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Fall harvests are underway in the area and being stewards of the land, farmers and ranchers know an accident can happen in a split second. Producers also know that basic safety practices help prevent serious accidents -- the key to is taking time to do so.
Box Butte General Hospital’s Emergency Department urges farmers and ranchers to be safe this harvest season, and provides the following information.
The National Safety Council reports that runovers caused by falls from tractors and trailing equipment are one of the most common forms of injuries that happen on farms and ranches. Help prevent falls from machinery by following these basic safety practices:
· Wear shoes and boots with slip-resistant soles and heels.
· Keep platforms, foot-plates and steps clear of mud, snow manure or other debris.
· Before moving, check the tractor and trailing equipment to see that no one has climbed aboard without your knowledge.
· Remove tools and other items that may cause a tripping hazard from the operator platform.
· Never allow anyone to ride on the drawbar or towed machinery.
· Insist that no one ride on farm equipment except those required for its operation.
· Reduce speed on rough, uneven or hilly ground.
· Wait for the tractor to stop before getting off. Set brakes and step down using hand holds or rails.
· Whenever possible, equip tractors with a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) cab.
If an accident happens, the first rule is to get help by calling 911 (always have some means of communication available, such as a cell phone). It will take time for EMTs to get to your location, so there are a few things you should do until help arrives, if you are physically able, such as …
Head trauma:
· Keep as still as possible. Lie down and stay quiet, with your head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don’t move unless necessary and avoid moving your neck.
· If able, try to stop any bleeding. Apply firm pressure to the wound with as clean a cloth as you can find, but don’t apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture.
Fractures (broken bones):
· If the broken bone is the result of a major trauma or injury, call 911 or your local emergency number:
· Stop any bleeding. Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.
· Immobilize the injured area. Don’t try to realign the bone, but if you’ve been trained in how to splint and professional help isn’t readily available, apply a splint to the area if you are able to do so. If not, keep the fractured area as still as possible.
· If able, apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain until emergency personnel arrive. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin — wrap the ice in a towel, piece of cloth or some other material..
· Watch for signs of shock. If breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay down with your head slightly lower than the trunk and, if possible, elevate the legs.
Severe bleeding:
· Lie down. If possible, position your head slightly lower than the trunk or elevate your legs. This position reduces the risk of fainting by increasing blood flow to the brain. If possible, elevate the site of bleeding.
· Remove any obvious dirt or debris from the wound. Don’t remove any large or more deeply embedded objects. Don’t probe the wound or attempt to clean it. Your principal concern is to stop the bleeding.
· Apply pressure directly on the wound. Use a clean cloth or even a piece of clothing. If nothing else is available, use your hand.
· Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops. Hold continuous pressure for at least 20 minutes without looking to see if the bleeding stopped. You can maintain pressure by binding the wound tightly with a bandage (or the cleanest piece of cloth or clothing you can find) and adhesive tape.
· Don’t remove the gauze or bandage. If the bleeding continues and seeps through the gauze or other material you are holding on the wound, add more absorbent material on top of it.
· Squeeze a main artery if necessary. If the bleeding doesn’t stop with direct pressure, apply pressure to the artery delivering blood to the area of the wound. Pressure points of the arm are on the inside of the arm just above the elbow and just below the armpit. Pressure points of the leg are just behind the knee and in the groin. Keep your fingers flat. With your other hand, continue to exert pressure on the wound itself.
· Immobilize the injured body part once the bleeding has stopped.
© Copyright by Double Q Country Radio
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