Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are electrical devices designed to protect people from electrocution when using plug-in cord-connected portable electrical equipment, especially in wet or damp locations. GFCIs prevent electrocution by quickly disconnecting the electrical current if the flow of electricity is "leaking" out of the wires due to bad insulation, nicks, cuts or cracks. The GFCI "trips" if you, become a path to ground or if the electric current finds it’s way to the ground. More details are found in the February’s "Safety News".

SAFETY TIP: A GFCI operates by measuring the current (current is expressed in amperes) flowing in the two wires (the white and black wire) to the receptacle or equipment it protects.

A GFCI does not depend on or use a "ground wire" (the bare copper or green wire). Pushing the "test" button simulates a leakage (a very small difference in the current between the white and black wire) that is just above the trip setting of the GFCI.

If the current in the two wires differs by more than 6/1000 of an ampere, the GFCI shuts off power in a fraction of a second. This explains why an older farm house or building wired with just a two wire system (no ground wire) can still take advantage of using GFCI's.

What changes a person’s ability to think more objectively about risk?

Those who have survived a "close call" or injury often remember the "significant emotional event"and adjust their risk taking assessments. We can learn from our own mistakes and from others.

Sending me farm injury news clippings and reports will increase the Michigan farm safety data accuracy. The information is also used to identify high-risk work activities and warn others about current farm operation hazards. Please keep sending farm safety information to my office.

Howard Doss

Farmer Gets Arm Caught in Roller Mill

On January 24, 2000, according to a Lapeer County MSUE news clip, a forty-year-old farmer — and high school freshman basketball coach — reached down with his left arm to pick something up, when his right coat sleeve was grabbed by the roller mill he was operating pulling his forearm into the machine.

The farmer’s injuries included skin and muscle damage, limited use of three fingers, and broken bones resulting in muscle and skin grafting. Limitations on the muscles in his forearm are too early to predict.

SAFETY TIP: Loose clothing including draw-strings on jackets and sweatshirts, and frayed coat sleeves can get caught in moving parts. Even long hair on workers can become entangled in moving parts like exposed chains, belts and augers. Your farm operation needs a "safe work" policy that clearly indicates a ban of workers —including family members— wearing loose or frayed clothing. Make appropriate clothing to wear when working a policy on your farm. A safe work policy should be a part of your overall farm safety plan.

Howard Doss

Phil Kaatz of Lapeer developed a 15 slide PowerPoint presentation on farm safety for a local livestock producer meeting on February 11, 2000. You can view Phil’s presentation via e-mail; request the presentation by e-mailing me at : doss@msue.msu.edu

Challenge yourself by making your own farm safety presentation from past and/or current SAFETY NEWS fact sheets. Phil’s presentation was created from SAFETY NEWS facts other sources. He produced a quick, to-the-point presentation concerning farm safety by focusing on important issues for local producers.

Keep the presentation simple and to-the-point. An hour investment of your time can make this happen and keep safety management issues in the forefront.

If I receive ten PowerPoint or overhead farm safety presentations developed for this year’s meetings, I will award the top three authors with personal protective equipment (PPE) items to use at future educational meetings.

Howard Doss