Posts - Safety, Health and Wellness in Agriculture

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

What is a cow’s flight zone?

If you are planning to move cattle, you must first understand their “flight zone.” Understanding a cow’s flight zone will reduce stress on the animal and reduce the likelihood of injuries to you and the animal. A cow’s flight zone is similar to your personal space—it is the distance from an animal that a handler must maintain for the animal to feel comfortable. When a person enters the cow’s flight zone, the cow will move. A dairy cow that is accustomed to human interaction on a daily basis has a smaller flight zone than a beef animal out on the range (the flight zone of such an animal might be up to 300 ft).

“Point of balance” is a factor related to flight zone, and working with a cow’s point of balance will also help you move a cow more safely. The point of balance is located at the cow’s shoulder. To move a cow forward, you should be positioned behind its shoulder. If you need to move the animal backward, position yourself in front of the shoulder. Whether moving a cow forward or backward, work at the edge of the cow’s flight zone and at angle of 45° to 60° so that you stay within the animal’s field of vision.

For more information about handling beef cattle, click here to view the article “Beef Cattle Handling Safety.”

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

Sun Exposure and Agriculture

(Photo Source: Pennsylvania State University Ag Safety & Health)

Use the following format to cite this article:

Sun exposure and agriculture. (2012) Farm and Ranch eXtension in Safety and Health (FReSH) Community of Practice. Retrieved from http://www.extension.org/pages/63042/sun-exposure-and-agriculture.

Farmers and ranchers need to be cautious about their exposure to the ultraviolet rays (UV) of the sun. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and is related to repeated exposure to the sun which causes damaging changes to a person’s skin. The two types of ultraviolet rays most likely to damage a person’s skin and increase the risk for developing skin cancer are Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB).

No one is immune to the sun’s UV rays; however, some skin types are more susceptible than others. People with blonde or red hair, fair skin, or freckles tend to get sunburned more quickly than others and should be even more vigilant about protecting themselves from the sun.

Skin damage builds up over the years, and once the damage has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

Risks of Sun Exposure

One of the main health concerns of sun exposure is skin cancer. In the United States, one in five people will develop skin cancer. Contact your physician if you notice a difference in your skin or changes in moles regarding asymmetry, border, irregularities, color, or size.

The three main types of skin cancer are basal, squamous, and melanoma. Basal and squamous cancers are typically associated with long-term exposure to the sun but are seldom fatal. Melanoma can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early and can affect people of all ages. When examining your skin for melanoma, look for changes in the size, shape, and color of existing moles and discolored patches of skin that may start small and grow.

Recommendations

The following recommendations can reduce an agricultural producer’s risk of sun exposure, skin cancer, and other sun-induced conditions:

Sun Intensity – Exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays is most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. When possible, avoid working in direct sunlight during this time. If you must be in the sun during these hours, take shade breaks to reduce exposure, drink plenty of water, and reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

Sunscreen – Sunscreens have one or more chemicals that absorb or disperse ultraviolet rays. Sun protection factor (SPF) is a numerical rating that indicates a specific amount of protection. You should wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15, but those with fair skin should use an SPF of 30 or higher. Due to exposure to water, weather, and perspiration, you should reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

Clothing – Long-sleeved shirts and long pants provide protection from the sun’s rays. Darker clothing with a tight weave provides more protection from the sun than light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Special SPF or UV-resistant clothing is available to reduce exposing your skin to the UV rays.

Hats – When it comes to sun protection, not all hats are created equal. You should wear a wide-brimmed (minimum of three inches wide) hat with flaps or drapes to provide sun protection for your eyes, ears, and neck.

Wide Brimmed Hat. Photo Souce: Penn State University

Sunglasses – To reduce the risk of eye damage from the sun, wear sunglasses with UV protection. When purchasing UV-blocking sunglasses, look for labels that indicate “UV absorption” or “meets ANSI UV requirements.” Long-term exposure of your eyes to the sun could cause pterygium (thickening of the outer coating of the eye), cataracts, and possibly macular degeneration.

Medications – Check both your prescription and over-the-counter medications concerning whether the medication creates sensitivity to sunlight, and discuss options with your physician.

Diseases – Sun exposure can be problematic for people with certain types of diseases or health conditions. Discuss your medical condition and sun exposure with your physician.

Use the following format to cite this article:

Sun exposure and agriculture. (2012) Farm and Ranch eXtension in Safety and Health (FReSH) Community of Practice. Retrieved from http://www.extension.org/pages/63042/sun-exposure-and-agriculture.

Citations

Jepsen, S. D. & Suchey, J. (2015) Sun exposure (Protect your skin). Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved from http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-79018.

Schwab, C. & Stone, J. (2002) Remember sun safety in the field. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Retrieved from https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=4993.

UV radiation. (2010). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/uvradiation/.

Reviewed and Summarized by:

Linda M. Fetzer, Pennsylvania State University – lmf8@psu.edu

Karen Funkenbusch – University of Missouri – funkenbuschk@missouri.edu

Dennis J. Murphy, Pennsylvania State University (Has since retired)

Charles V. Schwab, Iowa State University – cvschwab@iastate.edu

Aaron M. Yoder, University of Nebraska Medical Center – aaron.yoder@unmc.edu

May 17, 2019January 26, 2021

Use of Hand Signals in Production Agriculture

Use the following format to cite this article:

Use of hand signals in production agriculture. (2012) Agricultural Safety and Health eXtension Community of Practice. Retrieved from https://ag-safety.extension.org/use-of-hand-signals-in-production-agriculture/.

Hand signals are an important means of communication on farms and ranches when noise levels are too loud or the distance is too far between workers to effectively use verbal communication. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) developed a standardized set of 11 hand signals for use in production agriculture to enhance communication and promote safety (ASABE, 2011). With the exception of one hand signal, all of the signals can be completed with the use of one arm.

Hand signals can be used to effectively communicate instructions, save time, and lower the risk of an injury or death. As a farmer or rancher, you need to understand the hand signals and teach the hand signals to those involved in your operation. The ASAE hand signals are shown below: