AgriTourism SafetyMatters 2016 v20160210 Pick TN... · 2016. 4. 7. · your interpretation and application of that advice Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Dept. Are You Prepared?

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Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Dept.

Safety MattersSafety Matters

2016 Pick TN Conference

Tim PratherExtension Specialist

Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Dept.UT Extension

Regulations, Good Practices and ExperiencesRegulations, Good Practices and Experiences


Why AgriTourism?Why AgriTourism?• Diversify / increase income

– Direct / retail marketing opportunities– Value added opportunities– Entertainment / recreation venue– Teach about agriculture


Risks for AgrotourismRisks for AgrotourismLiability increases significantly over ‘normal’ farming exposures

– More employees– Increased traffic– Guests / customers that may…

• not understand hazards• not follow your instructions• steal / vandalize your property• just fall victim to an ‘accident’


Objectives of This PresentationObjectives of This Presentation• Identify some key areas of concern• Review some relevant rules and regulations• Identify some good practices• Discuss some experiences

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DisclaimerDisclaimerThe value of advice

depends on your interpretation

and application of that advice


Are You Prepared?Are You Prepared?


Extremely or Highly ImportantExtremely or Highly ImportantAmenity/Service ScoreFreshness of farm's or business' products 86Learning about how products are grown 73On-site restrooms 72Easy transportation access 72Adequate parking 71Pricing of products 70Farm scenery 64Admission or user fees 60Product samples 56Seating 43Opportunity to pet or care for animals 41Picnic areas 40Food and Drink for purchase 32Crafts or souvenirs 20

Jensen, et. al. 2006


School Teachers Look ForSchool Teachers Look For

UT Extension PB1669

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Definitions…Definitions…ac·ci·dent

1. a: an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance

b: lack of intention or necessity: chance <met by accident rather than by design>


Definitions…Definitions…

ac·ci·dent2. a: an unfortunate event resulting especially from

carelessness or ignoranceb: an unexpected and medically important bodily event

especially when injurious <a cerebrovascular accident>

c: an unexpected happening causing loss or injury which is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person injured but for which legal relief may be sought


Definitions…Definitions…

chance1. a: something that happens unpredictably without

discernible human intention or observable causeb: the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of

unaccountable happenings: luck


Put it in PerspectivePut it in Perspective

If it can be prevented, it’s not an accident!If it can be predicted, it can be prevented.

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Put it in PerspectivePut it in Perspective

If the child falls off and is run over,is it an accident?


ConcernsConcernsGeneral safety:

• Developing safety & emergency response plans

• OSHA requirements

• Hazardous Occupations Training & Recordkeeping

• Inspections and repairs

• Employee training

Customer safety:

• Traffic / pedestrian safety

• Transporting guests

• Securing hazardous areas & attractive nuisances

• Food safety

• Inclement weather

• Fire safety

• Emergency response

• Insurance


Develop a Safety PlanDevelop a Safety PlanAll businesses need written safety plans:

– Who is responsible– What is to be done– Employee training– Inspections and corrective actions– Records of injuries– Emergency response plan


OSHA RequirementsOSHA Requirements• 29 CFR 1928 – Standards for Agriculture

– Applies to production agriculture

• 29 CFR 1910 – Standards for General Industry– Applies to most industries

• Including the non-production aspects of agri-tourism operations

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General Duty ClauseGeneral Duty Clause


Hazardous OccupationsHazardous Occupations• US Dept of Labor Wage & Hour Div.

– not OSHA– no exemptions– Significant Federal fines

• Rules for employment of 14-15 year olds in agriculture

– tasks that can & can’t be performed– training required– recordkeeping


Regular InspectionsRegular Inspections• All areas at least annually

– before using machines, buildings, etc.

• Public areas daily– before opening to public

• Keep written records– findings & needs– repairs & improvements


Regular InspectionsRegular Inspections

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Ingress / EgressIngress / Egress• Appropriate signs• Driveway markers• Guardrails• Trim back weeds, bushes, trees, etc.• Have highway dept. post warning signs• Hire off-duty deputy at peak times


Parking & Traffic AreasParking & Traffic Areas• Adequate parking• Well drained• Gravel drives to

prevent stuck vehicles• Lighting for safety• Accessible parking for

disabled guests


Parking & Traffic AreasParking & Traffic Areas• Adequate parking• Well drained• Gravel drives to

prevent stuck vehicles• Lighting for safety• Accessible parking for

disabled guests


Safe Pedestrian AreasSafe Pedestrian Areas• Prevent trips and falls

– fill holes!• Clearly designated

– pathways– restricted areas

• Adequate lighting• Accessible

– strollers, wheelchairs, walkers, elderly, etc.

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Clearly Defined Danger ZonesClearly Defined Danger ZonesAll areas that present hazards must be designated and access restricted

– proper signage as required by laws– locked doors– fences– temporary barricades– staff stationed at critical areas


AnimalsAnimalsKeep dogs penned or chained

– people and dogs may not always act as expected

– some people are afraid– some people must use

service animals


AnimalsAnimalsKeep dogs penned or chained

– people and dogs may not always act as expected

– some people are afraid– some people must use

service animals


AnimalsAnimals

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Attractive NuisancesAttractive Nuisances5 elements:

a) area children are likely to trespass,

b) possessor knows or has reason to know of unreasonable risk of death or serious bodily harm,

c) children are unaware of the risk,d) burden of eliminating the danger

and utility of maintaining condition are slight compared with the risk, and

e) possessor fails to exercise reasonable care to eliminate the risk.


Attractive NuisancesAttractive Nuisances• Animals• Barns• Hay stacks, etc.• Water bodies• Machinery• ATVs• Bee hives• Construction sites


Food and DrinkFood and Drink• Follow food safety principles

– Temp above 140F or below 40F– Prevent cross-contamination

• Train all workers• Hand washing facilities for guests• Permitted & Inspected

by Health Department


BiosecurityBiosecurityMinimize spread of diseases

– From farm to farm– From animals to humans

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Protection from WeatherProtection from Weather• Heat• Cold• Rain• Severe weather

– Lighting– Severe Thunderstorm– Tornado– Flood


Protection from WeatherProtection from Weather• Get alerts

– NOAA Weather Radio• SAME encoding

– Weather websites– Radio/TV

• Have a plan– Designated shelters– Notify employees and

guests


Fire SafetyFire Safety• No Smoking!!!

Except designated areas

• Special concerns:– Fuel storage– Hay storage– Electrical– Cooking stoves / grills


Fire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers• Right type for the location

– Best is A•B•C multi-purpose dry chemical

• Multiple locations• Inspect them regularly• Train employees to use them

Do not test by discharging extinguishers!

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Fire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers


Life Safety CodesLife Safety Codes• Safe occupancy limits

• All areas have at least 2 exit routes– clearly marked– clear and usable– proper doors and latches– proper alarms

Remember the fatal night club fires?


First AidFirst Aid• Must have an emergency response plan

• Have CPR & First Aid trained staffon site at all times

• Have a well-equipped First Aid kit


Emergency CommunicationsEmergency CommunicationsPost emergency info at

– each phone– each assembly area

Clear & concise:– emergency phone numbers– site address

9•1•1 street address– turn-by-turn driving directions

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TransportationTransportation• Avoid transporting guests• Use appropriate vehicles:

– avoid wagons and trailers


TransportationTransportation





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TransportationTransportationIf you must use wagons:

– tractor must weigh more than GTW

wagon 2,000 lb30 adults @ 180 lb 5,400 lb

8,000 lb



– use locking coupler / hitch pin– safety chains required– trailer brakes recommended – front & rear end rails and proper seating required– steps / handrails / assistance getting on & off



– stay off public roads– operate smoothly to avoid jostling passengers– shift into right gear before entering slopes– stay off slippery slopes– operator must use seat belt with ROPS


Farm StructuresFarm Structures• Barns• Silos• Grain / feed bins• Feeding areas• Manure pits / lagoons• Hay storage• Machinery storage

• Milk tanks• Milking parlor• Calf barns• Fuel storage• Pesticide storage• Anhydrous ammonia• Tool sheds

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Farm StructuresFarm Structures• Identify and secure off-limits areas

– Install warning signs– Keep locked


InsuranceInsuranceWhat is the purpose of insurance?

– Restore injured party– Protect your assets

But, insurance will not…– Prevent injuries or property damage– Protect you from being sued


InsuranceInsuranceMeet in person with agent and ask:

– exactly what is covered, excluded?– how will claims be handled?– what can guests filing a claim expect?

• What is the process?• What timeframe until claims are paid?


ResourcesResources• UT Extension Service

extension.tennessee.edu• NIOSH Ag Safety Database

www.niosh.gov/nasd• OSHA

www.osha.gov• Insurance companies• Fire / law enforcement departments• Machinery manufacturers• Associations

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DiscussionDiscussion

Documents

AgriTourism SafetyMatters 2016 v20160210 Pick TN... · 2016. 4. 7. · your interpretation and application of that advice Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Dept. Are You Prepared?