Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker, while maintaining the efficiency of people in the workplace. The use of ergonomics keeps workers safe, comfortable, and productive. Improving work posture, reduced force, and less repetition prevents injuries. Due to the labor-intensive nature of farming, ergonomics can be of great value in reducing the risk of injuries. Remember that old habits do die hard and many farming practices have been passed down from generation to generation.
Approximately 25 percent of all work place injuries in Ohio result from overexertion caused by lifting, pulling, or pushing objects. Overexertion is spraining a ligament or straining a tendon or a muscle and occurs when the amount of work attempted exceeds the limits of the body parts doing the work. People with a preexisting condition, limited mobility, or aging limitations are more prone to overexertion injuries. In some cases individuals will overuse one body part to compensate for the limitation of another body part.
In agriculture, farmers are always carrying objects from one location to another. The objects may range from a bag of seed corn to the planter, parts to a piece of equipment, buckets of feed to livestock, or to bales of hay. Individuals engaged in farming with a disability or physical limitation should take preventive measures to protect their backs. Approximately 25 percent of Ohio work related injuries are from overexertion when lifting.
Agriculture is a labor-intensive occupation that involves a hands-on approach to every work day. Safety precautions need to be considered when working around farm equipment or livestock. If precautions are not taken seriously, it is easy to be caught-in, caught-between, or struck by objects, leading to serious injuries. People with limited mobility, lack of range of motion, or diminished reaction time are at higher risk.
Several types of walking and working surfaces are on farms and farmers may encounter some or even all of them throughout the workday. Farmers with a disability or mobility limitation can have an increased risk of injury from a trip, slip, or fall because of the variety of surfaces they encounter on a regular basis. Individuals facing mobility issues or a diminished sense of balance are at greatest risk of injury when transferring from one surface to the next.
Manure is one of the most commonly digested materials to produce energy (EPA AgSTAR). (See Table 1.) The most desirable product of anaerobic digestion is biogas, which can be used for heating, lighting, electricity generation, and cooking.
The availability of corn and wheat crop residues was analyzed for each county in Ohio. Results showed that two clusters in western Ohio, each encompassing 17 counties with a collection radius of 50 miles, could provide feedstock for two ethanol plants at a capacity of 5,000 dry tons per day each. This calculation assumes that 35 percent of the corn stover and wheat straw per acre would be removed. These two plants could produce a total of 240 million gallons of ethanol per year.
Brown spot is also known as Septoria leaf spot. Its primary effect is premature defoliation of soybeans, but some yield loss may occur during extremely wet growing seasons. The primary effect has been early defoliation of lower leaves. Recent yield losses documented range from 2 to 4 bu/A.
Families who effectively discuss money matters can avoid many financial problems. Good communication about money begins with understanding each other's values. This exercise helps you compare values about money. Complete it individually, then compare responses. For each pair of statements, choose the one you feel is more important. There are no right or wrong answers.
1. a. Paying off the credit card debts at the end of each month.
1. b. Keeping the minimum monthly payment within a reasonable limit.
Many parents feel discouraged when their children bicker or resist requests made of them. How do we teach children to cooperate and resolve conflict?
If we want children to stop fighting we must teach them new skills for resolving conflict. They need to learn problem-solving skills and develop avenues for generating socially acceptable alternatives for getting what they want.
