MICHIGAN FARM, SAFETY & HEALTH NEWS HEADLINES:

49-YEAR-OLD MAN KILLED WHILE PULLING A STUMP WHEN A FARM TRACTOR FLIPS ON TOP OF HIM in Muskegon county ,4/1/99, according to a news clip. SAFETY TIP: Pulling stumps with an agricultural tractor is usually a misapplication of what a farm tractor was designed to do. Using equipment with a lower center of gravity and greater stability for this activity could reduce injury and death associated with agricultural tractors.

2-YEAR-OLD BOY HURT ON FARM in Hillsdale County, 4/13/99, according to a news clip from a MSUE office. The clip indicated that the boy's father was backing a skid-steer loader into the barn when the little boy went behind the loader and was run over. The boy was transported to a local hospital and is recovering. SAFETY TIP: Children must be supervised. A fenced play-yard can help keep children out of agricultural work areas and away from moving farm machinery.

56-YEAR-OLD OVERTURNS FARM TRACTOR USING BLADE ON PILE OF SOIL in Muskegon county ,4/26/99, according to a MSUE new clip. He suffered a broken leg with possible internal injuries and was transported via helicopter to the hospital. A trench was dug by firefighters to drain away the leaking gasoline during the hour-long extrication of the victim's leg from under the tractor. SAFETY TIP: Due to the high center-of-gravity of a tractor and the stability of an agricultural tractor, other types of earthmoving equipment may be more efficient and appropriate to move dirt.

DID YOU KNOW THAT MICHIGAN RANKS SECOND IN LIGHTNING STRIKES IN THE USA and each year, on average, three people die and 19 are injured in our state due to lightning strikes. Ball parks, playgrounds, golfing, water activities and FARM EQUIPMENT are the highest locations of lightning related injuries in Michigan. Most lightning strikes are in April through September with most in June, July and August. Source of this information is in your files: MSU Agr. Engr. Safety News 07/98

HEAT STRESS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE and about 20 percent of people affected by heat strike die. Drink water before you become thirsty. Preferable water temperature is between 50-60 degrees, most people tend not to drink warm or very cold water. Note: Satisfaction of thirst is not a good indicator of how much water a person needs to drink. Source in your files: MSU Agr. Engr. Safety News 08/98.

Howard Doss

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR THAT MORE FARM AND ORCHARD ACCIDENTS OCCUR, so your office should be sending news clips and e-mails on accidents that are farm related. If any follow-up is need, it will occur immediately when details are still available. Send Michigan accident clips and information to me as soon as you can. We can learn from the mistakes and misfortunes of others working in Michigan's Industry of Agriculture. Safety tips can provide knowledge to prevent accidents. Reports of injury or death on Michigan farms and orchards provide the basis for a safety tip.

Howard Doss