LESSON 6: FARM TOOLS & EQUIPMENT IN HORSES

AGRICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION - They can be trained to drive and can pull various sorts
of equipment. Their compact build and heavier bone
HAND TOOLS: structure give them the power and durability needed
for field work or heavy hauling.
HOE
MECHANICAL POWER TECHNOLOGY
- A long-handled gardening tool with a thin metal blade,
- Is the process of using agricultural machinery to
used mainly for weeding and breaking up soil.
mechanize the work of agriculture, greatly increasing
farm worker productivity and encourages large scale
SHOVEL
production and sometimes can improve the quality of
- A hand tool consisting of a broad scoop or a more or
farm produce.
less hollowed out blade with a handle used to lift and
throw soil from one place to another.
TRACTOR
- High-power, low- speed traction vehicle and power
TROWEL
unit. It is used for pulling or pushing agricultural
- A small handheld tool with a flat, pointed blade, used
machinery or trailers, for plowing, tilling, disking,
by gardener for digging holes.
harrowing, planting and similar tasks.
SCYTHE
BALER MACHINE
- A tool used for cutting crops such as grass or wheat,
- Is most often called hay baller is a piece of farm
with a long curved blade at the end of a long pole
machinery used to compress a cut and raked crop into
attached to which are one or two short handles.
compact bales that are easy to handle, transport and
store.
PICKAXE
- is a hand tool with a hard head attached perpendicular
COMBINE HARVESTER
to the handle. They are used as tools for landscaping,
- Is a versatile machine designed to efficiently harvest a
breaking up hard surfaces and as farming implements.
variety of grain crops. The name derives from its
combining three separate harvesting operations which
ANIMAL DRAFT TECHNOLOGY
are reaping, threshing and winnowing into a single
- The usage of any domesticated animal in drawing
process.
heavy loads. The use of draft animals rooted way back
into 3000 BC in Mesopotamia for farm work and pulling
Personal Protective Equipment In farming
wheeled vehicle.
- Refers to any specialized equipment or clothing worn
by farmers and ranchers for protection against health
Asian Water Buffalo
and safety hazards. PPE is designed to protect many
- Is probably the most important draft animal in the
parts of the body; eyes, head, face, feet, ears and etc. It
world today. They are particularly seen in tropical Asia,
does not prevent accident rather it reduce the injury or
where they assist in the production of rice.
the possibility of an accident.
MULES
GOGGLES
- A first generation cross between a horse and a donkey.
- Offer a good protection against front and side impact.
They are known for their hardiness and strength.
Unvented o indirect vented chemical splash goggles
provide protection from chemical vapors and liquids.
OXEN
- Cattle trained as a draft animal are called oxen. A fully
EARMUFFS
grown ox can easily outweigh a draft horse and can pull
- Comfortable to wear and offers long term protection
more weight. They may travel more slowly than horses
to loud noise created by the machineries used in
and may be less suited to some application. . They wear
plowing or harvesting.
a yoke that transfers pulling power from their neck
region and the driver steers them by tapping them on
the side.
CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE RESPIRATORS
- Provide a higher level of protection than dusk masks.
Covers nose and mouth with valve to control air
movement. Usually used when they are applying
pesticides and etc.
PADDED CLOTH GLOVES
- Protects hands from sharp edges, slivers, dirt and
vibration. Though it is not acceptable for handling
hazardous materials.
NITRILE FOOTWEAR
- Resists animal fats, oils, water, chemical and pesticides
that might lead to slips and falls.
CHEMICAL RESISTANT COVERALLS AND APRONS
- Are worn over regular work clothing offer additional
protection when diluting, mixing or applying pesticides.
OCCUPATIONAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Step 1: What are the hazards? A hazard is anything that
might cause harm, such as working from ladders or
working around elec- tricity. The risk is the chance that
someone could be harmed by these hazards.
» Spot hazards by walking around the work- place and
watching how people work.
» Learn from experience. Think about past accidents to
see if there are less obvious hazards.
» Ask people who work on the operation. They may
have spotted something you have not noticed.
Step 2: Who might be harmed and how? For each
hazard, decide who is most vulnerable to be
injured...employees, seasonal workers, family
(especially children), the public. Think on how they
might be injured.
Step 3: Weigh the risks and decide on pre- cautions. For
each hazard you need to look at what is already being
done; the controls that are in place; and the way work is
organized.
Step 4: Put the results into practice. A risk assessment
is not an end in itself. It will not stop someone from
being injured, or made ill, or dying. Make sure everyone
who works on the farm or ranch understands the
controls you have put into place.
Step 5: Check that controls stay in place and review the
assessment. No workplace remains the same.
Eventually new equipment will be purchased or ways of
working have changed that might bring in new hazards.
Conduct a risk assessment on an annual basis.
COMMON HAZARDS AND ITS CONTROL:
RESPIRATORY HAZARD
 Good Good respiratory protection is a vital
necessity for agricultural workers. The most
common respiratory illness is Organic Dust Toxic
Syndrome (ODTS) with flu-like symptoms: fever,
headache, and muscle pains caused by inhaling
dust from moldy hay, straw, or grain. Another
danger - exposure to low levels of NO2, H2S,
and NH3 - will result in the lung and eye
irritation, dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches,
while exposure to high levels of H2S and NO2
can cause unconsciousness or even death. The
best way to prevent respiratory diseases is by
wearing a well-fitted respirator and using a gas
monitor.
CONFINED SPACE HAZARD
 Confined space with limited means of entry and
insufficient ventilation, like manure pits, tanks,
and storage, present the danger of toxic and
explosive gas accumulation. Methane (CH4),
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Carbon dioxide (CO2),
and Ammonia (NH3) produced as a result of
decay, create a toxic, oxygen-deficient, and
explosive atmosphere. Surprisingly, many farm
workers are unaware of these hazards. To
prevent accidents, warning signs should be
posted around all manure pits, explosion-proof
ventilation equipment must be used in addition
to wearing the proper PPE and using gas
detectors.
CHEMICAL HAZARD
• In its Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health identifies around 450 organic substances
against which skin protection is required.
Wearing safety PPE prevents skin contact with
pesticides and other chemicals that can cause
dermatitis and other skin diseases. Working in
the environment where chemicals are handled
requires using appropriate respiratory
protection, and safety clothing - gloves, hats,
boots, coveralls, and glasses. Wearing well-
fitted, NIOSH-approved respirators when
working with chemicals will eliminate the
danger of inhaling harmful agents.
HEARING LOSS
• Hearing loss prevention is an important part of
agricultural workers’ safety program. Workers
need to be aware if noise levels in their
workplace exceed the permitted level of
exposure. They can use noise monitors and
sound meters to measure noise levels. When
noise exposure level is higher than 85 dB, the
workers must put on ear muffs or ear plugs.
With extremely high levels of noise, it is
advisable to combine these two for added
hearing protection. Ear muffs can be equipped
with a headband, a behind-the-head or under-
the-chin band, and a neckband, and some ear-
muffs can be mounted on hard hats.
HEAVY MACHINE OPERATION
• Heavy machinery used in agriculture includes
tractors without roll-over protection structures,
power take - off shafts, chainsaws, motorbikes,
and machinery with unguarded moving parts.
Improperly operating these types of equipment
may cause musculoskeletal disorders and
serious injuries. Thorough training and following
safety standards help prevent serious injuries.

HEAT AND COLD

• Extreme weather-related injuries include
sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration, or
hypothermia. To prevent heat-related illnesses,
provide a good ventilation system, cooling
vests, shade, and plenty of water for workers.
To protect against cold, workers should dress in
layers, wear gloves, hats, and insert heat packs
into shoes and gloves to warm up faster, drink
hot beverages, and take frequent breaks from
work by staying inside.

ANIMAL AQCUIRED INFECTIONS AND RELATED

HAZARDS
- Injuries inflicted by domestic animals include bites,
kicks, and transmission of certain infectious diseases
such as salmonella, ringworm, and leptospirosis.
Personal protective equipment against these hazards
includes respirators, gloves, glasses, protective
headwear, as well as appropriate safety clothing.

ANIMAL AQCUIRED INFECTIONS AND RELATED

HAZARDS
- Injuries inflicted by domestic animals include bites,
kicks, and transmission of certain infectious diseases
such as salmonella, ringworm, and leptospirosis.
Personal protective equipment against these hazards
includes respirators, gloves, glasses, protective
headwear, as well as appropriate safety clothing.