A publication of the AgrAbility In Dakota project.
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554 (701) 663-6828 ext 303 or 1-800-247-0698 ext 303
esgwnd@btigate.com - www.ext.nodak.edu/agrability

AgrAbility In Dakota
NEWS

Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families

Spring 1999 -- Volume 2, Number 2

Farm Safety Tip

Schools are out for the summer and for nearly three months, hundreds of children will be free to roam the farm.

It isn't easy, managing children while keeping them safe and out of danger, but it is a very necessary task. Far too many youngsters without supervision get into trouble around the farm. Frequently it is fatal trouble. In 1995, eleven percent of the farming related injury fatalities were children 10 years of age or younger. Including the teenagers raises that percentage to 14 percent of the farming-related fatalities. Children believe they are invincible, but they are not.

According to Jack Burke of the National Safety Council, "Farming is the only industry where children under 16 years of age are fatally injured in occupational accidents - don't let or expect your child to do the work of an adult."

Children should not be allowed to ride along on farm machinery. No one, especially children should have to hang on for dear life through a morning or afternoon in the fields. Farm machinery has one seat, and it is for the driver, only. If the child should fall from the tractor it is very unlikely that the machinery will be stopped in time to prevent a disaster. The tractor is no place to baby sit.

Follow the rule of "NO RIDERS" on farm machinery and let the children enjoy being children instead of patients.

The National Grant Program of the AgrAbility Project is a joint effort of The USDA Extension Service, The National Easter Seal Society and Purdue University's Breaking New Ground Resource Center. Support for this newsletter is provided by the USDA Extension Service; Project #92-EFDA-1-10013.



Grain Bin Ladders

Have you ever climbed a grain bin ladder to close the lid of a bin or to check the level of grain? Climbing on bin ladders can be dangerous. Often times they do not always get the design attention they should and bin ladders also take a lot of abuse since they are rarely considered important until someone needs to check a bin of grain.

Here are some ideas when climbing the bin ladder. Also be sure to take a look at the assistive technology highlights this month. You may never have to climb a grain bin again!

  1. Make sure the ladder is securely attached to the bin wall including the extension ladder to get to the top of the bin.
  2. The lower portion of the ladder should be hinged to the upper portion at a height an adult can reach, but a youth cannot.
  3. Climbing the ladder is an exercise that demands the use of both hands and both feet. Carrying something in one hand while climbing is not recommended. If one needs to bring a shovel or pail, it should be tied to a rope, which is tied to the workers waist. The shovel or pail then pulled up after the worker has reached the top and is secure in the working position.
  4. Only one worker is to be on the ladder at a time. The weight of two workers on the ladder may over-stress it and result in detachment form the bin.



Assistive Technology
Bin Level Indicator

Hailed as the new generation of level indicators, the LevAlert brand bin indicator may be of special interest for those who cannot climb or who have a mobility impairment. The indicator is easy to install from outside the bin and is high in visibility and adaptability. It can be placed anywhere along a vertical bin wall at levels desired by the owner.

The mechanics are simple. As the bin material reaches the indicator, it pushes against a rubber activator, turning the color indicator from black to a bright yellow outside the bin. When the material recedes, the indicator automatically darkens again. An optional electrical sensor can be attached to operate electrical horns, lights, etc. The indicator can sense almost any granular bulk solids ranging from powders to pellets.



Tired of climbing your grain bins to close the lids?

We have the answer for you — Remote Lid (Cenex in Mohall) for your existing bins!

The lid has a stronger spring closure yet the mechanical advantage opener allows easy opening from the ground.



What's New!



Upcoming Events



Bargain Buyers Corner . . .

Giveaway

Wanted



Where We've Been:

Bismarck Mayor's Committee for Employment for People with Disabilities
University of Mary - PT program
Jamestown Mayor's Committee for Employment for People with Disabilities
Health Care Accessories - Jamestown
ABLE - Fargo
Dakota Heartland - Fargo
MeritCare - Fargo
Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce - Ag Committee
Fargo Mayor's Committee for Employment for People with Disabilities

Tom Alexander, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1801, Minot, ND 58702
Bus. (701) 839-4121 - Fax (701) 838-5998
Cell (701) 720-4276 - Res. (701) 852-3471
Email: alextom@minot.com

Trina Gress, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1206, Mandan, ND 58554
Bus. (701) 663-6828 ext. 303 - Fax (701) 663-6859
Toll Free Nationwide 1-800-247-0698 ext. 303
Cell (701) 220-4272 - Res. (701) 221-2649
Email: esgwnd@btigate.com

George Maher, Ag Safety Specialist
NDSU Extension Service
Box 5626, Ag Engineering 115
North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58105-5626
(701) 231-8288 - FAX (701) 231-1008
Email: gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu

The National Grant Program of the AgrAbility Project is a joint effort of The USDA Extension Service, The National Easter Seal Society and Purdue University's Breaking New Ground Resource Center. Support for this newsletter is provided by the USDA Extension Service; Project #92-EFDA-1-10013.

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