Princ e of Peace College, Inc.

Balete, Poblacion, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

princeofp eacecollege@gmail.com
Tel. No.: (043)287-3012

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Technology and Livelihood Education with Entrepreneurship

LESSON 3: Applying Safety Measures in

Farm Operation

In this lesson, you are expected to:

▪ identify the safety measures in farm operations;

▪ apply these safety measures in farm operations, and;

▪ give value to these safety measures in farm operations.

 Safety in the workplace is a primary concern in order to work smoothly and
productively.

In the farm, there are dangers that need to be addressed. Farmers must regard their
safety while they are at work. They ought to remember that they are dealing with chemicals,
sharp-up edged tools, electricity, and machineries. Therefore, safety nets must be drawn
and implemented.

Agricultural crop production involves activities undertaken in various areas. Farm

workers are exposed to a lot of risks. To avoid accidents, then, these hazards should be a
prime concern in the workplace.

TYPES OF HAZARD
The following are common hazards farmers are exposed to in their work.

1.) Physical. This includes floors, stairs, work platforms, steps, ladders, fire, falling
debris/objects, slippery surfaces, manual handling (lifting, pushing, pulling), excessively
loud and prolonged noise, vibration, heat and cold, radiation, poor lighting,
ventilation, and air quality.
 2.) Mechanical and/or electrical. This includes electricity, machinery, equipment, pressure
vessels, dangerous goods, fork lifts, cranes, and hoists.

3.) Chemical. This includes chemical substances such as acids or poisons and those that
could lead to fire or explosion like pesticides, herbicides, cleaning agents, dusts, and
fumes from a number of processes such as welding.

4.) Biological. This includes bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, insects, vermin, and animals.

5.) Psychological Environment. This includes workplace stressors arising from variety of
sources.

Farm Emergency Procedures

Safety precaution is needed to avoid accidents. Here are some ways to practice safety
in the working environment.

▪ Determine the potential emergencies like fire, flood, typhoon, machinery, entrapment,
electrical shock, snake or spider bite, chemical exposure, injuries, illnesses, and
accidents.

▪ Prepare emergency facilities in the farm such as deluge showers, eye washes,
firefighting equipment, and first aid kit.
▪ Make available correct equipment to contain and manage spills of any chemical or
other dangerous materials.

▪ Minimize the risk of personal injury or property damage through the strict
implementation of emergency procedures.

▪ Follow emergency response procedures.

▪ Identify the location of fire alarms fire extinguishers, and first aid kids; know how and
where to contact emergency services; and indicate where to safely assemble in the
event of an emergency.

Risk Factors
There are factors that may increase the risk of injury or illness for farm workers. These are:

▪ Age. Injury rates are highest among children age 15 and below, and adults over 65.

▪ Equipment and machinery. Most farm accidents and fatalities involve machinery.
What can help prevent such mishaps is proper machine guarding and maintenance.

Chemicals and Hazardous Tools and Equipment in the Farm

Various chemicals and tools are used in the farm. These may be harmful if not used
with care. The following are some chemicals and tools that may be hazardous when working
in the farm.

1. Spraying Chemicals – These chemicals are used to fertilize and control pests such as
insects, weeds, mollusks, etc. Most of these chemicals are applied by spraying.

Examples of Chemical Hazards:

▪ Spraying in a strong wind, and the spray drifting over a dam or farm
house.
▪ Washing spray equipment and the water running into open drains,
collecting in puddles, or running into stockyards or dams.
▪ Containers or chemicals lying around; empty containers lying in a heap.

Some ways to reduce risk of chemical hazards:

▪ Use personal protection equipment (PPE) such as respirators, waterproof
clothes, rubber gloves, and waterproof footwear.
▪ Store chemicals safely.
▪ Spray chemicals on days with no high wind.
▪ Know first aid procedure
▪ Keep a list of all hazardous substances used in the farm.
▪ Purchase of a chemical substance only if needed.
▪ Eliminate a hazardous substance or replace it with a less dangerous one.
▪ Keep records of farm chemicals.

2. Land Preparation Using Tractor – Accidents like the ones indicated below can happen:
▪ Victims fall off or are thrown from the tractor.
▪ Victims are run over by either the tractor or an implement being towed, or
both.
 ▪ The tractor makes an overturn.

Safety reminders in using tractors:

▪ Tractors are not passenger vehicles.

▪ Seat belts must worn when driving tractors
▪ There should be no sudden stops.
▪ Care should be observed in driving over holes, stumps and debris, or a
sharp turn.
▪ Never allow riders on tractor.
▪ Discuss with family members and farm workers the risks of riding a tractor.
▪ Post NO RIDERS on all tractors as a reminder to all regarding the policy.
▪ Provide vehicles other than tractors when transportation is needed at
worksites or in fields.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Farm workers and ranchers can benefit much from personal protective equipment
(PPE). They are protected from potential hazards while they are at work. They are spared
from farm work-related injuries and illnesses, for they are properly geared and braced. These
are as follows:

1. Hard hats for head protection

2. Safety eyewear such as glasses, goggles, face-shields
3. Acoustic earmuffs or plugs for the ears
4. Correct respiratory equipment: air pacts, dusk mask, cartridge, respirators, gas masks
for the lungs
5. Gloves for the hands

Cleaning and Storing Tools, Materials and Equipment

There are proper ways of cleaning and storing farm tools, materials and equipment.
These are means of preventing accidents as well as of reusing these implements anytime
without any problem or hitch. Additionally, every farm worker must take to heart these tasks
of cleaning and storing. Their safety and that of others involved in the farm operations area
assured.

Standard Cleaning Procedures

 1. Every farm worker must be properly trained on and apply the cleaning procedures.
2. A cleaning program and schedule should be developed according to the
recommended frequency and monitored to ensure their effectiveness.
3. Cleaning must not happen while fresh vegetables are being harvested, packed,
handled, and stored.
4. Water used for cleaning must be safe.
5. Cleaning should take place in a designated area away from the field and the storage
of agricultural inputs and fresh vegetables.
6. The instruction use of products like cleaning and disinfection chemicals must be known
to all farm workers.
7. Precautionary statements and mixing instructions must be strictly adhered to.
8. Tools, materials and equipment, containers, tools and fresh vegetables must be
secured and protected.

Cleaning Reusable Containers

1. Plant debris, soil, and residue of any kind must be removed using a brush or an
appropriate tool when necessary.
2. Containers should be inspected for physical damage that might cause injury,
spoilage, or contamination of fresh vegetables. If found, these should be repaired.
3. Containers should be checked for missed plant debris, soil, and residue. If found, these
should cleaned.
4. Label instructions for mixing cleaning and/ or disinfection chemicals must be
considered strictly.
5. Containers must be rinsed with clean water.
6. Rapid drying under the full sun must be done to containers.
7. Avoid contamination by storing reusable containers properly.

Cleaning Equipment, Tools and Garbage Cans

1. Plant debris, soil, and residue of any kind must be removed by using a brush or another
appropriate tool when necessary.
2. Equipment must be inspected for physical damage causing injury, spoilage, and
contamination of fresh vegetables. If found, these should be repaired.
3. Equipment, tools, and garbage cans must be checked for any missed plant debris,
soil, and residue. If found, these should be cleaned.
4. Label instructions for mixing disinfection chemicals should be followed strictly.
 5. Cleaning materials such as detergent and/ or disinfection chemicals should be
applied as required and made certain that no spots are missed.
6. Safe water should be used for rinsing or a clean wet towel may be used for equipment
parts that cannot be rinsed with water.
7. Small equipment and tools should not touch the floor after the cleaning procedures.
8. Rapid drying in the full sun must be done to the equipment.
9. Tools and equipment should be stored properly to avoid contamination.

Cleaning Areas for Handling and Storing Fresh Produce

1. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and if possible, plastic electrical motors,

electrical boxes, connections, light fixtures, etc. must be covered. There should be no
use of packaging material.
2. Trash and any accumulated plant debris should be off the floor.
3. The entire ceiling infrastructure and light fixtures must be rinsed using low pressure
water to remove dust and soil build up. Walls, windows, and floors must be rinsed from
downward.
4. Areas should be scrubbed with brush and cleaning materials such as detergent. There
should be no missed spots.
5. Label instructions for mixing, cleaning and/or disinfection chemicals must be strictly
followed.

Cleaning Hygienic Facilities

1. Trash should be picked up and put in the trash can.

2. Toilets, sinks, and any other fixtures should be cleaned using the proper detergent.
3. The entire floor surface should be rinsed using low pressure water to remove and soil
build up.
4. Label instructions for mixing, cleaning and/or disinfection chemicals must be strictly
followed.
5. Cleaning materials or disinfection chemicals must be applied as required to the entire
floor surface area. No spots should be missed.
6. Floor and drains must be rinsed.
7. Excess water should be removed and drying out at room temperature should be
done.
8. Hygienic facilities should have enough toilet paper, soap and disposable towel.
Technique in Storing Chemicals

Safe management of chemicals involves the following:

A. Correct labeling and packaging

▪ Signal words such as CAUTION, POISON, and DANGEROUS POISON alert users to
the possibility of poisoning if the substance is swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed
through the skin.
▪ The Dangerous Goods (ADF) diamond refers to an immediate risk health or
safety like flammable liquids.
▪ Risk phrases describe the type the type of health effects like irritating the skin,
and safety phrases stat precautions for the safe handling, storage, spills,
disposal, and fire like keep away from combustible material.

B. Provision of material safety data sheets (MSDS)

▪ The MSDS provides relevant advice about the product, its health effects, safe
use and handling, storage, disposal, first aid, and emergency operation. This is
obtained by farmers from their supplies. It should be accessible to emergency
service personnel and any employee exposed to hazardous substances.

C. Safe transport, storage, use and disposal of substance

▪ Safe storage of farm chemicals is necessary to protect them from the elements,
restrict access, and prevent contamination of the environment, food, or
livestock. Never store substances labeled yellow diamond with a red diamond.
▪ Small quantities can be transported on vehicle provided that the container is
properly secured and safe from spillage.
▪ Empty farm chemical containers and dispose of unwanted chemicals properly.
Wash the containers out three times and use the rinse water to dilute further
batches of the chemical to working strength.

Waste Management System

Waste management is a specific technique, strategy, or a device used to treat waste

materials. It includes the collection, transportation, recycling, disposal, or processing of
waste. It attempts to curb waste for reasons such as public health threat, environmental
concerns, or the general appearance of a location.

Waste management systems vary according to social, cultural, and technological

norms.

1. Landfills. These attempt to busy waste underground separate waste within the
confines of an enclosed area.

2. Incineration. This burns waste material using high temperatures. Also, it can be used to
convert the combusted wasted into usable energy sources.

3. Recycling. There are specifically marked bins intended for disposal of recyclable
materials.

4. Reducing wastes. This is preventive and looks to control the production of waste.

5. Introduction into the public consciousness of ecologically beneficial behaviors . This is

to produce a greener world.

Environmental Laws

The following are some environmental laws to ensure proper waste management and
protecting the environment.

▪ Presidential Decree (PD) 1152 (The Philippine Environmental Code). It provides a basis
for an integrated waste management regulation from waste source to methods of
disposal.
▪ Republic Act (RA) 6969 (The Toxic Substances, Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control
Act). It is a law designed to respond to increasing problems associated with toxic
chemicals and hazardous and nuclear wastes.

Others are: PD 984 (Pollution Control Law), PD 1586 (Environmental Impact Assessment
System Law), RA 8749 (Clean Air Act), and RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste
Management).
 LET’S ANLYZE
1. What specific safety measures must be strictly implemented in the farm regarding
tools, materials, and equipment?
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2. In what varied and creative ways can these safety measures be known to all?
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3. How hazards and risks are manage or handled by farm workers and ranchers?
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4. Why is personal protective equipment vital in farm operation?

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5. How does the waste management system work? What laws support this system?
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6. What are some cleaning and storing techniques that need to be done for the farm
operations?
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LET’S PERFORM

GROUP ACTIVITIES
A. Discuss as a group the hazards in the farm. Then do a COVER SONG as a creative way
of reporting based on your discussion. (Groupings will be posted in our GC) This will be
done through a video presentation.

RUBRICS/INDICATORS – Creative Reporting

▪ The team work as one.

▪ The cover song is informative and substantial.
▪ The creativity of the video presentation.

B. SLOGAN MAKING: Create a slogan on the proper use of tools and equipment in the
farms.

RUBRICS/INDICATORS – Slogan Making

▪ The output is pleasing to the eye.

▪ The slogan is clear and informative.
LET’S REFLECT
Hazards and risks in the farm are real. Awareness is an initial step toward their
prevention and control. Why do you think so?

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“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” -

Audrey Hepburn