Extension Outreach
For further information on these research projects, please call (608) 262-6330.
Agricultural Safety Management
Prevention of farm related injuries and illnesses must be part of farm management, not just an add-on activity. This program promotes the application of safety management techniques as well as designating one individual on the farm to have ultimate managerial responsibility for the safety and health of employees and family members. A women's video with discussion guide (funded by the Kraft Dairy Trust) has been developed to empower women to become more proactive in making their farms safer. A section on agricultural safety management is being prepared for the AgVentures human resource module. Opportunities for presentations at county or district levels are invited.
Farm Machinery/Systems Safety
Farm tractors and other machines continue to be leading causes of farm-related death and serious injury. This program promotes hazard control on farm machines as well as safe operation. A tractor overturn exhibit was developed (funded in part by the Kraft Dairy Trust) for Wisconsin Farm Progress Days.
Wisconsin Safe Operation of Tractor and Machinery Certification Program
This 24-hour program meets the requirements of Wisconsin Act 455, which requires youth under the age of 16 to hold a certificate of training in order to operate a tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry on a public road. It also meets the child labor requirements in agriculture under the Fair Labor Standards Act, pertaining to the employment of youth ages 14-15 on farm not operated by their parents or guardians. The Center provides training and resources for the instructors of these programs on the local level. A Kraft Dairy Trust Fund grant was received to develop a video and instructional materials related to operating agricultural equipment on public roads for this program.
Youth Agricultural Safety and Health
Community-based efforts target youth and their families through a variety of programs. Safety Days in the form of day camps and school programs for youth in grades K-8 develop the youths' lifeskills related to safety and health, and the youth have a fun time in the process. These programs allow for many organizations, agencies and businesses to be involved in promoting safety to the youth of their community.
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
AgrAbility of Wisconsin is a partnership program between University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension and the Easter Seal Society of Wisconsin. Since 1991, AgrAbility of Wisconsin has served nearly 400 farmers, farm workers and their families dealing with the effects of a disability. AgrAbility can provide consultation on equipment and worksite modifications; stress management techniques; community services and health care coordination; farm job restructuring/alternative job development; support group involvement; farm safety and secondary injury prevention; and identification of funding resources.
© 2006, UW Center for Agricultural Safety and Health
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