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
Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families
Summer 2001 -- Volume 4, Number 2
The AgrAbility Program staff have presented the program to the community. Presentations were given to University of Mary Social Work and Occupational Therapy classes, Regional Social Services, St. Alexius Rehab Unit and Trauma Committee. AgrAbility Program staff have also been busy conducting farm visits with farmers who have disabilities.
Emmons County Health Fair -- Linton -- June 1
Hettinger Fair Building Dedication -- Hettinger --_ June 2
Emmons County Safety Day -- Linton -- June 7
Easter Seals State Meeting -- Dickinson -- June 18-20
Advisory Committee Meeting -- Jamestown -- June 28
ND State Fair -- Minot -- July 20-29
Shopping for protective equipment for your hearing can be confusing. There are many brands, styles, and models of plugs and muffs to choose from. How can you tell which is the better buy? Usually price is a good indicator of quality, but not always.
Well, what is the answer? The NRR number on the package is a good place to start. NRR stands for Noise Reduction Rating. The higher the number the more protection, assuming the protective device fits properly.
One size fits all? No way! Be sure to test fit the protective device, unless you are considering ear plugs. Usually, when you test fit ear plugs, you just bought them. But, test fit the ear muffs and try them on. They must fit properly if they are to do the job.
Ear muffs should fit snugly over the ears, snug enough that they do not slip from position, but not so snug that they cause discomfort. They may not seal properly against your head if you wear your hair long and over the ears. Brush your hair to the back so the muff has little between it and your head. Some ear muffs are sensitive to the way you position the strap. Those that are will offer the most protection when the strap is over the top of your head. The strap can be worn around the back of the head or under the chin, but the NRR is lower in those positions and you get less protection.
How do you know if they fit properly? Try them on with a loud noise present. Trying them on in a silent room tells you nothing. There must be some noise. If there is a significant reduction in the noise volume and perhaps elimination of some frequencies, then they are doing the job.
Ear plugs should fit in the outer ear canal without pain. Some models require you to roll them down to a smaller diameter, insert them, and let them expand to fill the ear canal. With others, you simply wiggle them in. Check the instructions first! They should fit snug but without pain, not even a little. Small amounts of pain over extended time will add up to enough pain that will discourage you from wearing them again.
If you experience a continuing roaring or rumbling noise hours after work then you are probably in the process of some hearing loss. It would be a smart move to have your hearing checked and investigate the use of hearing protection in the very near future.
Save an arm... save a leg... save a life. How? With The Inforcer, a round baler unplugging system invented by Menoken resident Jerry Schmitcke. The Inforcer is a hydraulically actuated attachment designed to fit many makes and models of the most commonly used balers. The Inforcer has been field tested for the past two baling seasong with many different types of hay and crops with astoundingly great results!
The Inforcer unplugs your baler by exerting pressure in the mouth of the baler to force the plug through. While The Inforcer unplugs very rough or stalky kinds of hay, it has also been successfully used to "start" a bale in hay which is very light and slippery.
The Inforcer is universal in use; however, mounting on different brands, makes, and models requires different mounting brackets. Currently we have several popular found baler model mounting bracket kits available. Most balers allow for bot-on mounting to the baler.
The Inforcer has many benefits to offer any round baler operator.
Currently The Inforcer and Mounting Bracket Kits are made for five popular balers, which are listed below:
In the process of being built are:
For more information contact:
The Inforcer, Inc.
2801 171st Street SE
Menoken, ND 58558
(701) 673-3375
inforcer@btigate.com
ND Assistive Technology Financial Loan Program -- Fargo --_ April 11
Training for new AgrAbility staff -- University of Wisconsin -- April 19-20
ND Assoc. of Community Facilities -- Bismarck -- May 3
Time Out for Safety and Health -- Focus on YOUth, Mandan High School -- May 12
Caring for the Caregiver -- Bismarck -- May 16
Giveaway
Wanted
For Sale
Tom Alexander, Co-Director
AgrAbility In Dakota
P.O. Box 1240, Minot, ND 58702
Bus. (701) 839-4121 Fax (701) 838-5998
Cell (701) 720-4276
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.