April, 2000

ACCIDENT CLIPS AND SAFETY TIPS:
Classes for Youth Tractor Training Set

I have had several questions about tractor training for 14- and 15-year-old youth. Presently, Berrien and Isabella Counties are running classes. Surrounding counties may wish to contact the MSUE offices to see if space is available for out-of-county students.

Here are some class recommendations:

1. Youth under 14 can take the class work but can not legally do the hands-on tractor or equipment training. Make sure parents and youth fully understand this limitation. You might want to have the parent and youth sign a short statement, for your file, indicating class work only and that no certificate will be issued.
2. Remind your relatives about allowing rides on tractors for non-direct-family youth UNDER 16, under Federal law it is illegal on their farm or a farm under their control. Leasing, rent-share crop agreements get sticky concerning who has the majority of management control.
3. Youth who will not be 14 until this summer can take the class work and you could hold their test score until their 14th birthday. Then, if you choose, you or the Agr Science teacher can give the tractor driving and issue the "Certificate of Training".
4. Just who will sign the Certificate of Training will dictate the format of the program as to the hours of instruction.

   Howard Doss

   AG INJURY AND ACCIDENT INFO STILL NEEDED

   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.

    

   Howard Doss

   SAFETY COMMENTS
   Hiring Youth to Mow Lawns at a "Business" Location

   An extension office called about hiring a youth to mow lawns this summer at a university-owned farm. The Regulatory Compliance Assistance Program (RCAP) Farm Manual for Michigan Farmers, given to those who attended the winter extension in-service farm labor meeting in February at Michigan Farm Bureau, says the following: "A minor under 16 years of age shall not be employed in any occupation involving the operation of power driven lawn mowers or cutters." This is from the Michigan Youth Employment Standards act. Proof of age and a work permit are needed for a 16-year-old student working at a business location. Another part says that 16- to 17-year-old youth can only use a tractor (for mowing and other tasks) exceeding 20 power take-off horsepower, if they are "provided instructions from their employers".

   Note: This comment could cover a Michigan "farm operation" that is a corporation, LLC or a "farm" that has another "business" — such as a retail farm market that sells non-farm produced goods, like flowers from a nursery or a soda machine. See the RCAP manual for more detailed information. The point is to be sure your farmers and growers know the rules when hiring youth this summer.

   Safety Training Tip: Use the RCAP manual as a safety reference resource. If another farm labor MSU Extension in-service is offered next year by Craig Anderson of Michigan Farm Bureau, take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about labor and safety standards. Also, the RCAP manual, with over 500 pages, is a Michigan specific manual and can help you answer many labor and safety questions.

   Howard Doss