Spring farm safety important – Columbus Telegram

Typically, National Farm Safety Week is in September. That is appropriate as there is a lot of harvest equipment on the road at that time of year.

I’d like to go over some reminders for spring, as there is a lot of farm field work going on now, too.

One specific request is that farmers take off the Personal Protective Equipment prior to entering the tractor cab or sprayer cab. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the gloves, goggles, aprons or other chemical resistant equipment worn while working with pesticides. The level of PPE required is specified by the type of pesticide applied.

A recent study done by Cornell University showed considerable pesticide residue in tractor and spray rig cabs during and after the spray season. The recommendation from that study is that operators not bring any PPE into the cab. In general, the cab and all the control levers and surfaces should also be cleaned at the end of the spray season.

Another consideration for mixing pesticides is to have proper supplies and tools around in case you would have a chemical spill when mixing. Having a shovel, kitty litter, sand or other absorbent material available will go a long way to effectively cleaning up an accident.

Other general safety reminders include:

n 1) stop every couple of hours or so for a break. Fatigue is a major contributor to accidents or unsafe situations.

n 2) insure that farm vehicles are properly marked with Slow Moving Vehicle signs as required by state law.

n 3) those in roll-over protected cabs should use seatbelts. In case of overturn, the operator is much safer if they stay in the cab. The only way to insure staying in the cab is to wear the seatbelt.

n 4) no extra riders. In most situations, extra riders cannot be buckled into the cab. If the cab is equipped with a jump seat for an extra rider, have them wear a seat belt too.

n 5) watch for overhead lines – most of the tillage equipment and planters fold and unfold for field use. When they are being deployed at the edge of the field they use a lot of room. Look up to be sure that you are safe.

Finally, a general reminder is in order for all of us “city cousins”. Farm equipment is traveling at a relatively low rate of speed on the rural roads. The closing speed as we approach farm equipment can catch people off guard. Be sure to slow down and plan your pass sooner than you normally would for regular traffic.

For more information or assistance, please contact Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Platte County. Phone: 402-563-4901 or e-mail AVYHNALEK2@unl.edu.