Safety and Pesticides

Transcription

1 Safety and Pesticides

2 Be Alert!! Farms present certain hazards to those working on the farm, and to those just visiting. As an enumerator, it s important to have a good understanding of these hazards and how to protect yourself.

3 Walking and Working Surfaces Farm landscapes are unpredictable. Can find anything from tire ruts, rocks, nails, animal droppings from one step to the next. Be cautious entering barns or other buildings: Ladders and stairways may be in disrepair. Some barns have holes in the floor to allow for easy transport of hay to lower levels. These holes may be covered or clogged with hay, making them indistinguishable from the floor. You could fall onto concrete floor or cattle stall.

4 Power Take Offs (PTOs) A PTO is a shaft at the rear of a tractor. Connects to farm implement and provides mechanical power to the implement. PTOs can spin at extremely high speeds. Often the point of operation and power takeoff shafts are not guarded on tractors or other farm implements. Caught loose clothing can entangle a person in seconds.

5 Livestock and Pets Animals can be aggressive towards new people and set off by objects and smells. Don t interact with animals unknown to you. Be calm and deliberate around livestock. Avoid the animal s blind spot. Avoid loud noises and do not yell. Always leave yourself a way out in close quarters. Use extreme caution around male farm animals.

6 Dehydration Dehydration is a condition that occurs when a person loses more fluids than he or she takes in. Signs of dehydration include thirst, feeling dizzy and lightheaded and having a dry or sticky mouth. The easiest way to avoid dehydration is to drink lots of fluids, especially on hot, dry, windy days. Wear loose-fitting clothing and a hat if you can. This will keep you cooler and cut down on sweating. Long sleeve shirts and pants are also a wise idea. Avoid being in the fields during the hot time of the day. Some crops create humidity, which can be dangerous on a hot day. Don t forget to use sunblock.

7 Driving Inspect your vehicle Secure the materials for the day Seat belt Drive Defensively Avoid Impairment Avoid DISTRACTIONS

8 Biosecurity Most farms, especially livestock operations, have bio-security plans to keep out diseases, limit the spread of disease, improve overall health of their animals, reduce mortality losses, and improve profitability. Enumerators need to respect operators who don t want outsiders on their operation for fear of disease contamination.

9 These facilities are controlled! Expect to see posted warning signs. Expect to see locked buildings. Be prepared to sign into a visitor log book. You may be asked where else you have been. You may not be permitted on the operation. Consider calling ahead before visiting. You may have to set up an off-site interview or telephone interview. If it s your first visit to an operation, you may want to go with your supervisor or some other enumerator who has been there before who knows the layout of the operation and the concerns of the respondent.

10 When entering a field Always be observant of any evidence that recent spraying may have occurred (i.e., if you smell it, don t go in). Be aware of the signs of pesticide poisoning. This may resemble fatigue or common symptoms of illness. Symptoms of pesticide poisoning include headaches, dizzy spells, nervousness, sudden weakness, sick stomach, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, breathing difficulty, coma, seizures, and reduction of pupils of the eye.

11 Field Re-entry Intervals Organophosphorus Chemicals Re-entry permitted 72 hours after application Fields treated with an organophosphorus chemicals within the last 30 days, you must: Wear a long sleeve shirt, long trousers and head covering. Not wear any clothing more than one day without laundering. Limit work time to a maximum of 6 hours per day in these fields. Thoroughly wash all exposed skin (hands, face, etc.) that may have come into contact with plant foliage during the field visit.

12 Questions???