SAFETY APPAREL IN AGRICULTURE

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SAFETY APPAREL IN AGRICULTURE
Produced by Idaho State University Office of
Workforce Training
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This material was produced under
grant SH22228SH1 from the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
It does not necessarily reflect the views or
policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
does mention of trade names, commercial products,
or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
Government.
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OSHA and Agriculture

• Not all farms fall under OSHA jurisdiction
• Who is exempt Farms that only employ immediate
  family members or farms with 10 employees or less
  (this exemption, however, does not apply if the
  operation has maintained a temporary labor camp
  within the last twelve months, OSHA directive CPL
  02-00-51)
• Additional state guidelines may apply

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OSHA and Agriculture

• OSHA requires the use of personal protective
  equipment (PPE) to reduce employee exposure to
  hazards when engineering and administrative
  controls are not feasible or effective in
  reducing these exposures to acceptable levels.
  Employers are required to determine if PPE should
  be used to protect their workers.
• Source http//www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotect
  iveequipment/

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Safety Apparel in Agriculture

• Because OSHA stands for safety and health, keep
  that standard in mind when selecting wearing
  apparel in agriculture.
• When selecting clothing remember dark colors
  absorb heat while light colors reflect heat.

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Footwear

• Medium to high top work boot or cowboy boot.
• Made of leather to include a steel toe.
• Provides protection from falling objects.
• Provides protection if stepped on by livestock.
• Provides high ankle support.
• Provides protection from snakebites, wasp,
  hornet, and bee stings.
• Heavy sole provides protection from injury due to
  stepping on thorns, nails, or rocks.
• Provides protection from welder or grinder
  debris.
• Price range 100 to 350.

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Socks

• Socks should be of the length to fully
  accommodate the size of the footwear.
• Recommended socks would be of cotton material so
  as to lessen the retention of foot moisture.
• Cotton socks tend not to have a tight restrictive
  band whereas polyester socks commonly do.
• Tight restrictive bands on socks cut necessary
  circulation to the feet and toes.
• Price usually in the 6 range.

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Pants

• Denim material.
• A relatively tough but flexible fabric.
• Cotton material.
• A flexible but breathable material.
• As polyester is highly flammable, it would be
  best to avoid this fabric.
• Pants should be full length so as to provide
  protection from scrapes, nicks, insect bites, sun
  exposure, welder or grinder debris.
• Price range from 15 to 65.

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Shirts

• Denim shirts provide a rugged but flexible
  fabric.
• Cotton shirts provide a flexible but breathable
  fabric.
• Polyester shirts should be avoided as polyester
  is a highly flammable material.
• Flannel shirts provide warmth.
• Shirts should be long sleeved to provide
  protection from sun exposure, insect bites,
  scrapes and bruises.
• Shirts should fit comfortably but not be baggy.
• Price range 25 to 65.

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Neckerchief

• Provides skin protection during intense sun
  exposure.
• Can be used as a dust mask.
• Can be used as a cloth to be soaked in water to
  cool the brow or neck of heat exhaustion or
  heatstroke victims.
• Can be used as an emergency glove.
• Price range 2.

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Hats

• Straw hats provide good sun protection and reduce
  heat.
• Normal price range 30 to 70.
• Felt hats provide good sun protection but
  normally retain heat.
• Normal price range 65 to 225.
• Baseball style caps do not provide good sun
  protection.
• Normal price range 7.
• Metal or fiberglass hard hats provide protection
  from head injuries but may not provide good sun
  protection. They may be required in certain
  situations.
• Normal price range 16.

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Gloves

• Gloves provide protection from blisters,
  splinters, insect bites, scrapes and bruises.
• Leather gloves provide the best protection for
  standard uses.
• Price range for leather gloves is 12 to 30.
• Price for welding gloves ranges 10 above.

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Additional Clothing

• To protect against hypothermia or frostbite,
  additional clothing might be necessary. It is
  normally easy to remove light layers of clothing.
• Denim coveralls approximately 45.
• Cotton coveralls approximately 35.
• Cotton shop coat 35.
• Insulated coveralls 80.
• Hooded sweatshirt 30 to 50.
• Fleece vest 17.
• Light jacket 25.
• Rain gear 10 to 100.
• Cowboy Duster 130.

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Apparel Accessories

• Ear plugs 2.
• Noise restriction ear muffs 18.
• Safety glasses range 4 to 10.
• Dust mask 3.
• Toxic respirator mask 30 to 40.
• Chemical application suit and boots 150.
• Knee pads 15.

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Think About It!

• The entire investment package discussed in this
  module is slightly over 500.
• Isnt a toe, finger, hand, your eyesight, your
  hearing, your lungs, or perhaps even your life
  worth the investment?
• It truly is about your life, your safety and
  your health!

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Evaluation
Produced by Idaho State University Office of
Workforce Training