Course Syllabus

AGTM 2900 Farm Safety

Course Description

This Farm Safety course provides training and “Farm Safety Certification” in working with and around machinery, chemicals, electricity, hydraulics, ATVs, and farm animals. Students will acquire knowledge and skills to safely work on a farm/ranch and will receive a Farm Safety Training certificate. The course consists of online instruction, class/lab work, as well as a ½ day practicum lab. The course will be taught in both the first block and the second block of the Fall semester and the first block of the Spring Semester.

Justification

Short-term training opportunities (CARES funding) justified the creation of this course. Operating and working on and with powerful equipment, unpredictable livestock, chemicals, electricity, and all-terrain vehicles (UTVs) make farm and ranch employment dangerous places to work. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the Utah Division of Wildlife require similar training and certification of their employees in basic farm equipment operation, including working on and around tractors, equipment, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will gain an understanding of the many risks of working in production agriculture operations.
2. Students will learn the safe operation of agricultural equipment, including instrumentation and controls, and understand the critical injury areas of working in and around agricultural equipment.
3. Students will learn the basics of working around chemicals and pesticides, including labeling and prevention of pesticide poisoning.
4. Students will understand the proper handling of and working with livestock and livestock equipment.
   
5. Students will understand the basics of working around electricity as it is used in agricultural operations.
6. Students will learn the safe operation of ATVs, including the use of protective equipment, operating on slopes, and legal operation on private and public roads.

Course Content

Students will gain knowledge and skills in: 1) Safe operation of major farm equipment, including: understanding of equipment instrumentation and controls, towing, backing, equipment attachment safety, and common machine hazards and highway safety. 2) Pesticide and chemical safety, formulations, labeling, and preventing pesticide poisoning. 3)Working around and with electricity, overhead line clearance, main switches, breaker boxes, and fuses. 4)Safe handling and working around livestock, horses, cattle, zoonosis (diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans), and animal waste-manure pits. 5)Safe operation of ATVs, protective equipment, operation on paved or gravel roads and on slopes, and legal ATV operation on public roads and property. 6) Taking care of yourself, personal protection equipment, ergonomics, stress, rest, heatstroke, drugs and medications, and first aid.