Module 2021-1 Farm Emergencies - On-Going Training and Evaluation Program 2021 - Yakima County Fire District 5
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Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services
On-Going Training and Evaluation Program 2021
Module 2021-1
Farm Emergencies
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Yakima County 2021 OTEP
Module 2021-1 Farm Emergencies
STUDENT PACKET
Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services
ONGOING TRAINING AND EVALUATION PROGRAM
Module Title: Module 2021-1 – Farm Injuries
Student
Preparation: 1. Review the Student Study Packet.
2. Review Yakima County protocols.
3. Both Part I (Video & Exam) and Part II (Skills Workshop) must be
completed to earn credit for the module.
Part I
Class Outline 1. Sign the roster.
For Video:
2. Review the student text and watch video.
3. Complete the celebration of knowledge with an 80% or better. No credit
is given until you reach a passing score.
Part I
Class Outline
For Ninth Brain: 1. Log into Ninth Brain.
2. Review the student text and watch the video.
2. Take the course and complete the celebration of knowledge (80% or
better to pass)
Part II
Class Outline 1. Sign in on the roster
For Workshop:
2. Rotate through all skill stations.
3. Turn in Yellow copy of skills evaluation form to the EMS Instructor. Turn
in White copy to your agency.
Class Length &
Requirements for
Completion 1. 2 Hours
2. Meet all objectives of skills stations and successfully pass celebration of
knowledge.
Your feedback and comments are important to us, please give feedback to the designated EMS
Instructors, your agency training officers, or submit an email to the Training Coordinator/EMS Ops
Manager, Brian Ireton, brian.ireton@co.yakima.wa.us or ES Director, Tony Miller,
antone.miller@co.yakima.wa.us
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Module 2021-1 Farm Emergencies
INTRODUCTION
Mr. Rogers, who is 74 years old, owns a small farm, working 200 acres with four seasonal
hired hands and his wife. He has been a farmer all his life, like his father before him, and
has had his share of accidents. On the morning of March 23, he decides to get the plowing
out of the way early and starts up his tractor, attaches the disc harrow, and takes off for
the back field. It is his habit to start at the most distant field and work his way back home
over the course of his day. When he finally arrives, over a mile from home, he lowers the
disc and begins the day's work.
It is not long before moisture in the ground creates huge
clods that clog the disc and force him to stop. He puts
the tractor in neutral, engages the brake (he thinks), and
climbs down to knock the clods loose. As he forces the
dirt free, the old tractor shifts into gear and lurches
forward, knocking Mr. Rogers to the ground and pulling
the implement across his lower legs. A disc is made of a
heavy frame and sharp blades designed for tearing up
earth. They tear through tissue and crush bone as easily
as they tear up earth. The disc completely severs his right leg and most of the left,
mangling both legs beyond recovery. Mr. Rogers is alone, over a mile from home, with
both legs rudely detached from his body. Although bleeding profusely, he retains enough
sense to call for help on his cell phone and then fashions crude tourniquets from his shirt
and belt.
When we think emergency response to an agricultural setting what are some of the
possibilities? Is the victim caught under an overturned tractor? Is the victim caught in a
swather or combine header? Is the victim engulfed in a grain silo? Did the victim go down
in a CA room? Are there hazardous materials involved? The possibilities and hazards are
limitless.
The challenges facing the fire/emergency services delivery system have gone beyond
basic rescue and extrication demands and have transcended into specialized areas that
significantly impact response capabilities. We are required to operate in a very dynamic
business. The difficulties presented in an emergency response scenario may be all but cut
and dry, or by the book.
GOALS
We cannot cover all the specifics for every call through the OTEP curriculum. That is why
we stick to the basics. Well-trained rescuers know what can and cannot be done with the
resources available. Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of equipment and
personnel will improve the "decision making" of those in charge and operating on an
emergency scene. The bottom-line, do not let OTEP be the only training in which you
and/or your department participate. There are many opportunities for added training both
expanding the basic curriculum and into specialty areas. It may save your life if you take
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Yakima County 2021 OTEP
Module 2021-1 Farm Emergencies
your training a step further! Until that time, understanding what specialty resources are
necessary and available for those non-typical calls is crucial.
• Basic emergency response in an agricultural setting
• Possible hazards encountered during a response in an agricultural setting
YAKIMA COUNTY AGRICULTURE
There are more than 2.2 million farms and ranches in the United States, ranging from
small one-man operations to huge conglomerates spanning thousands of acres and
employing hundreds of workers. Approximately 10 percent of the farms produce more than
75 percent of all U.S. agricultural products. Farming has always been a huge part of the
American lifestyle, going back to the Native Americans, who taught the colonists how to
work the ground in the New World. At first, farmers relied on manpower and animal power
to break ground, sow seeds, and harvest crops, which limited both the size of farms and
production. The Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century introduced machines that
could do the work of entire crews, allowing more ground to be opened up, more goods to
be produced, and more income to be earned.
According to the 2017 census of agriculture, in Yakima County there are approximately
2,952 farms and ranches on 1,781,463 acres. Yakima County consists of 4,295 square
miles or 2,748,800 acres of land. Farms and ranches consist of nearly 65% of the land
area in Yakima County.
Yakima County is ranked #1 in agricultural
product sales in the state. With crop
emphasis in fruits, tree nuts and berries,
as well as hops and hay. In hops alone,
Yakima County is the #1 producer in the
state, country and world producing 73% of
the hops in the United States. Yakima
County is also #1 in the state for
producing milk from cows, as well as
products from sheep and goats.
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Module 2021-1 Farm Emergencies
FARM or RANCH EMERGENCIES
Farm or ranch emergencies create unique challenges for responders. Responders need to
overcome long distances, remoteness, and terrain that affect response times and
transport; acquire specialized knowledge of farm chemicals, both manufactured and
natural, and their effects on the human body; contend with and sometimes control large
animals; and establish relationships with a variety of agencies across a range of
jurisdictions.
ANIMALS
Per the 2017 Census from the USDA Agriculture
County Profile (www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus) for
Yakima County Washington, we are number one in
the State for livestock, poultry and products.
Livestock, poultry, and products Rank in State
Poultry and eggs 11
Cattle and calves 3
Milk from cows 1
Hogs and pigs (D)*
Sheep, goats, wool, mohair, milk 1
Horses, ponies, mules, burros, donkeys 7
Aquaculture 26
Other animals and animal products 2
*D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual
operations.
Cattle, whether dairy or meat, differ widely in
temperament. Some are always gentle; others are quite
active, alert, and somewhat nervous under normal
conditions and very excitable under stress. The weight of
adult cattle varies, depending on the breed. Dairy cattle
from the smallest to the largest can weigh from
approximately 400 to 2000 pounds. Photo of cattle from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture
“Horses have different personalities just like people, cats,
dogs, etcetera. Some are naturally quiet and calm, whereas
others get excited easily and would hurt you in order to 'save
themselves' from whatever boogie man might be out
there. Horses especially, have a ‘flight’ response. If they
feel in danger they will always run as their first option. They
usually will only 'fight' (kick, bite, run you over) if they feel
their 'run' option is gone.” Tracy Bauman, owns and shows
Palomino quarter horse, he is
about 1100-1200 lbs. horses, and resides in Yakima County.
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Module 2021-1 Farm Emergencies
Swine/Hogs/Pigs are intelligent animals on par
with dogs. Although they can be intelligent,
gregarious and trainable, they can also be
strong-willed, and defiant. When piglets are
present, females can be very territorial and
dangerous, if they perceive any threat. Pigs
generally weight between 110 and 770 pounds.
Sheep/Goats
Sheep are a prey species, and their only defense
is to flee. Flock mentality movements protect individual sheep from predators.
Goats are more aggressive and inquisitive than sheep and tend to demonstrate
dominance within a social grouping more than sheep. Goats display their dominance by
lowering the head and pointing their horns at the subordinate animal.
EQUIPMENT
Most farm or ranch injuries come from large equipment hazards. Injuries usually
encountered with farm equipment include crushing, amputation (complete or partial),
burns, lacerations, and degloving. Hazards come from machines such as tractors,
harvesters, loaders, and many different types of attached implements such as mowers,
tillage, planting, and spraying equipment. We can also run into specialized implements
that are manufactured by the famers themselves. To make matters worse, new farm
machinery is sometimes cost prohibitive, forcing farmers and ranchers to work with
older machinery often designed with fewer safety features. As with any machinery, as it
ages, the risk of malfunctions increases. Lack of safety shields, brake failure, electrical
fires, fuel leaks, and flying sharp instruments are some of the hazards facing operators
of older farm equipment.
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Tractor accidents are the most common cause of death on American farms, with 110
people killed each year on average. Most tractors are powerful, slow-moving machines
that operate differently than the family car, requiring special training to manipulate the
correct levers and knobs to get the job done. Such training is often overlooked or is
insufficient. These machines are usually powered by large diesel engines, generating lots
of torque and horsepower, and have superheated surfaces that may or may not be
shielded or even labeled.
Be aware also that the rear tires on tractors are usually filled with a solution of calcium
chloride and water for extra weight. The solution may contain as much as five pounds of
calcium chloride per gallon of water to increase the tractor's weight and to provide freeze
protection. As an example, a 20.8-38 tractor tire will hold 140 gallons of water, an added
weight of 1168 pounds. A solution of five pounds of calcium chloride per gallon of water
will require 114 gallons of water and 570 pounds of calcium chloride. This solution adds
1521 pounds to the weight of each tire and remains slush-free up to -53°F. This makes the
tires dangerously heavy. Rear tractor tires should be handled with a forklift, loader, or hoist
to prevent injury.
Be extra careful on rescues around tractors. Be aware of equipment that still has the
power on. Your top priority is to stabilize the machinery and find someone with the
expertise to kill the motor and engage the braking system before you attempt a rescue or
treat an injured patient.
Tractors are often attached to one or more implements. Implements are commonly
attached by connecting to the tractors lift arms or drawbar. Tractor lift arms typically use
hydraulic power to lift the equipment and then gravity to lower the
equipment back down. Under normally operating conditions the
equipment will stay raised when
the unit is turned off. However, in
older tractors and even some
newer tractors, when the power is
disabled the lift arms can begin to
drift to a lowered position. Prior to killing power to the
tractor be sure to assess if the equipment connected to the
lift arms needs to be repositioned or stabilized. Implements
can also require power to function properly. This power
commonly comes from either onboard hydraulics or the
Power take-off (PTO) shaft. The PTO shaft is a fast-
spinning shaft extending horizontally behind the tractor to
power attachable implements. The PTO shaft can be
attached to augers, mowers, fertilizer spreaders, and combines. It is a common accident
site for farmers, and it can be a dangerous area for responders if the tractor is on. Most
tractor models use a double-clutch system, allowing the PTO shaft to turn when the tractor
is in neutral. It is a common accident site for farmers, and it can be a dangerous area for
responders if the tractor is on. When conducting your size-up of the scene be sure to be
careful of the exposed belts, rotating blades or spinners these units can provide power too.
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Losing control of large equipment on a farm is a common way of getting hurt. Farm and
ranch fields tend to follow the lay of the land. Plantings are sometimes done on grades or
slants, requiring the operator to traverse uneven terrain. Mix natural forces, such as gravity,
with a large weight load, and the potential for rollover accidents is great. According to a U.S.
Department of Labor survey, 2914 deaths related to tractor accidents occurred between
1992 and 2002, with an average of 124 per year
specifically attributed to rollover accidents.
Most tractor rollovers occur to the side. Typical
causes include the operator hitting an obstacle,
operating on steep slopes, using a front-end
loader, and driving at excessive speeds. In most
side rollover cases, you will find that an implement
was attached to, or was being towed by, the
tractor. This attached equipment increases the
severity of the accident and complicates rescue
operations.
Rear overturns are less frequent than side
rollovers but are more likely to be fatal. The
operator has a greater opportunity to jump or be thrown clear in a side rollover. In a rear
upset, however, the operator rarely has sufficient reaction time to
jump and nowhere to go if he does have time. Typical causes of rear
overturns are hitching to a point other than the drawbar, going up
steep slopes, and trying to free another stuck tractor.
In rear upsets, the
tractor usually
crushes the victim
against the seat
and steering
wheel. Fractured
hips and pelvises,
ruptured organs
leading to internal
bleeding, and
pneumothorax are the most common
injuries in such cases. Always suspect
spinal injury and maintain cervical spine restriction during rescue.
When medical problems and heavy machinery are combined, remember scene safety by
stabilizing and powering down equipment then using appropriate extrication devices and
personnel.
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• Power down the tractor and engage the braking
systems yourself. If you are unsure of how to do this,
then find someone nearby who does.
• When working around tractors, position all supports
and jacks so that the tractor is supported by its frame,
rollover protection structure, or engine block. Avoid
supporting or jacking by the wheels, as the differential
allows the wheels to turn.
• Remember to assess the need to stabilize attached implements, especially if they
are in a raised position.
• Extrication, even from upright equipment, can be challenging. Usually, cabs in
tractors are perched several feet off the ground to afford the farmer a commanding
view. Often, there is a small vertical ladder or set of steps that leads to the cab.
• The skills first taught in Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS) are always the best way
to proceed, using cervical collars, spine boards, KED, and 7-point restraints, which
give you control over the cervical spine and extremities.
Another heavy machine found on large farms is the combine, or grain harvester, a
machine invented in 1834 and improved over time to an almost fully automatic grain- and
corn-harvesting device. These days it is usually a self-propelled device powered by a
strong diesel motor and fitted with crop-specific heads or attachments.
Common injuries associated with the combine
include lacerations, crushing’s, amputations, and
degloving’s. In 2008, in Polk County, Oregon, a 12-
year-old boy was walking alongside a combine
when the operator decided to turn, running the
child down with the extended head and killing him.
Another recent fatality involved a 50-year-old man
in Madison County, Alabama, who was standing
behind the combine when the driver shifted into
reverse and unknowingly ran over him. He was
pronounced dead at the scene.
Fruit and nut tree farms have their own set of hazards and problems. Harvesting of fruits
and nuts is accomplished using simple ladders, complex rolling scaffolding, or hydraulic
bucket lifts, along with tools such as sharp knives and chainsaws. Common injuries from
the equipment and tools include fractures and brain injuries from falls, lacerations, and
amputations, and even electrocutions.
Research analysis of Washington Labor and Industry records show most injuries in
orchards result from working with ladders. Unstable placement, over-extension, slipping
while descending, and being struck by a falling ladder are examples of ladder-related
accidents. These accidents result in sprains (38%), contusions (26%), fractures or
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dislocations (12%), and multiple injuries (7%). Orchard injuries alone account for 45-58%
of workers compensation claims on Washington farms.
During rescues in orchards, you might find that your patient is not only stuck at an elevated
location but was using tools such as chainsaws or sharp knives, leading to severe
hemorrhaging and forcing treatment during extrication. When faced with extrication from
an orchard, access can be problematic, which makes planning and coordination of rescue
efforts vital. Newer trellised and high density planting methods can further limit our ability
to get traditional rescue equipment into the scene. You might need to consider bringing in
additional personnel or request assistance from various agencies with specialized rescue
training. Also keep in mind reaching out to the farm or other local businesses, they may
have access to specialized equipment such as snorkels or off-road lifts designed to work in
tighter spaces which will allow for better access to a patient stuck in an elevated position.
CHEMICALS
Every farm or ranch has a store of chemicals. Consequently, chemical burns and
poisoning are familiar occurrences on the farm. Some of the most common and easily
recognizable chemicals are manure; various ammonia compounds; various
organophosphates; fuels such as diesel, gasoline, kerosene, propane, and natural gas.
All of these chemicals listed pose hazards to individuals and rescuers. Most injuries
immediately seen are burns or respiratory compromise. Many may also produce an altered
level of consciousness before help is considered. Regardless of the injury to others, the
safety of responders should be the primary concern. Proper PPE and even
decontamination may need to happen prior to patient care.
Treatment for injuries or poisoning, after removal from hazard and decontamination, would
consist of specific treatment of signs or symptoms presented to the rescuer. Some
common signs or symptoms may be difficulty breathing to severe respiratory distress,
altered LOC, nausea and/or vomiting, Abdominal pain, chest pain or discomfort,
palpitations, hyper or hypo tension, generalized weakness, seizure activity, or excessive
salivation, watery eyes.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, farms present a unique set of challenges for responders across the United
States. Farms of various sizes present unique combinations of equipment, personnel,
animals, hazardous materials, and nature.
Responders must be aware of potential emergencies and must adequately respond. Victims
and hazards may be difficult to access and mitigate. Specialized equipment and resources
may be needed to manage farm emergencies. Preplanning and training are vital to the
successful outcome of a farm emergency.
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Yakima County 2021 OTEP
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