over 250 bushels of corn. Elizabeth, 16, was transporting corn when the rear wheel of the tractor came loose, causing her to lose control of the tractor. Due to the spill, the highway was partially blocked for over an hour. The local sheriff found that none of the lug bolts on the wheel were tight and most appeared badly worn due to being loose for some time. No injuries reported.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Adam is the star quarterback of the local football team, but his team’s success may be in jeopardy after an incident that occurred when Adam was working on the family farm. He decided to take a break from the extreme heat, and while dismounting his tractor, he fell, fracturing his arm in two places. He said that his foot got caught on something that made him fall on his arm. He is out for the rest of the season.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A local farmer is recovering well from burns he received while trying to extinguish a fire on his tractor. Jimmy was working in the field when debris located under his tractor’s exhaust caught fire. He stopped his tractor, and in the process of extinguishing the fire, his shirt sleeve caught on fire. He tried using the fire extinguisher, but it would not work properly, probably because it had not been checked in for over a year.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Billy, 15, was working on the farm when he realized something was not right with the tractor he was operating. He dismounted it and began to look but could not locate the problem. There was a strong smell of gasoline, so he decided to grab his dad from the farm shop. When they returned to the tractor, they found it in flames. They called the fire department, and the chief determined that there was a leak in the fuel line that ignited with the heat generated from the tractor’s exhaust system.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Juan was injured when the tractor he was working on jumped into gear and ran over him. He was working in the field when he hit a large cooler that another worker had left there. Juan jumped off to attempt to dislodge the cooler from under his tractor when the tractor slipped into gear, running over him, and breaking his leg in three places. It could have been much worse.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Eighteen-year-old Alfred Butler was crushed under an 800-pound bale that was being loaded onto a semitruck for transport. Alfred was working on one side of the trailer untangling straps while another employee of the farm was using a forklift to transfer large bales onto the truck. He failed to raise the bale high enough but instead pushed the bale and the one below was pushed off the opposite side onto Alfred. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A 4-year-old boy from rural Hebron was killed when he was struck and dragged by a skid-steer loader that his father was using to level gravel. Justin was watching his dad spread gravel in their home’s driveway. His dad had told him to move away from the area. An investigation revealed that the boy had been dragged about 60 feet before the dad realized. The cause of death was believed to be a head injury.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A minor injury to a 15-year-old youth employed on a poultry farm resulted in a citation and fine from the state Wage and Hour Enforcement Office for violation of a federal protection law. The citations and fines were related to violation of the Hazardous Occupation Order for Agriculture that prohibits the employment of youth to operate certain hazardous equipment, in this case a forklift to move pallets of egg cases.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Nine-year-old George was severely injured when a heavy steel gate he was climbing on fell over, striking his head. His parents, Jim and Joyce, were working elsewhere on their farm and did not witness the event. They said that the gate had been damaged and replaced with a new one, but the old gate had been left leaning against a side building. George had climbed on to the unsecured gate causing it to topple over on him.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Melissa, of rural Jackson, was seriously injured when the steer she was fitting for the upcoming 4-H fair kicked her. Her father found her unconscious on the barn floor with the steer nearby. Melissa’s mom is a nurse and was able to provide immediate first aid until the EMS unit arrived. Melissa suffered a fractured skull and cracked collar bone. The girl’s father indicated that the steer had been raised on the farm and was a pet of the family.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Shasa received a concussion and broken collar bone when a horse she was leading off a horse trailer was spooked and began kicking. The horse attempted to turn around inside the trailer throwing the 14-year-old Shasa into the divider that separates the trailer into two sides. Her parents indicated that she had worked with the same horse for several years with no prior incidents.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A 9-year-old girl from Johnson County was injured when a rampaging bull leaped over a corral fence into the grandstand and landed on her. Rachel was treated for leg injuries at the local hospital and released. Police said that was the first time an animal had jumped over the corral pen into the crowd. The 1,000-pound bull was in the corral during a livestock auction when something startled the animal, and it jumped over the corral fence.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Bobby, 45, was trying to pet one of his newborn calves when the calf’s mother slammed her head into him. Bobby was getting hay to feed the calf and cow when the cow moved to defend the week-old calf and pinned him to the ground. Bobby was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A farming incident claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy from Paris, Kansas. Herman died as a result of a fall from the roof of a grain bin on the family farm. Herman was working on the top of the grain bin, opening it in preparation for the placement of a grain auger at the bin. He fell approximately 22 feet, according to reports. The Sherman County Coroner stated that Herman was dead when medics arrived at the scene.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Carlos was stung over 30 times by a swarm of honeybees that attacked him in a peach orchard. The swarm came from a set of hives being used to pollinate the peaches. Carlos was removing tree trimmings at the time he was attacked. Some individuals are extremely allergic to the venom delivered by a bee sting.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Mr. Brown will not forget the day he found his son, Brandon, on the couch with a strange look in his eyes. Brandon had a couple of serious seizures that day and his parents could not think of the cause. Brandon was helping plant corn, on a windy day, and they did not wear masks. Mr. Brown found an emergency data sheet for the seed treatment and called the number provided. A physician told them that exposure to the chemical could have produced those symptoms. Brandon is still taking medicine and he is fine.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Drew died when his best friend accidentally ran into him with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Perkins told police he drove toward Drew, but then swerved left to avoid hitting him. But Drew jumped to his right at the same instant, back in front of the vehicle, which hit and fatally injured him. Both boys were sophomores and were attending a party nearby.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Two people were hospitalized after the ATV they were riding was struck by a car. As the car turned into an intersection, it struck the ATV head-on. Both riders were ejected from the ATV, striking their heads on the car and the road; neither one was wearing a helmet. The ATV driver was cited for illegally driving his ATV on city roadways.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

A 15-year-old boy died after his all-terrain vehicle rolled over while being driven up a steep incline in a gravel pit on the family farm. The accident happened several hours before he was discovered. He had not been wearing a helmet.

Let’s Talk – Situations

• Why did this incident happen?
• What unhealthy/unsafe behaviors were responsible for this situation?
• What safe behaviors should be considered in a situation like this?
• How can you prevent this incident from happening?

Ariel, 16, was injured when the bed of a small utility vehicle came down on her while she was trying to clear out some debris from the underside of the vehicle. She had raised the bed to retrieve a branch. While trying to pull the branch, she grabbed the control level by mistake causing the bed to suddenly drop. The bed was empty at the time, otherwise the injuries would have been much more severe.

Let’s Talk – You and Your Health

• Stress can negatively affect your physical and mental health. Farming has a high level of stress-related health difficulties.
• Your health is the most important resource on a farm or ranch operation. It allows you to function every day. Health is what you rely on to be resilient in times of difficulty or challenge.
• Taking care of your health is an important priority in managing your farm or ranch, just as you take care of the health of animals or crops.

In this section you will think about stressful situations and steps you can take to deal with stress and prevent negative effects on your health.

Let’s Talk – You and Your Health

• What different parts of your health or wellbeing does this affect?
• What steps can you take to take care of your health in this situation?
• How can you prevent or manage this stressful situation in the future?

While tending to some livestock on a hot summer day, you see a fence is broken and many animals have gotten out in a neighbor’s field. You get exhausted chasing them and overheat from lack of water. What steps should you take in this situation?

Let’s Talk – You and Your Health

• What different parts of your health or wellbeing does this affect?
• What steps can you take to take care of your health in this situation?
• How can you prevent or manage this stressful situation in the future?

You are getting ready to harvest and store grain from the season’s harvest, but a storm is coming in and the tractor won’t start. You keep
trying and nothing works. You feel like you’re going to explode or go crazy. What steps should you take in this situation?

Let’s Talk – You and Your Health

• What different parts of your health or wellbeing does this affect?
• What steps can you take to take care of your health in this situation?
• How can you prevent or manage this stressful situation in the future?

Your parent says to you, “We really hope that you will be involved with us on the farm after high school.” You are aware of these parental expectations and really enjoy spending time on the farm but also want to explore other things for your future. You don’t feel ready to make any decisions and feel anxious. What steps should you take in this situation?

Let’s Talk – You and Your Health

• What different parts of your health or wellbeing does this affect?
• What steps can you take to take care of your health in this situation?
• How can you prevent or manage this stressful situation in the future?

You have been running about all day dealing with farm tasks and problems. No one has even said “Hello” and you haven’t talked to your best friend in a week. You look up at the sky and say, “Man, I feel all on my own here!” What steps should you take in this situation?

Steps to follow when making a 9-1-1 emergency phone call

Step 1: Using a phone, press the numbers: 9-1-1.

Step 2: Listen and stay calm. The person who answers the phone is called a dispatcher. The dispatcher will ask you about your emergency.

Dispatcher: “9-1-1 what is your emergency?”

Step 3: You will answer the questions by stating your first and last name and telling the dispatcher your emergency.

You: “My name is ______________ ______________, and my emergency is _________________________________________.”

Step 4: The dispatcher will ask you where you are. If you are at home, tell the dispatcher your physical house address.

Dispatcher: “What is your location? Where are you?” (physical address, not your post office box number)

You: “I am at _______________________________.
My address is ________________________________________.”

Step 5: The dispatcher will ask what is going on and how many people are hurt. Tell the dispatcher as much information as you can.

Dispatcher: “Can you tell me what happened? Is anyone hurt?” “How many people are hurt? Can you tell me where they are hurt?”

You: (Explain what happened and tell the number of people hurt. If you are hurt, tell the dispatcher where your body hurts.)

Step 6: The dispatcher will ask you for the phone number from the phone you are using and ask you for your parent’s phone number.

Dispatcher: “What is your phone number? What is your parent’s phone number?”

You: “My phone number is: _________________________.”
“My mom’s phone number is: __________________________.”

“My dad’s phone number is: ___________________________.”
“My caregiver’s phone number is: __________________________.”

Step 7: The dispatcher will ask you to stay on the phone with them. You must stay on the phone until you are told it is safe to hang up.

Dispatcher: “Please stay on the line until I tell you to hang up.”

You: “OK.”

Dispatcher: “You may now hang up.”

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Name (First and Last) Cell Phone Number

Physical Home Address (Not P.O. Box)

City, State, ZIP Code

Parent/contact 1: Name (First and Last)

Phone Number Work Phone Number

Physical Home Address (Not P.O. Box)

City, State, ZIP Code

Parent/contact 2: Name (First and Last)

Phone Number Work Phone Number

Physical Home Address (Not P.O. Box)

City, State, ZIP Code

Medications

Allergies

Notes

Communication is key to prevent injuries when working together on the farm. One way to improve communication on the farm is to utilize hand signals. The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers created 11 universal hand signals to use when working with equipment. Test your hand signal skills by practicing the 11 hand signals together as a family. If your parent, guardian, or employer has their own hand signal for certain tasks on the farm, ask them to show the signals to you and practice it together.

This far to go

Place palms at ear level facing head and move laterally inward to indicate remaining distance to go.

Raise equipment

Make circular motion with either hand at head level.

Move toward me

Point toward person(s), vehicle(s), or unit(s), beckon by holding the arm horizontally to the front, palm up, and motioning toward the body.

Stop the engine

Draw right hand, palm down, across the neck in a “throat cutting” motion from left to right.

Lower equipment

Make circular motion with either hand pointing to the ground.

Stop

Raise hand upward to the full extent of the arm, palm to the front. Hold that position until the signal is understood.

Increase speed

Raise the hand to the shoulder, fist closed; thrust the fist upward to the full extent of the arm and back to the shoulder rapidly several times.

Come to me

Rise the arm vertically overhead, a palm to the front, and rotate in large horizontal circles.

Decrease speed

Extend the arm horizontally sideward, palm down, and wave arm downward 45 degrees minimum several times, keeping the arm straight. Do not move arm above horizontal.

Start the engine

Simulate cranking of vehicles by moving arm in a circular motion at waist level.

Move out / take off

Face the desired direction of movement; hold the arm extended to the rear; then swing it overhead and forward in the direction of desired movement until it is horizontal, palm down.

Your body is your most valuable tool – keep it in good working order.

Stretch for five minutes at a time throughout the day. In the morning to prepare for the work ahead, during the day to pause and recharge, and before bed to relax for a good night’s sleep.

While stretching be sure to pause and breathe fully. A breath cycle is an inhale (through the nose) and an exhale (through the nose or mouth).

In this section you will find several examples of stretches that you can easily practice on your own.

Cow Pose

Inhaling, fill the lungs. Lift the chest and feel the spine extend. Look up. Hold for 2-3 breaths.

Cat Pose

Exhaling, tuck the chin to the chest and slowly round the back. Hold for 2-3 breaths.

Seated Twist

Inhaling, sit tall, with weight evenly distributed on the sitz bones. Place right hand against outside of left knee. Exhaling, slowly turn torso and head to the left. Look toward your left shoulder, or in the direction of the left shoulder. Hold for 2-3 breaths. Repeat on the opposite side.

Side Bend

Inhaling, sit tall. Bring right hand up above head. Exhaling, stretch hand over head and arc body to the left. Feel the stretch in the right side of body. Look straight ahead or up toward the hand. Do not collapse into the left side. Breathe deeply and hold. Repeat on opposite side.

Standing Twist

Step right foot on a chair or other prop at 12" to 18" high. Feet are a comfortable distance apart. Place left hand on outside of right knee. Raise right hand out to side at shoulder height. Inhale, lengthen spine. Exhale, turn head and torso to the right. Hold for 2-3 breaths. Stand a bit taller with each inhale. Repeat on opposite side.

Standing Twist with Long Handled Tool

With feet hip distance apart, rest a tool lightly on shoulders. Hold tool with arms extended. Inhale, lengthen spine. Exhale, turn torso and head to the right. Hold for 2-3 breaths. Inhale, return to center. Repeat on opposite side.

Warrior Pose

Hold onto a support with right hand. Step left foot back about three feet, turn foot about 45 degrees left. Bend right knee and align directly over ankle. Keep left leg straight. With equal weight on both feet, reach hands skyward. Take a few deep breaths. Repeat with right foot back.

Half Down Dog

Place hands on a prop or wall at waist height. Inhale, step both feet back. Exhale, bend from the hip, pushing away from the wall to lengthen spine. Arms are extended in front of you at shoulder height. With head between arms, look downward. Keep knees slightly bent. Hold for 2-3 breaths.

Tractors are very useful machines but they can also be dangerous. Tractor safety is the practice of operating a tractor in a safe manner. It involves being aware of the potential hazards while working around them.

In this section you will need to think about common tractor hazards and what to do to avoid accidents. Read each question carefully and circle the answer that best suits each scenario. Discuss your answer with your family. Describe the hazard taking place and how the incident can be prevented.

An unshielded auger drags a person’s arm into the mechanism. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: F. Pull-in point

While hitching a wagon onto the back of the tractor, someone’s finger gets caught between the two pieces of the drawbar. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: C. Shear point

Someone steps over a power take-off (PTO), and their pants get caught in the rotating shaft. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: B. Wrap point

The hydraulic hose connection comes loose and hits a person in the face. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: G. Stored energy

The fan blade shield has been removed, and a rock is projected toward a person. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: H. Thrown object

A chain belt drive is exposed where a finger could get caught. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: A. Pinch point

The front-end loader falls on a person standing underneath. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object

Answer: D. Crush point

Someone bumps up against a hot muffler. Which hazard point is responsible for this tractor danger?

A. Pinch point

B. Wrap point

C. Shear point

D. Crush point

E. Burn point

F. Pull-in point

G. Stored energy

H. Thrown object Answer: E. Burn point

The U.S. Department of Labor identifies certain agricultural tasks as particularly hazardous when performed, for hire, by youth under the age of 16.

A training program was established that provides youth ages 14 and 15 to be certified to perform Tasks 1 and 2, when working for hire on a farm.

The following are the 11 agricultural tasks identified as hazardous and cannot be conducted by employed youth under 16. These limitations do NOT apply to youth working performing agricultural tasks on a farm/ranch owned or operated by their parents or legal guardian.

However, it is strongly encouraged for any youth, regardless if they are working for their immediate family or not, to attend a safety training program. To find a training program nearest you, contact your local Extension agent or high school agricultural education instructor.

Agricultural work classified as hazardous for youth

Task 1: Tractors

Task 2: General Machinery

Task 3: Specialized Machinery

Task 4: Livestock

Task 5: Woodlots

Task 6: Ladders and Scaffolding

Task 7: Transport

Task 8: Toxic Atmospheres

Task 9: Chemicals

Task 10: Blasting

Task 11: Anhydrous Ammonia

Task 1: Tractors

Operating a tractor of over 20 PTO horsepower, or connecting an implement or any of its parts to or disconnecting it from such a tractor.

Task 2: General Machinery

Operating or assisting to operate (including starting, stopping, adjusting, feeding or any other activity involving physical contact associated with the operation) any of the following machines: corn picker, cotton picker, grain combine, hay mower, forage harvester, hay baler, potato digger, mobile pea viner, feed grinder, crop dryer, forage blower, auger conveyor, the unloading mechanism of a nongravity-type self-unloading wagon or trailer, power post-hole digger, power post driver, or nonwalking rotary tiller.

Task 3: Specialized Machinery

Operating or assisting to operate (including starting, stopping, adjusting, feeding or any other activity involving physical contact associated with the operation) any of the following machines: trencher or earthmoving equipment; fork lift; (in some states skid steer loaders); potato combine; or power-driven circular, band or chain saw.

Task 4: Livestock

Working on a farm in a yard, pen or stall occupied by a bull, boar or stud horse maintained for breeding purposes; a sow with suckling pigs; or cow with newborn calf (with umbilical cord present).

Task 5: Woodlots

Felling, bucking, skidding, loading or unloading timber with a butt diameter of more than 6 inches.

Task 6: Ladders and Scaffolding

Working from a ladder or scaffold (painting, repairing or building structures, pruning trees, picking fruit, etc.) at a height of over 20 feet.

Task 7: Transport

Driving a bus, truck or automobile when transporting passengers, or riding on a tractor as a passenger or helper.

Task 8: Toxic Atmospheres

Working inside fruit, forage or grain storage designed to retain an oxygen-deficient or toxic atmosphere (such as a grain bin); an upright silo within two weeks after silage has been added or when a top-unloading device is in operating position; a manure pit; or a horizontal silo while operating a tractor for packing purposes.

Task 9: Chemicals

Handling or applying (including cleaning or decontaminating equipment, disposal or return of empty containers, or serving as a flagperson for aircraft applying) agricultural chemicals classified under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 135 et seq.) as Category I of toxicity identified by the word “poison” and the “skull and crossbones” on the label or as Category II of toxicity, identified by the word “warning” on the label.

Task 10: Blasting

Handling or using a blasting agent, including but not limited to, dynamite, black powder, sensitized ammonium nitrate, blasting caps and primer cord.

Task 11: Anhydrous Ammonia

Transporting, transferring or applying anhydrous ammonia.

Role play – How do we make sure a young worker is ready to complete the task at hand?

Think of a task that the young worker will need to complete.

The “teach back method” requires: 1) the review of the task, 2) asking the worker to tell you how to do it, 3) watching the worker perform it and 4) checking in with the worker periodically to answer questions and ensure safe performance of the task.

Let’s Talk – Training on the farm

1. Review the task.

2. “Tell me.”

3. “Show me.”

4. Check in.

Let’s Talk – Check in with open-ended questions

An open-ended question is a question that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”, but requires an explanation.

Some examples are:

• How are you going to do this task?
• While you are doing this task, what can you do to prevent injury to yourself and others?
• How are you feeling today to give me a hand with the broken baler?

Are you ready to practice a new situation with open-ended questions?

Let’s Talk – Check in with open-ended questions

1. Don’t ask, “Do you understand?”
2. Do ask, “Please tell/show me how to do this.”

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