OWATONNA, Minn. — Youth who want to learn more about farm and tractor safety or would like to work with equipment with over 20 horsepower off of their family farms, have an opportunity to participate in U of M Extension’s Tractor and Farm Safety Certification program in Owatonna this June. This hybrid program combines online learning with hands-on activities and is designed for students 14 years and older. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate of training from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The cost to take this course is $25. Once registered, students can work at their own pace for the online portion over a one to two-week period. The in-person portion of the training is two days long. It includes a written exam and educational talks by Extension Educators and experienced community members. A variety of farm and tractor safety topics will be covered. The hands-on portion covers practice time working with the equipment. The final exam includes a driver skills test on a marked course and a demonstration of the student’s ability hitching and unhitching an implement.
This course consists of six modules which will be covered online and in-person:
- The Background: Covers health and safety regulations, worker compensation laws, protection standards and environmental regulations.
- Basic Safety: Students will learn to assess and respond to hazards on the farm by learning appropriate age-related tasks, review safety equipment and common injuries involving youth and how to perceive risks. They will also learn how to respond to emergency situations with training in first aid and CPR.
- Agricultural Hazards: Awareness of hazards is the first step to safety. This course covers multiple hazards found on a farm such as mechanical, respiratory, electrical, and chemical and fire, as well as confined spaces and age appropriate tasks working with livestock.
- The Tractor: Students will learn how to safely operate a tractor. Tractor hazards such as overturns, runovers and PTO entanglements are emphasized.
- Implements: Covers how to hitch and unhitch implements, as well as maneuvering a tractor forwards and backwards while pulling an implement.
- Telehandlers: Covers other types of equipment that youth could be asked to use including telehandlers, and ATV’s and utility equipment, plus auger, silage and elevator safety. Proper loading and towing of equipment will also be discussed.
An in-person session is scheduled for June 26 & 27 in Owatonna at Kibble Equipment. Students will get to learn from community members and Extension Educators and get hands-on experience driving a tractor. For more information, and to register go to: https://z.umn.edu/48wj. If you have any questions, contact Extension Educator Claire LaCanne at 507-444-7691 or lacanne@umn.edu.
Click the link for a flyer: Youth Tractor Safety Course
— University of Minnesota Extension
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