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Hearing Health and Safety

1. If you ever have a question about safety in the facility look to the Safety Program Contacts This list identifies who will be able to answer your questions on the company s safety programs The Farm Emergency Information sheet tells you who to call what to say and what steps to follow in case of a fire The First Aid Cardholders Sheet is a list of everyone in the facility who has received first aid training along with their name and contact number Be sure to understand the Evacuation Plan for each building The plan outlines how to identify the evacuation symbol and route for the building as well as where you should report upon evacuation It will also inform you of whom the nose count leader will be at the evacuation site Above all do not put yourself at risk by staying in the building searching for these lists Be sure you are familiar with this information before an emergency happens so you will know how to react immediately Fire fighting Even after taking all precautions to prevent a fire in the facility fires may still occur If you are the first to notice the fire take the steps outlined in the acronym RACE e Rescue First rescue or remove those in immediate danger e Alert Alert all employees of the need to evacuate by sounding your facility s evacuation signal You will learn what your facility s evacuation symbol is from your safety program instructor during your classroom training e Confine Confine fi
2. Personal protective equipment or PPE such as masks and respirators can help you do your job safely and help to prevent long term health effects Wear the PPE that is best suited for the job you are performing Your employer will help determine which PPE is necessary and appropriate for each job Keep your PPE clean and in good shape and always return PPE to its proper storage place when you are finished using it Respirators and dust masks help block the entry of harmful gases and dust into the lungs Be sure to wear a respirator or dust mask while performing work in designated areas where you may be exposed to harmful dusts gases or sprays Wear a SCBA or other supplied air respirator if you are authorized to enter a confined space such as a manure pit or grain bin Notify your supervisor if maintenance or entry into a confined space is necessary and never enter a confined space alone or without proper equipment and proper authorization training You will need to demonstrate to your employer that you are able to wear and work a respirator Be careful of any eyewear facial hair deep facial scars or deformities that might prevent a secure fit You should be able to feel the suction in the fit If you can smell any odor or feel any irritation when working with chemicals the fit is not secure There are two categories of respirators Your employer will help determine which one is right for your particular situation air purifying respirators
3. Pork Production Safety System Pork Production Safety System Participant Workbook Rotor Credits Content Editor Writers Barbara Mulhern Agricultural Safety Specialist Terry Steinhart Swine Field Specialist lowa State University Extension Technical Medical Consultants Steven Kirkhorn MD MPH National Farm Medicine Center Occupational Health Marshfield Clinic Kelley Donham MS DVM lowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health University of lowa College of Public Health Susanna Von Essen MD MPH Department of Internal Medicine University of Nebraska Omaha Tegwin Taylor DVM Center for Animal Health and Food Safety University of Minnesota Diana Jones OSHA Consultation Division Oklahoma State Department of Labor Vince Lange Risk Control Services Locton Companies Inc Content Experts The Pork Checkoff s Worker Safety Advisory Group Gordon Moore Hitch Enterprises Harry Thompson Seaboard Farms Joe McNertney lowa Select Farms Paul Ramsbey Pipestone Systems Allen Mires Texas Farms Perry Parks Murphy Brown Craig Rowles Elite Pork Bob Dykhuis Dykhuis Farms Pork Production Safety System Contents aha ee 0 cok W fo g isere neee eaea AEE a aA EEEa EEA EEr ese tana 4 Emergency Action Plan sssssecesssecesesssestescececsssseseseseees 10 Good HOUSEKEEPING eeesessssescsesscscssessscessecsseessecseeseseeesseees 14 Avoiding Repetitive Motion INjuries es eeceseseseeeeee
4. Punctures cuts and needle stick injuries are among the most common injuries and occur when clipping teeth giving shots cutting tails 77 notching ears tattooing and castrating You may process hundreds of pigs in one day working in a large sow complex Stay focused and attentive Fatigue increases your chances of injury so take advantage of scheduled breaks so you do not become overtired and in order to stay focused As a result of repeating the same physical motion you could develop a repetitive motion injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome This is a disorder that occurs when a nerve that runs from the forearm into the hand becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist Carpal tunnel is characterized by discomfort and weakness in the hand and a person may have symptoms in one or both hands Among the first symptoms are numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers pain in the wrist palm or forearm more numbness or pain at night than during the day more pain as the hand or wrist is used trouble gripping objects and weakness in the thumb Physically altering how you perform the repetitive activity such as by changing hands is one way to help reduce the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome If possible keep your wrist in a neutral position Gently stretching your hands and fingers during short breaks can also help Avoiding hand injuries Injecting sows in stalls often leads to hand injuries These can occur if your hand i
5. do not store items so that they block other items used everyday creating extra work and extra hazards do not store materials where they will block emergency passages such as aisles stairs exits or emergency equipment such as fire equipment or first aid stations and do not store cylinders of compressed gas near heat sources that may cause an explosion and fire Key points Do Watch out for slippery floors Eliminate trip and fall hazard Avoid waste accumulation Eliminate unsafe storage Keep floors clean and clear of waste Report areas with inadequate lighting to your supervisor Put away tools and equipment that aren t being used Clean up spills immediately Use aisles and stairways as storage areas Allow materials to build up on floors Block emergency exits fire equipment or first aid stations with stored materials Store compressed gases near heat sources 16 Pork Production Safety System Avoiding Repetitive Motion Injuries Repetitive motion injuries are common in the pork production industry In this lesson you will learn what repetitive motion injuries are which tasks in the pork industry require repetitive motion what the symptoms of repetitive motion injuries are and how to decrease the likelihood that you will suffer from a repetitive motion injury Vocabulary Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive motion injury that occurs when a nerve that runs from the forearm to the hand becomes pre
6. Nip or pinch points Blades Other hazards 87 Areas to be guarded include e The actual point of operation Power transmission components such as belts gears drivelines etc Other moving parts Machinery designed for fixed operation should be securely anchored Power washing hazards Power washing enables you to clean a barn much faster and better than doing it by hand It s a critical tool for hog operations but can be very dangerous if you do not know how to do it correctly When power washing you re spraying cold or very hot water under thousands of pounds of pressure It only takes a split second for water under that much pressure to penetrate your skin and result in serious injury To prevent injury from happening to you or others while power washing follow these safety guidelines e protect your body by wearing correct PPE e wear safety goggles to protect your eyes earplugs or earmuffs to protect against hearing loss and gloves to protect your hands e never aim the gun at another person an animal or an electrical device e never rig the trigger to remain in the ON position and e use only your hands to depress the trigger offset hand fatigue by switching hands and taking frequent breaks Gasoline powered power washers can produce another hazard causing death by carbon monoxide poisoning You may not be aware that small gasoline powered engines produce high levels of carbon monoxide Carbon mo
7. a heavy colorless gas that can cause respiratory rates to increase at high levels Humans will have no reactions at low levels however at a 10 percent concentration level carbon dioxide will cause panting and dizziness In animals a four percent concentration would cause a noticeable increase in respiration rate and could lead to death Carbon monoxide is also found in hog facilities It is released from unvented heaters and gas powered power washers Carbon monoxide is hard to detect as it is both colorless and odorless Carbon monoxide 48 Pork Production Safety System is an extremely toxic gas and can kill humans exposed to high concentrations The final of the five gases found in hog facilities is hydrogen sulfide This gas is released during decomposition and agitation of manure Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable poisonous gas and smells like rotten eggs Hydrogen sulfide is extremely dangerous because concentrations of the gas as low as one tenth of a percent cause an immediate loss of consciousness and death in humans If exposed to amounts lower than this you may experience severally irritated eyes throat and lungs As the concentration increases humans will vomit suffer from diarrhea and can eventually die If animals are constantly exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide it will cause them to become fearful of light nervous and they will lose their appetite Ventilation If in the facility there is a time when these
8. all other industries in work related fatalities A majority of all agricultural accidents involve some type of machinery or equipment On pork operations however most occur during animal human interaction People don t often think about what they might lose if they are injured or how an injury might affect their life and the lives of those around them If you re injured on the job you can lose time and income while recovering Medical and rehabilitation bills can pile up You can lose the ability to function temporarily or permanently as you did before the accident And no matter what your role is to your operation injuries to workers put tremendous physical and financial strains on the business Worst of all accidents can cost people their lives Your operation s safety program is in place to provide an environment that encourages safety awareness and compliance in all employees It is designed to help minimize accidents both human and material by taking a proactive approach to safety A proactive approach requires the identification of unsafe or hazardous conditions in every area of the operation today and in the future It also strives to e provide a uniform safety management policy consistent with the requirements of OSHA and the operation s insurance carriers e define specific responsibilities for effective enforcement of all safety policies procedures and programs provide a means for ongoing development and updating of
9. an air line respirator or a self contained breathing apparatus SCBA will let you safely breathe in an unsafe environment A unique set of responses which can be remembered by using the acronym RACE is required when there is a fire in the facility RESCUE those in immediate danger ANNOUNCE to others the need to evacuate CONTAIN the fire by closing doors and windows as you exit EVACUATE immediately Go straight to the designated meeting spot upon evacuating the building so that your head count leader will know that you have safely made it out of the building If the fire occurs outside of the building such as a scrub or grass fire be sure to notify all neighbors of the potential dangers so they may take action Learn who to call what to say what to do in the event of an emergency Know how to contact employees trained in CPR and first aid cardholders on the operation Know who to contact with questions about the operation s safety program 12 Do Pork Production Safety System Read and know your facility s Emergency Action Plan and Information Know the Safety Program contacts Know and follow the five step emergency procedure Use the RACE response plan in dealing with fires Fail to report or notify others of emergency situations Enter a building known or suspected to have hazardous gasses without following safety procedures and wearing proper respiration equipment Fail to notify neighbors and ot
10. and supplied air respirators Air purifying respirators are equipped with filters through which the wearer breathes These respirators do not supply oxygen to the person wearing it Instead they filter the air already present Examples of this type of respirator include mechanical filter respirators chemical cartridge respirators gas masks and powered air purifying respirators 50 Pork Production Safety System The other type of respirator you may use is a supplied air respirator This is the only type of respirator you should use when working in areas considered immediately dangerous such as manure pits sealed silos or fumigated bins There are two types of supplied air respirators an air line respirator and self contained breathing apparatus A supplied air respirator can do more than just protect your health in a dangerous area it can save your life You must adhere to the respiratory safety procedures set forth by your employer If your employer approves you to wear a supplied air respirator when working in dangerous areas always wear it Key points e Minimize exposure to dust e Minimize exposure to hazardous gases e Personal protective equipment for respiratory health and safety To prevent chronic respiratory illness due to dust do e Achieve dust control and reduction by doing regular facility washdowns e Achieve filtration through wearing a dust mask e Achieve dilution by bringing fresh air into the contaminated are
11. aware of e the gestation barn when sows are being fed e working around tractors e feed grinders banging of gates or feeders e aeration fans for grain bins e power washer motors and e working with or treating hogs 40 Pork Production Safety System As you can see from this list working in pork production can potentially result in hearing loss if you do not take steps to protect yourself Hearing protection So just when do you need to wear hearing protection To figure this out you must know out how much time you are spending in different levels of noise The table below provides guidelines for when you should be wearing hearing protection when working Exposure Time Per Day Decibels dBA 15 minutes 115 30 minutes 110 1 hour 105 1 5 hours 102 2 hours 100 3 hours 97 4 hours 95 6 hours 92 8 hours 85 Determining the exact decibel level takes special equipment you may not have access to A general rule of thumb to help determine the decibel level is if you must raise your voice to be heard by someone three feet away the noise level is likely above 85 decibels and you need to be wearing hearing protection With such a high risk of hearing loss it is important to take all possible measures to prevent the problem when working in a hog operation including e removing yourself from the hazard zone whenever possible e not being near loud machinery or equipment e leaving the area when you re done work
12. equipment into look around for overhead wires and electric poles and then plan your job around them Remember high voltage power lines are not insulated Also some jurisdictions prohibit any work within six feet of lines that carry between 600 and 50 000 volts and require a minimum distance of 10 feet from these lines when operating boom type lifting equipment If it s difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance without help designate an employee to observe the distance between the crane equipment and the line so they can give a timely warning to the operator This should be the ONLY job the monitor is performing Electrical fires In the event of an electrical fire stop the flow of electricity by pulling the plug out or switching off the power at the breaker box This may stop the fire immediately Never throw water on an electrical fire Water is an excellent conductor of electricity and therefore puts you at risk of electrical shock Instead use a Class C fire extinguisher designed for use on electrical fires Make sure you know how to operate a Class C fire 26 Pork Production Safety System extinguisher and where the nearest one is in case of emergency If you have questions or have difficulty locating an extinguisher ask your supervisor for help Good housekeeping Make sure you can get to the main power source as quickly as possible without climbing over obstructions in the event of an emergency Keep
13. exhibit a unique set of behaviors The boar will grunt nuzzle chomp and salivate a great deal when it comes into contact with the sow The boar will also contact the sow nose to nose or nose to genital area It will lift or push the sow in the rear flank area None of these things are a threat to you as the handler unless the behavior is disrupted Working with boars presents a number of safety challenges you will not encounter with other types of pigs Boars have tusks that can very easily harm you A boar can simply raise his head and drive his tusks into you to cause injury Boars are very unpredictable animals so you should always be aware of the animal and your position to it so you may protect yourself if the boar becomes aggressive If you need to separate a boar from another pig use a sorting board for your safety and the animal s safety Boars are very deceiving animals In some situations they may seem tame and unthreatening but then become suddenly aggressive Therefore you need to be constantly aware of what the boar is doing when you are near him One of the greatest defenses a boar has is its size and strength Do not underestimate the physical power of boars when working with them Sows are usually very docile animals but can become very protective and aggressive if they feel their litters are being threatened or they are stressed from farrowing Gilts can become stressed or aggressive when they are farrowing When sows or g
14. extreme temperatures e Working carelessly in either extreme cold or extreme heat can lead to illness disability or even death e Be alert to early warning signs of cold or heat related stress both in yourself and in co workers In extreme cold do e Wear several layers of loose clothing waterproof insulated boots and a hat e Move into warm locations periodically e Avoid touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin In extreme heat do Drink plenty of water e Wear lightweight light colored clothing e Take breaks in a cool shady area e Watch for symptoms of heat stress both in yourself and co workers 36 Pork Production Safety System In extreme cold don t Stay out in the extreme cold for extended periods of time Stay in wet clothes Drink anything containing alcohol or caffeine Ignore symptoms of cold weather exposure In extreme heat don t e Wear shorts on the job e Try to get a suntan while working e Try to keep up with the rest of the crew even though you feel ill Ignore symptoms of heat stress 37 Hearing Health and Safety Your ability to hear may be put at risk by working in a hog production facility without protection In this lesson you will learn about the importance of auditory health safety and the prevalence of hearing loss within hog operations It s important to have an understanding of the auditory hazards present in pork production Auditory hazards are
15. is through early detection and treatment Avoid injury Repetitive motion injury does not necessarily have to affect you or your ability to work You can take precautions to decrease your chances of suffering repetitive motion injuries Be sure to work in a comfortable position where all tasks can be performed using motions that feel natural to you When performing the same task for a period of time take stretch breaks and be sure to gently stretch each part of the body you have been using Do not try to perform the same task all day or for a long period of time Instead try to rotate your tasks so you can use different parts of the body for shorter periods of time After you have taken a break change your position to use another type of motion or another body part Finally as you perform your daily work maintain good posture 18 Pork Production Safety System Key points Do Work in a comfortable position Take short stretch breaks when performing repetitive motion tasks Change your position following a break Know how to recognize the symptoms of repetitive motion injuries Work in a comfortable position Take short stretch breaks when repeatedly performing the same task Gently stretch the parts of the body you have been using Change your position following a break If possible rotate the tasks you perform during the day Always maintain good posture Continuously bend or twist your wrists Wor
16. leaving the finisher have no more than five Breeding stock should be moved in groups of no more than three to five pigs Zoonotic diseases No matter what stage of pork production you are working with you should always be concerned with zoonotic diseases illnesses that can be transmitted between humans and animals Included among the diseases from exposure to zoonotic agents in swine are brucellosis Erysipelothrix Streptococcus suis meningitis ascariasis swine influenza scabies ringworm leptospirosis salmonellosis and cysticercosis You can contract a zoonotic disease by being bitten by an infected animal having contact with or ingesting contaminated bodily fluids or feces or disposing of the infected tissue To reduce your risk of exposure use basic hygiene and sanitation practices such as promptly treating or disposing of infected animals e properly disposing of infected tissues properly cleaning of contaminated sites e correctly using personal protective equipment such as eye protection and gloves as necessary to prevent disease from entering through the eyes and open wounds e washing and covering any cuts or scrapes that you may get and e washing your hands often 73 Dead animal removal When an animal has died in its pen or stall it is important to remove the animal as soon as possible The longer the pig is dead the harder it is to move When moving a dead pig be careful not to strain or pull musc
17. locked out often results in serious injuries like amputations fractures and even death Do e Lockout equipment before repairing it remove the keys e Lock the main switch e Test the controls to make sure they are definitely inoperative e Replace all guards on the machinery after servicing e Follow the operation s safety procedures for lockout tagout Don t e Leave keys in the locks e Forget to test the controls to ensure they are definitely inoperative 66 Pork Production Safety System Pig Behavior and Characteristics Staying safe when working with pigs requires you to always be aware of the pig s behavior and understand what that behavior means In this lesson you will learn the general behaviors and characteristics of all pigs at different stages of the lifecycle and how important it is to your safety to understand pig behavior and characteristics In pork production more injuries occur during direct contact with the animal than in any other activity Learning pig behavior will enable you to handle pigs without the need for excessive force thus reducing the risk of injury to yourself and to the pigs Always be aware of your surroundings and your body position in relationship to the pigs This will allow you to safely handle both individual pigs and groups of pigs Vocabulary A boar is an intact uncastrated male pig Boars are unpredictable and become very large and powerful Farrowing is the normal delivery o
18. other respiratory problems to be cautious since direct exposure can cause bronchiospasms These medical conditions are unique and different for each of the reproductive hormones so be sure to review the MSDS sheet for the specific drugs used in your facility In addition to the reproductive hormones there may be other products used in facilities that could potentially have a medical impact One such example is a group of drugs called corticosteroids examples include Dexamethasone and Predef 2x They are known to disrupt pregnancy in animals Key points e Learn what drugs used in the pork facility can cause reproductive problems in employees if they come into contact with them Understand what the hazards are for employees if they come into contact with these drugs e Familiarize yourself with the process of using the Hazardous Chemical Disclosure form concerning the reproductive hormone used in your facility 85 Do Learn what drugs used in pork production can cause reproductive problems through accidental contact before signing a Hazardous Chemical Disclosure Form Read MSDS for drugs being handled Understand that reproductive hormones contain drugs dangerous to all employees Work with drugs that may cause you respiratory problems Work with reproductive hormones without wearing impermeable gloves Needlessly expose yourself or female employees to reproductive hormones 86 Pork Production Safety System
19. quickly kill a person Heat stroke occurs when the body has used up all its water and salt The symptoms of heat stroke are easier to notice than other heat related illnesses and include dry hot skin sometimes red in color slowed down or no sweating irrational behavior loss of consciousness and in some cases convulsions Staying safe in extreme heat can be a manageable task if the guidelines designed to keep you safe are followed To stay safe in warm temperatures do the following e drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated e wear lightweight and light colored clothing Light colored clothing 35 will reflect heat away from the body However do not where shorts when working in hog facilities during hot weather e slow down when doing work in the heat When it is hot and humidity is high the body s cooling system has to work harder and cannot properly keep up if you are working too fast in extreme heat e take periodic breaks in cool shady locations e don t try to get a tan while working in the sun If sunburn develops it is harder for the body s cooling system to work e take notice of the early warnings of heat stress including headache heavy perspiration high pulse rate and heavy breathing and take a break immediately if these symptoms occur Key points Drink plenty of water to keep body fluid levels up e When working in extreme cold or extreme heat take occasional breaks away from the
20. section will define a confined space so you will know if you are working in one and explain the proper working procedure is within a confined space There are 2 types of confined spaces non permit required and permit required In this lesson we will look at permit required confined spaces Vocabulary Asphyxiation is a condition that causes unconsciousness or death from lack of adequate oxygen the presence of noxious agents or other obstruction to normal breathing A lockout is the act of disabling the use of a downed piece of equipment by securing it with chains or padlocks A permit required confined space is an area that has adequate size and configuration for an employee to enter has limited means of access is not designed for continual employee occupancy and it may contain physical or chemical hazards Two examples of confined spaces that contain hazards are manure pits and grain bins A non permit confined space is similar to permit required space but does not contain atmospheric hazards and does not have any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm Two examples are attics and crawl spaces A respirator is a device worn over the nose and mouth to help prevent toxic gases and or dust from entering the respiratory tract A self contained breathing apparatus SCBA is a type of respirator that must be used in confined spaces or other areas considered immediately dangerous to health and life Tagout is the
21. starting by never holding a finger on the trigger while carrying a plugged in tool keeping tools sharp clean and or lubricated following instructions in the user s manual keeping good footing and maintaining good balance whenever using the tool wearing the proper apparel and tucking in any loose clothing or drawstrings and removing any jewelry that can become caught in moving parts removing all damaged portable electric tools from service and tagging them Do Not Use using power tools for their intended purposes only and maintaining them in safe working condition keeping all required guards and safety devices on tools and machinery in place and functioning properly and making sure all electric powered hand tools are equipped with a constant pressure switch that will shut off the power when the pressure is released any positive On Off control switches or lock on devices must be removed prior to first use 56 Pork Production Safety System Key points Do Use hand and power tools for their intended purposes only Maintain tools in safe working condition Keep all required guards and safety devices on tools in place Inspect electrical tools regularly report faulty equipment to your supervisor Use hand and power tools for their intended purposes only Maintain them in safe working condition Keep all required guards and safety devices on tools in place Use faulty equipment Attempt to repair a t
22. the correct protective clothing and equipment for the job e Wear hard or steel toed work boots or shoes at all times e Turn off tools before removing safety goggles Inspect eye protection before wearing it e Use eye protection and gloves when working with a sick animal or giving a shot eyes and open wounds allow some livestock diseases to be introduced into humans Don t e Wear loose ripped or baggy clothing e Wear worn out footwear or shoes with frayed or long laces that could get caught in equipment 54 Pork Production Safety System Hand and Power Tool Safety All tools are manufactured with safety in mind but tragically they re often the cause of serious accidents Learn how to recognize the hazards associated with different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary to prevent those hazards Vocabulary Lockout is the act of disabling the use of a downed piece of equipment by securing it with chains or padlocks Tagout is the process of placing a warning tag such as Do Not Operate on a power source and a downed piece of equipment during a lockout Hand tools Hand tools are non powered yet they pose the greatest hazard when misused or improperly maintained for example in the following manner e using a screwdriver as a chisel which may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly hitting the user or other employees e using a hammer or an ax with a loose splintered or cracked
23. this happens to you earmuffs are a better choice for hearing protection Canal caps which are also referred to as semi aural devices are earplugs or pods that are attached to a lightweight headband Because they can be quickly put on and taken off and be stored around the neck they are a good choice for intermittent off and on use They aren t generally recommended for continuous long term use To insert canal caps hold the large end of the pods and swivel them to direct the tips into your ear canal openings Firmly push and wiggle the pods into your ear canals until a tight seal is obtained For many people it s helpful to pull on the outer ear while pushing on the pods Be sure not to tamper with the headband since this is the device that holds the pods in place in your ears to provide a tight seal If you have any questions about inserting canal caps or proper use of any other hearing protection be sure to ask your supervisor Hearing protection devices are labeled with a Noise Reduction Rating or NRR The higher the NRR the more noise the device will block However it is important to note that these devices are tested in ideal laboratory conditions not the conditions in a pork facility Instead of using NRR to base your decision in hearing protection on choose the device based on comfort fit and other personal needs Do not stuff cotton in your ears to block noise it will not work The noises will travel right through t
24. to get past you do not try to move or stop it with your knees 81 While moving pigs can be difficult using a sorting board to direct the pigs makes it easier Be aware of the location of your co workers so you do not direct the pigs toward them Instead work together to move the animals There are several different types of sorting devices see the Pork Quality Assurance manual for a description of sorting devices When using a sorting board keep it in front and away from your body especially your knees To anchor the panels use the ground or floor not your knees Loading and unloading trucks is a stressful time for animals and humans Remain calm and only load small manageable groups Resist the urge to move too many pigs at one time Use sorting panels properly to help ensure safe and effective animal handling The more stress the pig goes through the harder it will be to handle and the higher the risk of injury to you Key points e Know the characteristics of animal vision and hearing Know safe livestock handling practices for the different stages of pork production Do Know characteristics of animal vision and hearing e Maintain housekeeping e Touch animals gently e Avoid the kicking region when approaching an animal e Maintain even lighting Don t Expose animal to loud noises and quick movements e Clutter alleyways and walking surfaces e Enter a small enclosed area with an animal unless you ha
25. to remove most small harmful particles of dust from the air you breathe before they reach the lungs Two strap dust masks are recommended when pressure washing or cleaning stalls and walkways with high dust concentrations Hazards are sources of danger The term hearing protection refers to earplugs protective earmuffs or canal caps i e earplugs attached to a lightweight headband that should be worn in high noise areas A respirator is a device worn over the nose and mouth to help prevent toxic gases and or dust from entering the respiratory tract Using PPE When using PPE you should wear the equipment for the entire time you are working on the task requiring it If you take PPE on and off while doing a task you will not be adequately protected Know how to correctly wear the PPE and make sure that it fits properly to prevent injuries 53 Keep your PPE clean and in good shape and check it for damage each time your wear it If you notice it has become damaged or worn inform your supervisor so it can be fixed or replaced Store your PPE in the proper storage location when you are done using it Never store the equipment in areas with chemicals that are being used or stored Key points e Personal protective equipment PPE can help you do your job safely e PPE is designed to protect you from loud noises dust chemicals and other substances that can harm your health either now or in the future Do e Always wear
26. Power Washing and Tractor Safety Working in a hog facility will require you to work with various pieces of equipment that can be very dangerous if you are not aware of how to use them safely This lesson will focus on how to use and what precautions to take with powerwashing tractors and other equipment Vocabulary Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless highly toxic gas that can build up quickly in poorly ventilated structures and result in death A power washer or pressure washer generates tremendous force and is used to clean large areas such as hog barns Repetitive motion injury is human injury that results from repeating the same physical motion over and over for an extended period of time Equipment and tools must only be used by authorized personnel who have been properly trained to operate it Training must cover Operation including adjusting and servicing Potential hazards How to deal with injuries or accidents Description of safeguards and required PPE Need for lockout tagout if any Procedure for reporting problems including missing or damaged guards Managers supervisors are responsible for the oversight of machinery and tool usage including ensuring that employees understand the operation components and mechanical motions of the equipment They are responsible for ensuring functional guards are in place to protect the operator and others in the area from The machinery and its moving parts Flying chips or sparks
27. a to improve the average conditions of the air To prevent acute respiratory illness due to gasses do e Dilute toxic gases by maintaining proper ventilation and bringing fresh air from the outside into the contaminated area by using fans and opening curtains doors and windows e Protect yourself with a supplied air respirator if you must enter an area in which you suspect hazardous levels of a toxic gas e Make sure your respirator fits properly To prevent chronic respiratory illness due to dust don t e Wear a dust mask that doesn t fit you properly 51 To prevent acute respiratory illness due to gasses don t e Enter an area in which hazardous levels of a toxic gas are suspected e Wear a respirator that doesn t fit you properly e Wear a respirator that has not been approved for the specific hazard you are protecting yourself against e Enter a confined space without authorization alone or without proper equipment 52 Pork Production Safety System Personal Protective Equipment Everyday in the hog facility you wear some sort of personal protective equipment or PPE Whether you think about it or not every piece of equipment you wear serves the purpose of keeping you safe PPE includes steel toe boots e gloves e safety glasses and goggles e overalls e face masks e respirators e ear plugs or earmuffs e knee pads e back supports Vocabulary A dust mask is a type of filtration device used
28. building and call 911 or your local fire department to summon help Key points Do e Keep the worksite clean and orderly e Minimize fire hazards e Know what to do if a fire breaks out e Know how to use fire extinguishers e Keep your work area clean and uncluttered e Make sure all stairs aisles and exits are free from obstructions e Report potential fire hazards to your supervisor Comply with all flammable warnings Keep flammable liquids in labeled fireproof containers 31 Don t Store fuel in food or drink containers e Re fuel engines inside buildings or when hot or running Store compressed gases near a heat source 32 Pork Production Safety System Extreme Temperature Safety Although many times we see extreme hot and cold weather conditions as mere inconveniences they can present dangerous conditions to those working in them for long periods of time This lesson will cover how to prevent cold and heat related sickness or injuries how to recognize symptoms of cold and heat related sickness and injury and how to react if you or a co worker is showing the beginning signs of heat or cold related sickness or injury Most environments in a hog facility are climate controlled so you can become more susceptible to stress and illness moving between buildings in extreme temperatures This can lead to serious health conditions and could be fatal You can prevent serious illness by learn
29. cates flammability Yellow will inform you of the reactivity of the chemical if it is mixed improperly or due to temperature and pressure changes White lists specific hazardous conditions and information On the Hazard Communication Labels you will find a number indicating the hazard level of the chemical The numbers are on a scale of 0 to 4 with 0 indicating a minimal hazard 1 is a slight hazard 2 is a moderate hazard 3 is a serious hazard and 4 indicates a severe or life threatening hazard if handled All hazardous materials must be labeled All hazardous materials must have a Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS e Employers must keep a current log of all hazardous chemicals used in their operation e Identify and label all portable containers e Obtain MSDS for all chemicals in the workplace e Maintain an inventory of all controlled products used in the workplace 60 Pork Production Safety System Replace labels as necessary Address leaking chemicals and spills immediately Read the product label and MSDS before using any chemicals for the first time Remove labels Handle chemicals without appropriate personal protective equipment PPE Use a chemical if it has no label or MSDS Mix chemicals unless specifically directed by the chemical supplier Trust appearance as an indicator of safety 61 Confined Space Program Working in the hog facility may require you to work in confined spaces This
30. ction methane ammonia carbon dioxide carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide It is important to be able to identify these gases as well as understand the sources of the gases and what the effects of overexposure are to humans and animals Understanding and identifying the sources and effects of hazardous exposures will help you prevent hazardous exposure to the gases and could save your life Methane is released during decomposition and agitation of manure It is colorless odorless and is usually a nontoxic gas The only time methane can be toxic to humans and animals is when it gathers in amounts large enough to cause oxygen levels to decrease Explosion is the key risk with methane Ammonia is another gas released in hog operations It too is released during the decomposition and agitation of manure Ammonia is a pungent colorless noxious gas easily detected even in small concentrations and can cause respiratory irritation Over exposure to ammonia even in extremely low concentrations can be detected and identified In humans low levels of ammonia can irritate the eyes throat and lungs Ammonia concentrations as low as 0 5 percent can cause suffocation For hogs ammonia concentrations at non lethal levels can cause symptoms such as sneezing increased salivation and loss of appetite Chronic exposure can result in increased susceptibility to respiratory diseases Carbon dioxide is released during the respiration of animals It is
31. cutting board A sow is a female hog that has had at least one litter of pigs Weaning is the process of removing a piglet from its mother 71 Injury statistics The majority of accidents on a hog farm occur during human animal interaction In fact one three year study showed that more than 99 000 non fatal livestock related injuries occurred in the United States during that period It s important that you pay close attention to the potential dangers of working with pigs and that you always use correct animal handling techniques Attention to these dangers is a key to your personal safety Pigs are intelligent and perceptive Your attitude is crucial in preventing injuries to you and to the pigs you handle Learn to respect and appreciate animal behavior to help you avoid accidents and injuries Policies have been created to help keep the workplace safe and healthy and with your cooperation safety of the workplace can be improved for you and your co workers You are also encouraged to offer ideas to improve safety and required to follow all of the safety rules and procedures your facility has in place Hog s eyesight A pig has a range of vision of almost 360 degrees This fact dictates the way you should load and unload pigs to make the move faster and easier for you It s best if loading ramps and handling chutes have solid sidewalls to prevent the animals from seeing distractions outside the chute Moving objects and peo
32. d injury to yourself or the animals Moving sorting and transporting hogs Working with nursery pigs will require you to sort and move pigs from pen to pen Lifting the larger pigs in the nursery and moving them from pen to pen exposes you to the risk of back injury To prevent such an injury from occurring be sure to follow safe lifting procedures Lifting pigs can be a very difficult task as they can sometimes weigh just as much if not more than you When lifting pigs there are specific guidelines you should follow For pigs weighing less than 40 pounds do the following 1 position yourself along side and to the rear of the pig you are going to be lifting 2 secure your grip on the outside hind leg opposite to where you are standing with the hand you are using to lift and use your other hand to hold the other hind leg if the pig is heavy 3 as you lift use the front legs of the pig to help support some of the weight until the pig is in a vertical position and 4 lift the pig straight up to clear any gates Lift with your legs and arms and not with your back When leaving the finisher market hogs will weigh an average of 260 pounds Loading and unloading such heavy animals can result in human and animal injury if correct technique is not used The pig will most likely weigh more than you and possesses great strength and agility so it s a very bad idea to challenge a pig when it is trying to get past you If an animal attempts
33. d co workers on health and safety issues Maintaining a safe work environment In a safe environment safety is everyone s concern including family co workers visitors and you You can protect yourself by simply being aware of your actions and your surroundings Most injuries occur during routine chores when people get focused on the task and lose sight of the hazards around them Ask for help if a task might be more than you can handle alone Staying healthy is important to ensure you are able to safely and effectively perform your job Maintain your health by following these steps e take short rest breaks while working and drink water throughout the day to prevent fatigue or dehydration coffee and soft drinks do a poor job of re hydrating the body Pork Production Safety System eat a well balanced diet and get plenty of sleep and e wear the proper personal protective equipment PPE for routine chores and for specific jobs protective footwear and close fitting clothing are important for everyday work specific job related PPE will be discussed in future lessons Working with power tools can be very dangerous and lead to serious injury if they re not used correctly Before using any type of equipment it is important to read the operator s manual to make sure you are using it correctly and to prevent injury If there is equipment you have not been trained to use do not use it until you have been properly trained It
34. d the power source to prevent someone else from trying to turn the broken piece of equipment on 4 After completing these steps safely release any stored energy in the equipment 5 After checking that all others are out of the way attempt to restart the equipment to make sure it won t move during servicing 65 In pork production lockout tagout is done on equipment that is electric hydraulic pneumatic or is subject to the effects of gravity All equipment using a power source is therefore required to be locked out or tagged out when being serviced Examples of this type of equipment are lights grinders heaters fans PTOs augers and feed mixers Your employer will issue lockout tagout devices to those in the facility who have demonstrated they can properly perform such procedures If you are not certified to operate or service certain pieces of equipment for both your safety and to prevent damage to the equipment do not attempt to fix them Key points e Locking out is intended to prevent the unexpected start up or energizing of machinery and equipment during service and maintenance operations e Tagout should only be used with lockout unless locking out the equipment is impossible e Locking out and tagging power at its source is important while repairing or adjusting machinery because it ensures that power does not reach the machinery e Accidents which occur because machinery that is being repaired and not
35. d to know about are e The Right to Know Law e Lockout Tagout procedures Confined Spaces precautions e Respiratory Protection requirements and e Emergency Action Plan requirements 58 Pork Production Safety System Be informed Manufacturers are required to place hazard communication labels under the Right to Know Law on all chemical containers They contain the chemical s name the manufacturer s name and address and a hazard warning for the chemical Manufacturers are required to provide an MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet under the Right to Know Law with every chemical It gives information about the chemical its potential hazards and how to safely work with it The Right to Know Law under OSHA is the right of employees to know what chemicals they may come into contact with the chemicals effects on the body and how to safely handle them It covers and includes MSDS and Hazardous Communication Labels MSDS Every hazardous chemical animal drug and vaccine you will use on the farm is required to have an MSDS provided by the manufacturer The MSDS will tell you detailed information about the chemical you may come into contact with such as potential health hazards and how to handle the chemical safety The law requires the information found on MSDS labels be kept on the farm When you have a chance take the opportunity to review this material The more informed you are about a chemical or product the safer you
36. e heavy items Don t e Use your back muscles to do the lifting e Try to lift an item that is too heavy or awkward e Twist your body while carrying an object Attempt team lifting without proper coordination One individual needs to be responsible for control of the action If one worker lifts too soon shifts the load or lowers it improperly either that person or the person working with the person may be injured Rotor Avoiding Slips Trips and Falls Slips trips and falls present many dangers to those working in the hog facility It is important to understand why preventing these situations is important and what actions to take to prevent slips trips and falls Vocabulary A slippery zone is an area that can result in unstable footing due to the collection of water urine manure or other substances Prevention Trying to prevent falls is not a matter you should take lightly as falls are the leading cause of injury in agriculture Not only can falls cause serious injury but they can also lead to death The best way for you to prevent this kind of injury is by staying alert If you are in a distracted state such as being in a hurry tired angry or upset sick or have alcohol or drugs in your system you must not perform jobs that may lead to a slip trip or fall Slipping on something in the facility is one common way in which you may fall To prevent these slips from occurring you should take one or more of the foll
37. e is good news for you Follow these fire prevention and safety guidelines so you can keep yourself and your fellow employees safe from fires Vocabulary An Emergency Action Plan is a written procedure detailing how to announce rescue and evacuate in case of fire noxious gas leak natural disaster chemical spill or other such emergency The term flammable means something is capable of igniting and burning rapidly Housekeeping is the routine care maintenance and cleaning for a farm to function safely and properly Methane is a colorless odorless flammable gas that is primarily an explosion hazard The National Fire Protection Agency or NFPA provides information about fire safety Housekeeping Practicing good housekeeping helps prevent fires including the following measures e removing weeds and brush from an area of at least 20 feet from all sides of the building e keeping work areas clean and clutter free making sure all stairs aisles and exits are free of obstructions and properly storing equipment when it is not in use 28 Pork Production Safety System Report any observed fire hazards to your supervisor immediately Electrical motors and appliances are a significant source of fire hazards and should be checked frequently for exposed wiring broken insulation improper grounding improper installation missing thermal overload relays or cutouts To prevent fires and accidents from occurring be sure to resp
38. e is not obligated to perform this specific task Gloves Always wear impermeable gloves when working with these drugs to protect your skin from contact If the drug accidentally comes into contact with your skin immediately wash the affected area with soap and water MSDS Your employer should always direct you to the MSDS sheet for the specific reproductive hormones used in your facility This will inform you of any other risks or treatments associated with that drug If you have questions about your safety after reading the MSDS for any compound used in your facility you should consult with a physician to assess any specific health risks that you may have 84 Pork Production Safety System To ensure you understand the safety concerns related to compounds used in your facility and that you are confident in your ability to work with them your employer will have you sign a Hazardous Chemical Disclosure Form This form will be specific to the chemicals used in the facility Women who do not feel comfortable working with hormones do not have to sign the form nor are they obligated to perform the specific task Some of the reproductive hormones containing drugs used in a hog facility are dangerous to all employees If employees suffer from medical conditions listed on the MSDS they may be exempted from performing tasks involving that drug For example the MSDS sheet for Lutalyse and Prostamate warns employees with asthma and bronchial and
39. e of surroundings and body position in relationship to pigs Know and understand a pig s behavior characteristics e Exercise caution in working with hogs Don t e Enter a pig s flight zone outside its range of vision e Use excessive force in working with pigs 70 Pork Production Safety System Safe Animal Handling General Lack of knowledge of animal characteristics and working in poor animal handling facilities without the proper knowledge of animal behavior can be a lethal combination Always be on guard when working with or around animals Vocabulary A boar is an intact uncastrated male pig Boars are unpredictable and become very large and powerful Breeding is the sexual activity between a male and female pig that may result in conception and the bearing of offspring Farrowing is the normal delivery of one or more live stillborn or mummified dried up and shriveled pigs on or around the 114th day of pregnancy The flight zone is the nearly 360 degree area around a hog that the animal can see Intersecting one area of the flight zone will cause the animal to move in the opposite direction A gilt is a female pig that has not yet delivered a litter of pigs A hog is a pig of any size The nursery is a place for housing pigs after weaning A piglet is a young pig of either sex A sorting board is a plank of wood or plastic large enough to shield a person from a hog s body Also called a cutting panel or
40. e permit required entry supervisor must e Understand the potential hazards Determine if acceptable entry conditions currently exist Verify that rescue methods are available Monitor entry and work conditions so they remain consistent with the permit 64 Pork Production Safety System Lockout Tagout Program Lockout and tagout procedures should be performed to protect yourself when servicing equipment This lesson will outline the purpose of lockout tagout how to perform lockout tagout and what equipment requires lockout tagout procedures Vocabulary A hydraulic machine or tool is something operated moved or effected by means of water or other liquid Lockout is the act of disabling the use of a downed piece of equipment by securing it with chains or padlocks A pneumatic machine or tool is a device moved or operated by air pressure Tagout is the process of placing a warning tag such as Do Not Operate on a power source and a downed piece of equipment during a lockout Service safety Servicing equipment is a common task on the farm however to decrease the risk of injury when working with machinery there are a series of steps you need to follow before starting maintenance 1 Before beginning any repairs shut down the power source to the piece of equipment you will be working on 2 Next isolate the equipment with padlocks and chains 3 Place a warning tag such as Do Not Operate on both the equipment an
41. earmuff band on top of your head rather than in the back of your head or under your chin If you wear glasses the seal of the earmuffs will be broken and they will be less effective in providing noise protection Talk to your supervisor if you do wear glasses about using a different form of hearing protection Finally make sure your earmuffs stay clean You can clean cushions with a damp cloth or a paper towel Foam earplugs expand and will adjust and conform to fit your ears Some foam earplugs are disposable while others can be washed and re used Foam earplugs are small and can easily fit in a pocket where they will be easy to use when you need them 42 Pork Production Safety System To insert most foam earplugs simply roll and squeeze them lengthwise with your fingers With one hand reach over the head and pull on the top of the ear to open the ear canal Once the canal is open insert the earplug and hold it there until it seals It is extremely important to keep your earplugs clean If they become dirty or contaminated and are put in your ear they can lead to infections When inserting earplugs be sure your hands are clean Clean your earplugs with soap and water However be sure the earplugs are completely dry before placing them in your ears again Disposable earplugs should be thrown away when they become hard damaged or no longer protect you from noise Some people develop significant build ups of wax due to wearing earplugs If
42. ect and comply with all flammable warnings If you smoke do not do so in designated no smoking areas or in any other area in which flammable and combustible materials are stored Make sure flammable substances are kept in fireproof containers are properly labeled and are stored in safety cabinets approved for flammable materials Welding and cutting Special safety measures must be taken to prevent fire when welding or using a torch to cut materials Do not weld or use a cutting torch if you have not received the appropriate training to do so If you have been trained remember to inspect welding and cutting equipment daily Check to make sure the non current carrying metal parts of electrical welding equipment and other circuits are grounded Do not use fuel gas oxygen welding and cutting equipment unless it has a reverse flow check valve between the torch and the regulator Store compressed gas cylinders in a secure upright position Before starting to weld check to ensure that you and any other workers in the area are shielded from welding flash sparks and slag Protect combustible materials in the surrounding area from heat molten metal and other ignition sources Fire emergency preparation It s important to understand what to do in the case of an emergency before one occurs in the facility There are several information sheets specific to your facility to tell you who to contact or what to do if a fire emergency occurs 29
43. eeees 17 Safe LIMINO aese e E E eens 20 Avoiding Slips Trips and Falls eseeseststeeseeeeeeeeeteteeeees 22 Electrical SafQty ssecsccccsssescscssessssessecssseastacennsesecseceaseccsonsnaseasoscenas 24 Fire Prevention and Safety ccccscscscssscecececceeessetetseeeeeees 28 Extreme Temperature Safety 0 cccsscscscssssecsceccecessstetsteeeeees 33 Hearing Health and Safety uu csssccscssssececeesecessstetseeeeeees 38 Respiratory Health and Safety escssscesececeeeeeseteeeeeeeeees 45 Personal Protective Equipment es eeeseseeseseeceeeteeeeeeeeees 53 Hand and Power Tool Safety csscsscssssscsseecececeseeseseeeeees 55 Hazard Communication PrograM sssssesessssssesessesesesssseseseree 58 Confined Space Program sesessesssessssssessssesesssesseseneesesesessesesess 62 Lockout Tagout Program sssesssssssessessesessesssesssresesreseeseserseesess 65 Pig Behavior and Characteristics cccssseceeeeeeeeeeeeeees 67 Safe Animal Handling General ceeceeeseeseteteeeeees 71 Safe Animal Handling Breeding eeeeeceseceeeeeeeseteteees 75 Safe Animal Handling Farrowing and Weaning 77 Safe Animal Handling Nursery and Finishing 81 Women s Health SSueS niiacnnindnintmnionnenmunciamn 83 Power Washing and Tractor Safety cccsesseecsetseseeeeeees 87 Introduction to Safety and Our Safety Program Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States and leads
44. esses associated with the lungs and or breathing A self contained breathing apparatus SCBA is a type of respirator that must be used in confined spaces or other areas considered immediately dangerous to health and life Toxic means poisonous to the body Respiratory hazards In swine confinement buildings there are two basic forms of respiratory hazards It is important to identify how certain hazards on your operation have the potential to harm or injury you The first are long term or chronic hazards that affect the body slowly and over time For example long term hazardous exposure to dust may result in conditions such as asthma or chronic bronchitis Inhalation of very small amounts of dust alone is not necessarily harmful Dust becomes harmful when organic material such as feed fecal mater hair viral material and bacterial components such as endotoxins become attached When these materials enter the lung a respiratory health hazard is possible All these materials are inevitably found in pork production facilities The second basic type of respiratory hazard is acute or immediate hazardous exposure Acute or immediate hazard exposures affect health as soon as people come into contact with the hazard The most common types of respiratory hazards on a pork operation are gases The effect of acute hazard exposure to gasses can be death 47 Five important gases There are five gases released during normal pork produ
45. f one or more live stillborn or mummified dried up and shriveled pigs on or around the 114th day of pregnancy The flight zone is the nearly 360 degree area around a hog that the animal can see A gilt is a female pig that has not yet delivered a litter of pigs Hogs are pigs of any size The nursery is a place for housing pigs following weaning A piglet is a young pig of either sex The point of balance is the location from the middle of the pig to the front shoulder Donor A sorting board is a plank of wood or plastic large enough to shield a person from a hog s body Also called a cutting panel or cutting board A sow is female hog that has had at least one litter of pigs Weaning is removing the piglet from its mother Behavior characteristics Pigs have a low center of gravity which makes them quick in small spaces and capable of knocking a person down Like a small low to the ground football running back pigs can run through small openings move very quickly to an open space and elude people Pigs would rather run than fight They have a defensive perimeter called a flight zone The pig uses this defense mechanism to distance itself from people and objects that it s not familiar with or feels threatened by A pig s range of vision is nearly 360 degrees with the only blind area directly behind the pig When a person or object penetrates the pig s flight zone the animal will move in an opposite direction If
46. fessional emergency medical help All accidental injections must be reported to your supervisor immediately Understand the hazards and precautions of working in a farrowing and weaning operation Understand how to safely administer medications to pigs and what to do in case of accidental needle sticks e Wash sows in small groups to reduce potential injury e Moving pigs in small manageable groups and push the leader not the pigs at the back of the group e Take advantage of scheduled breaks to avoid fatigue e Physically alter how you perform any repetitive activity such as by changing hands and gently stretch your hands during short breaks e Keep your wrist in a neutral position e Read the package insert label and MSDS for any medications administered to the pigs and use the product only as directed on the package Immediately report all accidental needle sticks to your supervisor 79 Place your hands between a pig and the side of the stall Carry a syringe and needle in your pockets Expose animal to loud noises and quick movements Clutter alleyways and walking surfaces Enter a small enclosed area with an animal unless you have an escape route Overcrowd pens or chutes 80 Pork Production Safety System Safe Animal Handling Nursery and Finishing The nursery in a hog operation possesses its own unique set of hazards including moving sorting transporting pigs and specific precautions to avoi
47. g in sows that are close to their farrowing date Oxytocin may be injected to a sow while she is farrowing to help increase the strength of her uterine contractions to aid her in delivery PG600 is used to induce heat in non cycling gilts or sows after weaning 83 If altrenogest such as matrix is used in your facility it will be applied as a liquid to sows feed By administering this drug to a group of sows you are able to synchronize the group so they come into heat breed and farrow during a short time frame Although contact with these chemicals from an accidental needle stick or absorption through the skin can be dangerous to any employee it is a greater concern for female workers The reproductive hormones may disrupt women s menstrual cycles cause reproductive issues or even disrupt the normal course of a pregnancy Let s look at each of the reproductive hormones to determine the hazards each can have on pregnant women Prostaglandins such as Lutalyse Prostamate and Estrumate can lead to the abortion of a sow s pregnancy if there is an accidental exposure while the drug matrix can actually prolong pregnancy if absorbed If you look at the MSDS label for PG600 and Oxtocin you won t see any specific warnings directed toward women but since they are both reproductive hormones they should be used with caution For these reasons if a woman working in the facility does not feel comfortable handling these drugs sh
48. gases have reached a level in which they become hazardous to humans and animals it is important you know how to act to safely eliminate the gases The risk of high levels of these gases is increased during the agitation of manure To control and reduce the level of toxic gas in a hog building try to dilute the gas by maintaining proper ventilation and by bringing fresh air into the contaminated area Use fans and open curtains doors and windows to introduce fresh air into the contaminated area If you suspect there are hazardous levels of toxic gas in an area DO NOT enter the area This can only cause sickness or injury Even if you look into the area you believe is contaminated and see there are people or animals down do not enter In the situation where people are down in the room immediately contact emergency medical services according to the facilities Emergency Action Plan If you notice it is only animals that are down go directly to your supervisor and inform him or her of the problem Entering the area If for some reason you absolutely must enter an area containing hazardous levels of toxic gas protect yourself with a supplied air 49 respirator wear a harness with a lifeline and have another person that can be in contact with you standing immediately outside the area The two main types of supplied air respirators are air line respirators and self contained breathing apparatus or SCBA Personal Protective Equipment PPE
49. grams Pork Production Safety System provide a means for ongoing development and updating of safety education and training provide a means for the participation of all employees in an ongoing safety program Emergency Action Plan Response time to an accident can be decreased and further injury prevented by developing an Emergency Action Plan and making sure everyone working at the pork production facility is informed of its procedures An Emergency Action Plan covers who to notify in case of emergency what you need to say to them and what actions to take You should know who in your facility is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR and who are the first aid cardholders so you can find them quickly to help an injured person You should also learn who to should contact with questions about the emergency plan so they may be answered before an emergency situation arises Vocabulary The Emergency Action Plan is a prepared document detailing how to notify rescue and evacuate in case of fire noxious gas leak natural disaster chemical spill or other such emergency The term evacuation route refers to a drawing or text that clearly describes how a person should exit a building in case of an emergency MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets are components of the Right to Know Law Chemical manufacturers are required to provide this sheet with every chemical sold The MSDS includes information about the chemical its poten
50. he cotton and your hearing can still be compromised 43 The most important thing to remember about hearing protection is to wear it Wear your hearing protection in all noisy environments even if you are not sure of the exact decibel level of the noise Key poin Do ts Agricultural workers tend to have greater hearing loss than people in many other occupations Learn to identify the noise levels that could damage your hearing Use some form of hearing protection when you re working in a noisy environment Wear properly fitting hearing protection for all noisy jobs Stay as far away from the source of the noise as possible Refuse to wear hearing protection because you find it uncomfortable Ignore any signs that your hearing has deteriorated Remain in a noisy area for an extended period of time 44 Pork Production Safety System Respiratory Health and Safety Through this lesson you will learn about the importance of respiratory health and safety the acute and chronic respiratory hazards in hog operations the sources of respiratory hazards and the measures necessary to prevent them You will also learn about the proper use fit and care of respiratory personal protective equipment or PPE The importance of preventing exposure to respiratory hazards cannot be stressed enough People and animals can live days without food and water but only seconds without air Adherence to a company s effective respiratory hea
51. hers of a scrub or grass fire Good Housekeeping This section of the training manual will explain how to complete good housekeeping procedures to create a healthier and safer work environment Vocabulary Housekeeping is the routine care and cleaning that needs to be acted on daily for a farm to function safely and properly Routine care and cleaning Housekeeping practices in the pork facility are very similar to the housekeeping practices you would conduct in your own home Safety should always be a top priority in the hog facility By practicing good housekeeping you can create a much safer environment for everyone working there By keeping the facility clean you may also improve efficiency because it is easier to get work done in a clutter free environment Slippery floors Slippery floors can cause accidents but with proper action these conditions can be prevented If you come across a spill clean it up immediately Doing so will prevent others from possibly injuring themselves When you know there is a place where drips will occur such as below machinery or equipment place drip pans or guards to collect the fluids Debris and dust also make floors slick so keep floors clean to prevent accidents Greater precaution needs to be taken in unloading areas and alleys as they tend to be continually slippery Also known as slippery zones these areas tend to collect greater amounts of water urine or manure By spreading ba
52. ilts are in heat and exposed to boar smells they will naturally lock up and become stiff legged When this happens it becomes very difficult for you to try to move them 69 Although piglets may seem like very small and harmless animals they too have their own defense mechanism Newborn pigs have very sharp needle teeth and they will use these teeth very effectively against other pigs in the litter This is really the only defense mechanism piglets have and as a worker you will generally never become seriously injured but you can still receive cuts and abrasions from these sharp teeth Grower or finisher pigs possess many general characteristics that are applicable to all pigs They are by nature very social animals and want to be around other pigs Because of this it is easier to move pigs in small groups so they can follow others Pigs do not like to be separated from the group and will become excited or stressed if you do so and become unpredictable As a pig grows it will pose a greater physical threat to you simply because of its size When you enter a pen in the finisher facility the pigs will be curious about you and may chew on your pants or boots Key points e Learning pig behavior will enable you to handle pigs without the need for excessive force thus reducing the risk of injury to yourself and to the pigs e Always be aware of your surroundings and your body position in relationship to the pigs Do e Be awar
53. ing how to recognize the symptoms of exposure to extreme hot and cold Vocabulary A cold related injury is an injury or illness that results from working in the cold Two common examples are frostbite and hypothermia Heat related illnesses result from working in the heat Some heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very serious and can lead to death Hypothermia is a life threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it Staying safe in the cold There are two illnesses associated with extreme cold The first is frostbite Frostbite is damage to body tissue caused by the extreme cold There are many symptoms associated with frostbite you need to be aware of to recognize the illness either in yourself or a co worker Frostbite symptoms include numbness in the affected area a waxy appearance to the skin the affected skin is cold to the touch and the skin in the area becomes flushed red white yellow or blue 33 The other cold related illness is hypothermia a condition caused when the body temperature drops to bellow 95 degrees Fahrenheit Hypothermia is a very serious illness and can kill Someone who has experienced hypothermia may suffer from permanent kidney liver and pancreas damage If you or others notice numbness in the arms and legs muscle tension feeling cold and fatigued and uncontrollable shivering take immediate action and seek medical attention a
54. ing in a noisy gestation barn or other noisy area where pigs are squealing e reducing the noise at the source i e You can reduce the noise of a power washer by placing the motor outside the building or in another room 41 e moving quiet tasks outside or away from noisy equipment e spacing out the noisy tasks you must do throughout the day when possible The most important thing you can do to protect your hearing is to wear hearing protection whenever you are around loud noise Even if you have already started to lose your hearing it is important to wear hearing protection to prevent it from getting worse Remember that once your hearing is gone it is gone forever Types of hearing protection Hearing protection comes in several different styles and types It is important that the hearing protection you use is comfortable and fits correctly Keep hearing protection nearby so you will be more likely to use it Protective earmuffs earplugs and canal caps are the three main types of hearing protection Earmuffs look like stereo headphones and are used to protect your ears from loud noises Some types of earmuffs have the ability to amplify conversations so you can still wear them while talking to someone nearby If you are using earmuffs make sure the cushions fit snugly against your head keep your hair from getting between the cushions and your head and know that in most cases you will get the best protection by wearing the
55. inserted one way Don t use extension cords that have been kinked tied in a knot crushed cut or bent they may cause a short circuit fire or even electrical shock Do not use extension cords in areas that receive a lot of traffic because they can be a tripping hazard and constant traffic will wear out the insulating rubber cover If any tool gives you a slight shock or smokes and sparks when the power is turned on don t use it Notify your supervisor immediately When you unplug cords from the outlet remember to pull on the plug and not the cord 25 Proper grounding If an electrical tool doesn t state that it is double insulated then it must have a third prong on the plug This third prong or ground prong plugs your tool into ground or earth so that in the event of a malfunction the electricity will go through this ground prong to earth and bypass your body If the prong is broken or cut off you have no protection and all the electricity will go through your body A ground faultcircuit interrupter GFCI will help prevent electrocution if there is a chance you could make contact with moisture on the ground or floor while working with electrical equipment Overhead power lines Each year construction and farm workers are injured or killed by equipment accidentally making contact with overhead high voltage power lines To prevent this from happening to you preplan your job Go out to the area you plan to move large
56. intain housekeeping Don t e Sit down to collect the semen Stand too close to the boar during semen collection Position yourself between the boar and the sow during breeding 76 Pork Production Safety System Safe Animal Handling Farrowing and Weaning Although you may not realize it there are many hazards and potentially hazardous situations in the farrowing area of pork production including Fire e fire e washing moving sows e processing piglets e repetitive motion injuries e needle sticks moving sorting and transporting hogs There s always the potential for fire in the farrowing barn because supplemental heat is used to warm the piglets Make sure supplemental heat sources are properly adjusted and spaced safe distances from combustible materials Washing and moving sows Washing and moving sows creates a slipping hazard in the farrowing area Wash sows in small groups to reduce potential injury to you and them Before bringing sows into the wash area make sure it is sturdy enough hold the animals that will be washed When you enter the wash area be aware of your position so you do not get pushed or stepped on by the sows Pigs like to move in groups and follow the leader Take advantage of this by moving the pigs in small manageable groups and push the leader not the pigs at the back of the group Processing piglets Processing young piglets can also lead to injury if you are not careful
57. ion needed to do their job safely providing employees with appropriate personal protective equipment PPE and training them on how to use and maintain it properly making sure adequate first aid supplies are provided and that employees know where to find them e ensuring that traffic routes entrances and exits to buildings confined spaces and other work areas are safe and e safely handling transporting and storing hazardous products such as chemicals and fuel The safety responsibilities of SUPERVISORS include e making sure hazards are identified and proper steps are taken to control risks understanding workplace health and safety practices and ensuring that they are met e inspecting work areas and correcting unsafe conditions or unsafe behaviors before they lead to an accident understanding and implementing emergency procedures and making sure workers are properly trained and that they follow safe work procedures The safety responsibilities of all EMPLOYEES include understanding and complying with workplace health and safety practices e following safe work procedures e using safety equipment machine guards safety devices and personal protective equipment reporting unsafe acts and workplace hazards accidents near accidents injuries and illnesses immediately e working and acting safely while helping others to work and act safely and e cooperating with employers owners supervisors an
58. is in a stall it is very important to be aware of the sow s movements and the position of your hands If the sow jumps and catches your hand between the stall and her body your hand or fingers could get crushed without warning Boars are known to become aggressive During the breeding process 75 a boar may become aggressive when it is having trouble locking up with a sow during the semen collection process as well as when it dismounts You will also notice the boar becoming more aggressive when coming into contact with another boar or if for some reason he becomes instinctively protective When the boar and sow are breeding be sure to never position yourself between them Moving animals Key points Be careful when moving the sows into the breeding area You will again have direct contact while moving them restraining pigs and possibly administering some injections during this stress inducing time Be cautious to reduce the risk of back and neck strains or slips and falls which are common at this time Use sorting boards plan ahead and develop an escape route if it becomes necessary to quickly get out of the area Understand and prepare for the dangers present in a hog breeding operation Know where to position yourself during semen collection and during artificial insemination to avoid injury Do e Keep pens clean and dry e Position yourself alongside and behind a boar during mounting and semen collection e Ma
59. is never a good idea to use power tools when you are upset or angry Simply take some time to cool down and regain your composure before using power tools To prevent hand injuries always be aware of where you place your hands as you are working Be extremely careful and watchful of your hand position when opening and closing gates working with devices to open and close building curtains operating any type of machinery with winches such as an adjustable ramp working with augers and working with hogs Your hands are very susceptible to injury when opening or closing gates or using a sorting board For example unexpected hog movements can cause a gate or sorting board to jam against a stationary object injuring fingers and hands Be especially careful of your hands when moving from room to room in the facility When you open a door you are creating a negative pressure that can cause the door to slam shut By staying alert and always being aware of your hand position you can prevent an injury from occurring Reporting procedures When accidents do happen in the hog facility it is important to under stand how to accurately report them It is everyone s responsibility to keep a watchful eye on the workplace to notice things that could be potential hazards The Safety Assessment Checklist is our guide to maintaining a safe workplace If there is ever a time when you notice something does not meet the standards set in the checkli
60. k from an awkward position Reach above shoulder level again and again Use your hands to push pound or in some manner exert strong force Grip tools that dig into your palm Ignore the symptoms of repetitive motion injuries Safe Lifting In a hog facility you are required to lift animals and other objects on a daily basis You risk injury if you do not follow correct lifting procedures This lesson will help you prevent many injuries associated with lifting by emphasizing the importance of correct lifting and teaching you the correct technique for lifting animals and objects Vocabulary A hog cart is a mechanical device used for the safe removal of dead animals from barns Lifting technique Back injuries can be very painful and can cause lifelong problems Back and other lifting related injuries can result from activities such as lifting heavy bags of feed carrying dead animals moving feeders and gates for cleaning or moving power washers from building to building You can help prevent back related injuries by using the correct lifting technique When lifting something lift with your legs not your back and try to keep your back as straight as possible to prevent injury Tucking your chin in as you lift will help keep your back straight Bend your knees not your waist to pick up a heavy object Finally avoid lifting objects above chest high Lifting pigs can be a very difficult task as they can sometimes weigh just as m
61. les Never try to remove a dead animal from the facility without some sort of assistance and if available use mechanical devices like a hog cart or hand truck to help remove the dead animal If you do not have access to a mechanical device use a humane snare or rope to remove the animal Even with the help of these devices never try to remove a large dead animal by yourself find a co worker to assist Key points e Know the characteristics of animal vision and hearing e Limit the size of the group of pigs when moving them Know how to avoid zoonotic disease and how to treat exposure to zoonotic diseases Do Know characteristics of animal vision and hearing e Maintain housekeeping Touch animals gently e Avoid the kicking region when approaching an animal e Maintain even lighting Don t Expose animal to loud noises and quick movements e Clutter alleyways and walking surfaces e Enter a small enclosed area with an animal unless you have an escape route e Overcrowd pens or chutes 74 Pork Production Safety System Safe Animal Handling Breeding Handling animals during breeding can result in high numbers of injuries These injuries may occur for three main reasons first all the tasks being performed put you in close contact with the pigs second the pigs are very large and third the workplace is tight Depending on what type of breeding your facility practices different hazards will be present In natu
62. loud noises a worker or animal may be exposed to that can result in hearing loss If you have been exposed to high noise levels on a farm for a number of years chances are you have already lost some of your hearing This type of hearing loss which is called noise induced hearing loss is usually irreversible On hog farms noise induced hearing loss can result from exposure to the loud squealing of pigs or from being around noisy equipment or machinery such as tractors or large portable washers Auditory hazards can also occur away from work and since exposure to loud noise is additive hearing protection should be worn when you are exposed to loud noise in any situation Vocabulary An audiologist is a medical professional who specializes in hearing loss Auditory means associated with hearing Auditory hazards are loud noises a person or animal may be exposed to that can result in hearing loss A decibel is a unit used to measure the loudness of sound A hazard is a source of danger Hazard zones are dangerous or hazardous areas Hearing protection is personal protective equipment PPE such as earplugs protective earmuffs or canal caps earplugs attached to a lightweight headband 38 Pork Production Safety System Personal protective equipment or PPE is equipment used to protect you from hazards Examples of PPE are safety glasses or goggles earmuffs or earplugs back supports kneepads and dusk masks or other respirat
63. lth and safety program can be the difference between life and death It is crucial to your health and well being that you have a complete understanding of the possible respiratory hazards you may be exposed to on the farm As with all other areas of the health and safety program it is your responsibility to identify the cause and effect of hazards You are also responsible for identifying preventative measures to protect yourself and your co workers from injury illness or death Vocabulary An acute hazard is one that can affect your health as soon as you come into contact with the hazardous substance Ammonia is a colorless gas with a sharp distinctive odor that can irritate eyes throat and lungs even at low levels Asphyxiation is unconsciousness or death resulting from a lack of adequate oxygen the presence of noxious agents or other obstruction to normal breathing Carbon dioxide is a heavy colorless gas that can result in panting dizziness and even death at high concentrations 45 Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless highly toxic gas that can build up quickly in poorly ventilated structures and result in death A chronic hazard refers to a long term hazard that affects the body slowly and over time resulting in long term health effects A confined space has adequate size and configuration for an employee to enter has limited means of access is not designed for continual employee occupancy and may contain
64. ng them 23 Electrical Safety Electricity is a strong invisible force that gives power to machinery lights and many other forms of equipment However electricity can be very dangerous Accidental contact with electrical currents can cause injury fire extensive damage and even death It s very important to remember that working with and around electricity requires your full attention and respect Note Do not perform any electrical work including installations and maintenance unless you are a qualified electrician Vocabulary Lockout is the act of disabling the use of a downed piece of equipment by securing it with chains or padlocks Tagout is the process of placing a warning tag such as Do Not Operate on a power source and a downed piece of equipment during a lockout Electrical All electrical work in a hog facility should only be done by someone trained and authorized to do electrical work Even then electrical accidents can be prevented by taking the appropriate precautions including e paying attention to electrical outlets and plugs when working near them especially when working with water or other liquids making sure electrical power cords are not cracked kinked or have loose connections e prohibiting employees from working around the facility without shoes with shoes that have holes in the bottoms or with wet shoes e wearing insulated footwear when working with electrical tools or appliance
65. noxide To prevent carbon monoxide build up place the motor outside the building you are working in Run the hose inside and be sure the unit is away from any air intakes so the engine exhaust isn t drawn indoors by ventilation fans If the hose isn t long enough or if you have other questions about power washing contact your supervisor 88 Tractors Pork Production Safety System Tractors are constantly used to complete work around the farm Before attempting to operate one you must have authorization and have been properly trained Key points Do Wear proper PPE for your eyes ears and hands when power washing Never aim a power washer wand at a person or animal ever rig the power washer trigger to remain in the ON position use only your hands to depress the trigger To drive a tractor you must be properly trained Wear proper PPE for your eyes ears and hands when power washing Place gasoline powered pressure washing units outside the building Get properly trained on how to drive tractors Aim a power washer wand at a person animal or electrical sources Rig the power washer trigger to remain in the ON position Treat driving a tractor like driving a car 89 Notes The National Pork Board 1776 NW 114 Street Clive IA 50325 Mailing address PO Box 9114 Des Moines IA 50306 Phone 515 223 2600 Fax 515 223 2646 E mail porkboard porkboard org NPB 03017 Web site www pork o
66. ool yourself Unplug a power tool by pulling on its cord Use dull tools 57 Hazard Communication Program Right to Know Law OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created a standard for Hazard Communication that must be followed in the pork production facility The goal of the program is to reduce the incidence of chemical related illness and injury Chemicals pose a wide range of health hazards i e irritation sensitization carcinogenicity etc and physical hazards i e flammability corrosion reactivity etc by giving information about health hazards and associated protective measures is given to workers and employers This law has made Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS Hazard Communication Labels and logging of all chemicals used in the operation mandatory In this lesson you will learn what they are why MSDS are important what information they contain and where you can find the MSDS Mas ter File at your site Second you will learn what Hazard Communication Labels are why they are important what information they contain and what your responsibilities are concerning hazard communication labels Vocabulary A hazard is a source of danger What is OSHA The Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA is a federal government organization that creates and enforces rules and regulations to provide a safe working environment for employees Some of the basic regulations you nee
67. oose warm drinks to keep your body temperature up when working in cold conditions 34 Pork Production Safety System To protect yourself from frostbite you must protect yourself from direct exposure to the wind Wind accelerates cooling of exposed skin Be alert for frostbite symptoms When working in the cold take frequent breaks in a heated or warmer area Check co workers and have them check you for spots of white skin White skin is an indication of poor blood circulation and cooling of the skin which can lead to frostbite in extremities like the ears and nose tips If you notice you or someone else is suffering from frostbite do NOT try to re warm the area Instead seek trained emergency medical help to care for the frostbite Staying safe in the heat Working in a hot environment presents an entirely different type of stress on the body and its cooling system than does cold weather However warm weather is no less dangerous than cold and can also lead to serious illness or death There are three common illnesses caused by working in extreme heat The first is heat cramps Heat cramps are painful cramps in the arms legs or abdomen Heat exhaustion is also caused by the heat and occurs when the body s cooling system fails Symptoms associated with heat exhaustion include rapid increased pulse and breathing clammy skin heavy sweating and total body weakness exhaustion Severe heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke which can
68. ors Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears that may show up before a person notices any hearing loss Hearing health and safety questions and answers When talking about hearing hazards there are a series of questions commonly asked Question At first the noise levels during certain pork production activities seemed quite loud but now am used to the noise Do I still need to wear hearing protection Answer Yes Even though a noise doesn t seem to be bothering you that doesn t mean that damage is not occurring Very often a family member or co worker will be the first to notice that a person is losing his or her hearing Hearing loss often takes time and you might not notice it until the damage is severe Remember that once you start losing your hearing it s irreversible Wearing hearing protection whenever you are around loud noise will help prevent further damage Question s there any way can tell if have started losing my hearing before the damage is severe Answer The best way to tell is to see a certified audiologist a specialist in hearing loss Potentially hazardous noise levels in the environment can be detected by a trained person who uses a sound level meter Also if you have to raise your voice to be heard by a person just an arm s length away the noise around you is likely loud enough to damage your hearing 39 Question Sometimes hear a ringing in my ears What does that mean Answer Tha
69. owing precautionary measures clean up all spills as soon as they occur or as soon as you notice them prevent spills from happening by using drip pans and guards on machines and equipment where spills could occur keep floors free of debris and dust which may make the floors slippery in areas considered slippery zones areas prone to being slippery due collection of water urine manure or other substances spread barn lime in order to increase traction always walk not run through the barn and wear boots with non slip soles and heels to increase traction 22 Pork Production Safety System Another common way in which falls can occur is by tripping over something in the facility In order to prevent a trip you should store tools and equipment that aren t being used keep aisles and stairways clear of items that cause trips or falls use a flashlight as you enter a dark area and make sure the things you are carrying or pushing don t prevent you from seeing anything you might trip over and walk and don t run through the barn Key points Do Preventing falls due to slips Preventing falls due to trips Keep aisles walkways and stairs free of clutter Clean up spills immediately Wear slip resistant footwear Think about actions before you take them Use aisles and stairways as storage areas Allow materials to build up on floors Leave oil slicks uncovered Leave tools out when you finish usi
70. physical or chemical hazards Two examples of confined spaces that contain hazards are manure pits and grain bins A dust mask is a type of filtration device to remove most small harmful particles of dust before they reach the lungs Two strap dust masks are almost always recommended when pressure washing or cleaning stalls or walkways with high dust concentrations Endotoxins are toxic substances present in some types of bacteria A hazard is a source of danger Hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous gas that is heavier than air and smells like rotten eggs at lower levels Hydrogen sulfide can result in immediate loss of consciousness and death even in low concentrations Methane is a colorless odorless flammable gas that is primarily an explosion hazard Noxious means injurious or harmful to a person s or animal s health Personal protective equipment PPE is equipment used to help protect against hazards Some examples are safety glasses or goggles earmuffs or earplugs back supports knee pads and dust masks or other respirators A respirator is a device worn over the nose and mouth to help prevent toxic gases and or dust from entering the respiratory tract 46 Pork Production Safety System A respiratory hazard is anything that a worker or animal may be exposed to that results in unsafe and harmful atmospheric conditions within an environment specifically the pork production environment Respiratory illnesses are illn
71. ple seen through the sides of a chute can cause balking or frighten the animal Blocking vision will stop escape attempts and will lower the pigs stress level This is why a solid portable sorting board is so effective for handling pigs It s also important to know that pigs will often balk and refuse to walk over a drain grate hose puddle shadow or change in flooring surface or texture Pigs also have a tendency to move from a dimly illuminated area to a more brightly illuminated area provided the light is not glaring into their eyes A spotlight directed onto a ramp will often help facilitate entry 72 Pork Production Safety System Transporting pigs Studies have shown the transporting process puts pigs under a great deal of stress When loading or unloading pigs your objective is to move the animals as quickly and efficiently as possible while ensuring that neither the pig s health or your safety is put at risk When moving pigs limit the size of the group so you will be able to safely manage them To determine how many pigs should be moved at a time consider two things the size of the animals to be moved and the physical layout of the work area Although you can choose how few pigs you feel comfortable moving at a time there are limits on the maximum number of pigs being moved When moving pigs to the nursery the group should not exceed 20 The number of pigs allowed in a group being moved into the finisher is 10 And when
72. process of placing a warning tag such as Do Not Operate on a power source and a downed piece of equipment during a lockout 62 Pork Production Safety System Obey all warning signs Always obey warning signs such as No Entry posted near confined spaces especially when they are near pits and grain bins If you are properly trained for the task you are performing and you must enter a confined space be sure to take the following precautions Key poin Do notify your supervisor that you will be working in a confined space follow all appropriate lockout tagout procedures wear a harness attached to a lifeline and wear other appropriate personal protective equipment and know how to correctly use it As an example wearing a respirator can prevent asphyxiation and suffocation However these devices are useless if you do not put them on correctly or use the wrong type of respirator Even if you have been trained and have proper equipment it s important not to enter a manure pit or other confined space unless there is another person who will remain immediately outside the entire time you are in it That person should be trained in first aid and CPR and must be able to maintain contact with you ts Confined spaces can be extremely dangerous Enter a confined space only if you have been trained in and follow proper safety procedures for it Do not try to rescue a co worker trapped in a confined space without necessa
73. r work will be with it Additionally you will need to demonstrate to your employer that you can identify certain parts of the MSDS like information related to health hazards first aid procedures and fire hazards Hazard Communication Label Along with an MSDS each hazardous chemical will also contain a Hazard Communication Label On this label you will find the name of the chemical the manufacturer s name and address and a hazard warning When you are working with hazardous chemicals wear the correct personal protective equipment as indicated on the MSDS and or Hazard Communication Label You should have a thorough understanding of hazard warnings These warnings include a picture 59 Key points Do of the PPE personal protective equipment needed to handle the chemical and could include a drawing of the hazardous effects Common labels will include colors and numbers If you are transferring a chemical into a smaller container always write the chemical s name and warning on the new container If you must move the chemical to an even smaller container for one shift you should also write the information on the new container Return the remainder of the chemical to the original container or throw it away as outlined in your facility s hazardous materials disposal procedures Different hazards are denoted by different colors on the Hazard Communication Label Blue will give the health hazard ratings and information Red indi
74. ral breeding injuries usually occur when the boar and sow are together Slippery floor conditions due to manure urine and semen spillage may cause the boar to slip and fall on you Be sure to keep the pens clean and dry Some facilities use a slip resistant floor covering to minimize slippage Also make sure you are always aware of your position in relation to the animals Position yourself behind the pigs and at a safe distance In addition to a slippery floor a boar may have trouble locking up with a sow The boar may fall off and injure you if you are standing too close Artificial insemination Injuries during artificial insemination or Al can occur when the boar is introduced to the mount and during the collection process As in natural breeding slippery floor conditions due to manure urine and semen spillage may cause the boar to slip and fall on you Be sure to keep the collection station clean and dry Again some facilities use a slip resistant floor covering to minimize slippage Make sure you are always aware of your position in relation to the animals Position yourself alongside and behind the boar Do not sit down to collect the semen stay on your feet and be sure you have space to move away from the boar if he slips off the mount Be very careful during the artificial insemination of the sow too To stimulate the sow you will press or lean on its back prior to inserting the Al rod Because Al is usually done when the sow
75. re and smoke by closing all windows and doors in the area e Extinguish Evacuate Use a portable fire extinguisher to put out a small fire If the fire is too large use the extinguisher while helping evacuate the building Once outside the building go immediately to the designated meeting place do not go back in You will be informed of your meeting place from your safety program instructor during classroom training 30 Pork Production Safety System If you are dealing with a scrub or grass fire be sure to notify neighbors or others who may be in danger The other acronym to remember when dealing with fire is PASS These letters are used to help you remember the correct way to operate a fire extinguisher e Pull the pin To do this hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism e Aim low When using the extinguisher point the nozzle at the base of the fire e Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly e Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire When using the extinguisher be sure to keep your back to a clear exit so you can easily escape if the situation worsens or if the room fills with smoke It is important to note that a fire extinguisher is not a fire department and cannot do the same job as the fire department If a fire has burned for more than a couple of minutes or is larger than you can control with an extinguisher sound the evacuation alarm leave the
76. rg The National Pork Board 1776 NW 114 Street Clive IA 50325 Mailing address PO Box 9114 Des Moines IA 50306 Phone 515 223 2600 Fax 515 223 2646 E mail porkboard pork org Web site www pork org 03017 8 06
77. rn lime you can increase traction in the area as well as take advantage of its use as a disinfectant 14 Pork Production Safety System Trips and falls Serious injury due to trips or falls can result if items used in day to day operations are not properly put away covered or stored To prevent trips and falls follow thee routine precautions Storage put tools and equipment back in their assigned places after use to not only ensure others will be able to find them but to make sure they are not tripped over guard floor openings by keeping trap doors cages or railings closed or covered so someone walking by them does not accidentally fall and get hurt keep all aisles clear of any items that could potentially cause someone to trip over them and never run through the barn or jump over gates Serious injury can result from not following proper storage procedures To avoid injuries resulting from improper storage follow these routine precautions place garbage cans where the waste is being produced so you can easily dispose of trash and keep the facility clean Empty garbage cans daily so nothing overflows onto the floor making for a messy work environment and a hazard store and secure materials in their proper location allow at least three feet of clearance beneath sprinkler heads when storing materials stack cartons and drums on a firm level surface so they do not fall over and injure someone standing or walking nearby
78. ry equipment approval training and backup support Make sure the local emergency services department knows that they are your designated outside rescue team Enter a confined space only after being properly trained to do so Obtain management permission before entering a confined space Test the air of a confined space before entering it Follow the safety procedures for working in a confined space 63 Don t e Try to rescue a co worker trapped in a confined space without necessary equipment approval training and backup support e Use respiratory protection unless you are properly trained and have performed a fit test e Enter a manure pit without a harness SCBA and outside observer attendant The manager supervisor must administer the permit system for all permit required confined spaces The permit must contain Signature of authorized entrant Time duration of permit e Termination of procedures e Additional information such as date hazards approver s name Additional items as required by OSHA Requirements of entrant The permit required entrant must understand The existing or potential hazard of the confined space The signs and sumptoms of exposure to a hazard Requirements of attendant The permit required entry attendant must Understand the entry hazards e Remain outside the permit space Communicate with entrant e Be able to contact emergency help Requirements of entry supervisor Th
79. s e eliminating electrical outlet overloading e keeping all electrical chords away from heat sources and being alert for overhead power lines while working with equipment such as ladders portable augers poles etc 24 Pork Production Safety System Faulty equipment Immediately inform your supervisor of any faulty equipment so it can get repaired or replaced Don t attempt to repair the tool yourself unless authorized to do so first by your supervisor Lockout the equipment or at the very least tag it out so others are aware that the equipment is damaged Protective clothing and footwear Wear rubber gloves and rubber soled shoes or boots especially if you are working around electricity in a damp environment Inspect electrical tools regularly Inspect your electrical tools on a regular basis and test equipment each time you use it Then check the insulation around power cords to make sure they are in good condition You should not see any exposed wires or frayed ends Power cords in poor condition should be replaced never taped or spliced Check the plug at the end of the cord to make sure the prongs are secure in the plug and none are missing If one of the prongs is missing do not use the tool If you notice one of the prongs on the plug is slightly larger than the other do not attempt to trim the tong down to match the smaller one this is a safety feature and it should be used in outlets that only allow the plug to be
80. s caught between the stall and the sow s body when she jumps Your hand or fingers could get crushed without warning Needle stick injuries can occur if the pig suddenly jumps or moves This type of injury has also been known to occur when employees carry syringes with needles loaded with medication in their pockets Needle stick injuries are not to be taken lightly Certain antibiotics and other medications designed for animals can result in severe medical reactions or even death if they are injected into a person while others can cause tissue irritation or inflammation Others such as reproductive hormones can result in miscarriages if accidentally injected into a pregnant woman 78 Key points Do Pork Production Safety System Never carry a syringe and needles in pockets use bent or damaged needles Be sure to change needles often Always read the package insert label and material safety data sheet or MSDS for the medication being administered This will give you important safety information Only use the product as directed on the package or label In case of accidental injection immediately wash the area with soap and water and report the incident to your supervisor If you Or your supervisor are concerned about a potential reaction you should see a doctor If a co worker is accidentally injected with a medication and has a seizure stops breathing or has a different severe reaction call 911 immediately to summon pro
81. s these are all symptoms of hypothermia When you cannot avoid working in cold temperatures there are a number of precautionary measures that you can take to keep yourself safe First dress appropriately with layers of clothing Cover as much skin as possible especially the neck and head where heat loss is the greatest Try to wear loose fitting clothing as it traps more insulating air pockets between layers Add or take off layers as the outside temperature and your workload vary Block the wind and stay dry by wearing clothing with a Gore Tex or nylon layer Get out of any wet clothes immediately unless you are wearing wool which maintains some insulating value when wet Avoid overdressing to the point of sweating The moisture from perspiration will quickly conduct heat away from your body Keep your feet warm and dry by wearing waterproof insulated boots They will help you avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry Boots also help you maintain footing in ice and snow Another key step to keeping safe in the extreme cold is carefully choosing what you drink Although this may not seem that important choosing the wrong drinks can harm you Make sure to avoid alcohol which not only impairs your judgment but interferes with your body s ability to retain heat in cold weather Avoid drinks containing caffeine They will increase the amount of fluid you lose which in turn increases the amount of heat loss Ch
82. safety education and training and e provide a means for the participation of all employees in an ongoing safety program Pork Production Safety System Vocabulary A hazard is a source of danger Near miss accidents are situations in which an accident didn t occur but almost did and are to be avoided in the future Personal protective equipment or PPE refers to equipment used to help protect you against hazards Some examples are safety glasses or goggles earmuffs or earplugs back supports knee pads and dust masks or respirators Everyone s responsibility For a safety program to work it has to be everyone s responsibility Owners managers and every single employee need to be on board By not taking responsibility the employee puts himself and others at risk The safety responsibilities of EMPLOYERS and OWNERS include e providing a healthy and safe workplace e knowing and following health and safety practices e providing and maintaining safe buildings machinery tools and equipment e establishing and implementing an effective health and safety program e providing appropriate supervision and ensuring clear lines of authority e making sure supervisors are trained supported and held accountable for meeting their health and safety obligations e informing employees of existing hazards and training them to recognize other hazards making sure employees have the information training experience and supervis
83. ssed or squeezed at the wrist Repetitive motion injury is an injury that results from repeating the same physical motion over and over for an extended period of time Causes Repetitive motion injuries are most commonly caused by work done during the processing stage of pork production These tasks include clipping teeth giving shots or cutting tails A repetitive motion injury exposure is determined by the way you use your body when completing these tasks The first step in preventing repetitive motion injuries is for you to become aware of the movements commonly causing such injuries including e twisting your body when carrying animals or other heavy objects e continuously bending or twisting your wrists e working from an awkward position e reaching above shoulder level again and again using your hands to push pound or in some manner exert strong force and e gripping tools that dig into your palm Symptoms After performing these movements over time you may begin feeling the symptoms associated with repetitive motion injuries You may be awakened due to pain sense numbness experience tingling sensations swelling or tenderness have continuous aches lose strength experience crackling or snapping sounds in joints or experience decreased coordination If you experience any of these symptoms visit a primary care provider for a thorough evaluation The key to easing pain associated with repetitive motion injuries
84. st fill out a Hazard Reporting Form and turn it in to your supervisor This will bring the hazard to the attention of the supervisor and appropriate measures can be taken to fix it When a work related injury illness or near miss accident occurs it must be reported to your supervisor After one of these events occurs completely fill out and an Injury Incident Investigation Report and turn it in to your supervisor or the person designated by your employer You need to report an accident if you were involved in the incident or were a witness to it Key points e Agriculture is the leading industry for work related fatalities e Safety is too expensive to learn by accident Accidents have many related costs e Safety is everyone s responsibility e The working environment can be made safer by following simple safety procedures e Identify and report hazards e Report work related injuries illnesses and near miss accidents Safety program objectives e provide an environment that encourages safety awareness and compliance in all employees e minimize accidents both human and material by taking a proactive approach to safety identifying present and future unsafe or hazardous conditions in every area in the operation e provide a uniform policy of safety management consistent with the requirements of OSHA and insurance carriers e define specific responsibilities for effective enforcement of all safety policies procedures and pro
85. t ringing in the ears is called tinnitus Many people who have noise induced hearing loss also experience ringing hissing roaring whistling chirping or even clicking sounds in their ears This may show up before you notice any hearing loss If you re experiencing signs of tinnitus be sure to see a doctor to help determine whether you have noise induced hearing loss Question Can t just get a hearing aid if I lose my hearing Answer Sure you can but the problem is that while a hearing aid will amplify sounds it won t reverse any damage that has already been done Also don t think that it s just older people who experience hearing loss If you regularly work around loud equipment or machinery or around squealing pigs and haven t been wearing hearing protection hearing loss may have already begun Hearing hazards An important first step toward auditory health and safety is identifying the source or cause of a hazard An auditory hazard zone exists during any phase of pork production where noise levels are at or above 85 decibels Prolonged exposure to noise levels at or above 85 decibels can result in hearing loss Chances are you will not know how loud a noise is in an area of the pork facility so it is better to outline what areas of pork production are generally labeled as auditory hazard zones rather than testing the noise level everywhere you go The following are just a few examples of auditory hazard zones you should be
86. the aisles and walkways clean and clear of garbage Make sure all flammable gases or chemicals are stored away from the area where any electric tool will be operated Many electric tools produce sparks which could ignite the flammable material and cause extensive damage All employees should know where the electrical supply or breaker box is and how to turn off the power in case of an emergency Key points Know how to inspect electrical equipment before each use and how to identify hazardous situations Understand how to shut off power and use the correct type of fire extinguisher in case of an electrical fire Do e Inspect electrical tools regularly report faulty equipment to your supervisor e Wear protective clothing and footwear when working with electricity Avoid overhead power lines e Practice good housekeeping e Use faulty equipment Attempt to repair a tool yourself unless authorized to do so e Use extension cords in high traffic areas e Throw water on an electrical fire Rotor Fire Prevention and Safety In the U S thousands of people die from fires each year many of them on farms Most agricultural fires are caused by candles matches sparks static electricity friction welding and faulty equipment Other causes include natural occurrences such as lightning and spontaneous combustion Taking a few precautions could have prevented many of these deaths The fact that fires are so preventabl
87. the person or object is removed from the flight zone the animal will usually stop A pig s decision to move forward or backward is determined by the point of balance This location is from the middle of the pig to the front shoulder To move a pig forward enter the animal s flight zone just inside its range of vision and behind the point of balance If something unfamiliar or threatening gets in front of the pig it will stop or turn back For example when moving a pig down a hallway and it comes upon a bucket left in the alley the pig makes a decision to go forward stop or turn around and run That decision is based on what appears to be more threatening the person behind or the bucket in front If the pig is familiar with human contact but not the bucket it will either stop or reverse its forward direction If on the other hand the pig is familiar with the bucket it will ignore the bucket and continue down the hallway 68 Pork Production Safety System Pigs follow each other in group formations so it is easier to move a group of pigs forward when the leaders are prompted Prodding the pigs in the back of a group will not necessarily move the entire group forward Pigs can be broken into four different sub groups These groups are boars sows nursery pigs and grower or finisher pigs While they are all pigs each of the groups has unique characteristics you should be aware of when working with them When mating boars will
88. they need to go Fourth stabilize the accident scene if the hazard still exists without putting yourself in danger By doing this you can prevent further danger to the injured person or others Fifth after the emergency personnel have left notify your supervisor that an accident has occurred and an investigation must be performed Hazardous gases Hazardous gases are a risk to you and the animals These gases are very dangerous and you should take special care to follow all steps in the Emergency Action Plan when dealing with these gases One way to determine if there are hazardous gases in a room is to look for downed animals or people If people or animals are down it is possible that the area contains hazardous gases and you must not enter the room If you notice people are down contact emergency medical services as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan instead of entering the room Fire Key points After surveying the room and determining that only animals are down contact your supervisor who will then take the correct course of action You may be able to dilute some of the toxic gases without entering the room by bringing fresh air in through a fan or an open curtain window or door Enter the building only if you have been trained and approved to use a supplied air respirator are wearing a harness with an attached line and have someone in position on the outside to pull you out in case of an emergency Respirators such as
89. tial hazards and how to safely work with it Emergency Action Plan Because accidents are inevitable it s critical that hog production facility employees familiarize themselves with the key emergency situation practices at the facility The Emergency Action Plan will tell you who to call what to say and what steps to follow in an emergency If someone is injured in the accident go to the sheet in your facility listing the names of on site first aid cardholders Contact this person and make sure the injured individual is cared for until emergency medical services can arrive 10 Pork Production Safety System Make sure you have consulted your Safety Program Contacts the people in your operation who can answer any questions you may have about the operation s Safety Program Familiarize yourself with the Evacuation Plans which indicate how to exit each building as well as where to meet once you have exited so the person in charge of conducting a head count can verify who has safely evacuated the building Five step emergency procedure When an accident occurs follow this five step emergency procedure to help the injured person as soon as possible First notify a first aid cardholder so basic care may be administered to the individual Second contact emergency services either by radio or phone Third provide directions to emergency personnel and notify neighbors that emergency help is on the way so they may help direct them where
90. uch if not more than you When lifting pigs there are specific guidelines you should follow For pigs weighing less than 40 pounds do the following 1 position yourself alongside and to the rear of the pig to be lifted 2 secure your grip on the hind leg furthest from you with your lifting hand and use your other hand to hold the other hind leg 3 as you lift use the front legs of the pig to help support some of the weight until the pig is in a vertical position and 4 lift the pig straight up to clear any gates Lift with your legs and arms and not with your back 20 Pork Production Safety System Lifting pigs or object heavier than 40 pounds cannot always be done alone and may require help When trying to move dead animals or other heavy loads use mechanical devices such as a hog cart to move them without injuring yourself Always ask for help from a co worker to move an object that is too heavy for you to lift by yourself Asking for help is a necessary precaution to take in order to stay safe Key points e Keep your back straight by tucking in your chin e Lift with the strong leg muscles not the weaker back muscles Ask for help lifting heavy awkward items e When possible use mechanical equipment to move heavy items Do e Tuck in your chin to keep the back as straight as possible while lifting e Lift with the strong leg muscles Ask for help with heavy awkward items e When possible use mechanical equipment to mov
91. ve an escape route e Overcrowd pens or chutes 82 Pork Production Safety System Women s Health Issues Most hog facilities today use drugs or chemicals that may have a potential impact on human health particularly women This section will address of the chemical and drug interactions that are most dangerous to employees of both genders and how to avoid coming into contact with these chemicals and animal health drugs Vocabulary MSDS as defined in the Right to Know Law stands for the Material Safety Data Sheet which is required to be provided by the manufacturer with every chemical The MSDS gives information about the chemical its potential hazards and how to safely work with it Farrowing is the normal delivery of one or more live stillborn or mummified dried up and shriveled pigs on or around the 114 day of pregnancy Reproductive hormones Although you may not be familiar with the trade names of reproductive hormones used in swine production chances are they are used in your facility Examples of brand names of reproductive hormones are matrix Prostamate Estrumate PG600 Lutalyse and oxytocin Though they are drugs made by different companies they all contain hormones that act on the reproductive system and some may have harmful effects to humans exposed to them Most reproductive hormones used in swine are injected Prostaglandins such as Estrumate Prostamate and Lutalyse are injected to induce farrowin
92. wooden handle which may allow the head of the tool to fly off and strike the user or another worker e using a wrench when its jaws are sprung which may allow it to slip and e using impact tools such as chisels wedges or drift pins when they have mushroomed heads which may cause the heads to shatter on impact and send sharp fragments flying General safe practices for using hand tools include e directing saw blades knives or other tools away from aisle areas and other employees working close by e keeping knives and scissors sharp Dull tools can be more hazardous than sharp ones 55 wearing appropriate personal protective equipment e g safety goggles gloves etc while using portable power tools and hand tools keeping floors as clean and dry as possible to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous hand tools using spark resistant tools made from brass plastic aluminum or wood to reduce dangerous ignition sources around flammable substances using hand tools for their intended purposes only and maintaining them in safe working condition Power tools General safe practices for using power tools include never carrying a tool by the cord or hose never pulling the cord or the hose to disconnect it keeping cords and hoses away from heat oil and sharp edges disconnecting tools when not in use before servicing and when changing accessories such as blades bits and cutters avoiding accidental

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