chapter 7: safety and emergency action plans. safety safety in the workplace should be everyone’s...

Chapter 7: Safety and Chapter 7: Safety and Emergency Action PlansEmergency Action Plans

SafetySafety

• Safety in the workplace should be everyone’s concern. Safety in the workplace should be everyone’s concern.

• Communication between supervisors and employees Communication between supervisors and employees generates ideas and safety awareness that leads to generates ideas and safety awareness that leads to accident prevention. accident prevention.

• Safety programs, safety manuals, and safety meetings Safety programs, safety manuals, and safety meetings are essential in providing the lines of communication are essential in providing the lines of communication that lead to a safe, accident-free workplace.that lead to a safe, accident-free workplace.

SafetySafetyDangerous Gases:Dangerous Gases:

• Dangerous situations can be associated with five Dangerous situations can be associated with five main gases that are produced in livestock and poultry main gases that are produced in livestock and poultry buildings and manure storage structures. buildings and manure storage structures.

• Agitation of stored manure can also release a large Agitation of stored manure can also release a large amount of gases in a short time period.amount of gases in a short time period.

SafetySafety Dangerous Gases:Dangerous Gases:

SafetySafety First Aid for Victims of Manure-Gas-Asphyxiation:First Aid for Victims of Manure-Gas-Asphyxiation:

• Do not attempt to rescue a victim from a hazardous Do not attempt to rescue a victim from a hazardous gas situation unless you are protected with a supplied gas situation unless you are protected with a supplied air-breathing apparatus. air-breathing apparatus.

• Have someone telephone for an emergency medical Have someone telephone for an emergency medical (rescue) squad, informing them there is a “victim of (rescue) squad, informing them there is a “victim of toxic gas asphyxiation.”toxic gas asphyxiation.”

SafetySafety Safety Precautions with Manure Storage:Safety Precautions with Manure Storage:

• Do not enter a manure pit unless following Do not enter a manure pit unless following procedures for entering a confined space.procedures for entering a confined space.

• When agitating a manure storage structure, always When agitating a manure storage structure, always have at least one additional person available to seek have at least one additional person available to seek help if trouble occurs.help if trouble occurs.

• Properly designed and operated ventilation systems Properly designed and operated ventilation systems can reduce the concentration of gases. can reduce the concentration of gases.


• Construct lids for manure pits and tanks. If an open, Construct lids for manure pits and tanks. If an open, ground-level tank or pit is necessary, build a fence ground-level tank or pit is necessary, build a fence around it and post with “Keep Out” and around it and post with “Keep Out” and “Danger“DangerManure Storage” signs.Manure Storage” signs.

• Get help before attempting to rescue livestock that Get help before attempting to rescue livestock that have fallen into a manure storage structure.have fallen into a manure storage structure.


• Build railings along all walkways or piers of open Build railings along all walkways or piers of open manure storage structures.manure storage structures.

• Never leave a ladder standing against an above-Never leave a ladder standing against an above-ground tank.ground tank.

• All push-off platforms need a barrier strong enough All push-off platforms need a barrier strong enough to stop a slow-moving tractor.to stop a slow-moving tractor.


• If possible, remove animals from buildings before If possible, remove animals from buildings before agitating manure stored in in-house pits. Otherwise:agitating manure stored in in-house pits. Otherwise:

– if the building is mechanically ventilated, turn fans on full if the building is mechanically ventilated, turn fans on full capacity before starting agitation capacity before starting agitation

– if the building is naturally ventilated, do not agitate unless if the building is naturally ventilated, do not agitate unless there is a brisk breezethere is a brisk breezewatch animals closely when watch animals closely when beginning to agitate, and turn off the pump at the first sign beginning to agitate, and turn off the pump at the first sign of trouble of trouble


• If manure storage is outside the livestock building, If manure storage is outside the livestock building, use a water trap or other device to prevent gases from use a water trap or other device to prevent gases from the storage structure from entering the building.the storage structure from entering the building.

• During agitation, if an animal becomes affected by During agitation, if an animal becomes affected by toxic gases, do not try to rescue it.toxic gases, do not try to rescue it.


• Don’t smoke, weld, or use an open flame in Don’t smoke, weld, or use an open flame in confined, poorly ventilated areas where methane can confined, poorly ventilated areas where methane can accumulate.accumulate.

• Keep all guards and safety shields on all mechanical Keep all guards and safety shields on all mechanical equipment such as pumps, manure spreaders, and equipment such as pumps, manure spreaders, and irrigation equipment.irrigation equipment.

SafetySafety Vehicle Safety:Vehicle Safety:

• Only trained operators should operate the vehicles. Only trained operators should operate the vehicles.

• The driver of the vehicle should inspect the vehicle The driver of the vehicle should inspect the vehicle prior to operating it.prior to operating it.

SafetySafety Vehicle SafetyVehicle SafetyPower Take-Off (PTO):Power Take-Off (PTO):

• Refer to the safety section of owner’s manual.Refer to the safety section of owner’s manual.

• Stay clear of rear of vehicle during operation.Stay clear of rear of vehicle during operation.

• Do not wear loose fitting clothing, scarves, or Do not wear loose fitting clothing, scarves, or jewelry that could get caught in the PTO.jewelry that could get caught in the PTO.

• Tie back long hair.Tie back long hair.

SafetySafety Vehicle SafetyVehicle SafetyHydraulic Systems:Hydraulic Systems:

• Do not open pressurized lines. Hydraulic fluid can cause Do not open pressurized lines. Hydraulic fluid can cause severe burns, eye injury, or skin irritation.severe burns, eye injury, or skin irritation.

• Search for leaks in the line using a piece of cardboard or Search for leaks in the line using a piece of cardboard or wood, not your hands.wood, not your hands.

• If anyone is injured by hydraulic fluid, administer first If anyone is injured by hydraulic fluid, administer first aid, then contact a physician.aid, then contact a physician.

• Stay clear of leaky hydraulic lines.Stay clear of leaky hydraulic lines.

SafetySafety Electrical Safety:Electrical Safety:

• All employees must lock-out/tag-out any piece of All employees must lock-out/tag-out any piece of equipment they are working on where the unexpected equipment they are working on where the unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy energization, startup, or release of stored energy could occur. could occur.

• Do not attempt to pull a victim away from the Do not attempt to pull a victim away from the electrical source with your bare hands.electrical source with your bare hands.

SafetySafety Responsibilities of the Site Supervisor:Responsibilities of the Site Supervisor:

• Establish and supervise an accident prevention program Establish and supervise an accident prevention program and a training program.and a training program.

• Conduct preliminary investigations to determine the cause Conduct preliminary investigations to determine the cause of any accident that results in injury. of any accident that results in injury.

• Establish and maintain a system for maintaining records of Establish and maintain a system for maintaining records of occupational injuries and illnesses.occupational injuries and illnesses.

• Provide new employees with a safety orientation on the Provide new employees with a safety orientation on the special hazards and precautions of any new job.special hazards and precautions of any new job.

SafetySafety Responsibilities of the Site Supervisor:Responsibilities of the Site Supervisor:

• Issue necessary safety equipment and manuals. Issue necessary safety equipment and manuals.

• Conduct periodic group safety meetings to discuss:Conduct periodic group safety meetings to discuss:– procedures for reporting injuriesprocedures for reporting injuries– procedures for reporting unsafe conditions or practicesprocedures for reporting unsafe conditions or practices– use and care of personal protective equipmentuse and care of personal protective equipment– proper actions to be taken in the event of emergenciesproper actions to be taken in the event of emergencies– identification of hazardous gases, chemicals, or materialsidentification of hazardous gases, chemicals, or materials– instructions on safe use of hazardous gases, chemicals, or instructions on safe use of hazardous gases, chemicals, or

materials and emergency procedures following exposurematerials and emergency procedures following exposure

SafetySafety

There should be a person available at all times with first aid training in: • bleeding control and bleeding control and

bandagingbandaging• artificial respiration, artificial respiration,

including mouth-to-mouth including mouth-to-mouth resuscitationresuscitation

• poisonspoisons• shock, unconsciousness, shock, unconsciousness,

stroke stroke • burnsburns

• sunstroke, heat exhaustionsunstroke, heat exhaustion• frostbite, hypothermiafrostbite, hypothermia• strains, sprains, herniastrains, sprains, hernia• fractures, dislocationsfractures, dislocations• bites, stingsbites, stings• transportation of the injuredtransportation of the injured• specific health hazards likely specific health hazards likely

to be encountered by co-to be encountered by co-workersworkers

SafetySafety Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the EmployerEmployer::

• The employer should furnish to each of his employees a The employer should furnish to each of his employees a workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause serious injury or death.serious injury or death.

• The employer should furnish and use safety devices and The employer should furnish and use safety devices and practices that are reasonably adequate to render the practices that are reasonably adequate to render the employee workplace safe. employee workplace safe.

• No employer should require an employee to be in any No employer should require an employee to be in any workplace that is not safe.workplace that is not safe.

SafetySafety Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the EmployeeEmployee::

• Each employee should keep themselves informed of Each employee should keep themselves informed of the safety manual provided by the employer.the safety manual provided by the employer.

• Each employee should perform their duties so as to Each employee should perform their duties so as to provide safety to themselves and other employees.provide safety to themselves and other employees.

• An employee should request instruction from the site An employee should request instruction from the site supervisor if there is a question as to the safe supervisor if there is a question as to the safe performance of an assigned task.performance of an assigned task.

SafetySafety Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the EmployeeEmployee::

• Each employee should wear clothing that is suitable Each employee should wear clothing that is suitable for the job performed.for the job performed.

• Each employee is responsible to report to the site Each employee is responsible to report to the site supervisor any unsafe condition, acts, or hazards.supervisor any unsafe condition, acts, or hazards.

• Each employee should wear appropriate personal Each employee should wear appropriate personal protective equipment.protective equipment.

SafetySafety Personal Protective Equipment:Personal Protective Equipment:

• Employees should use the appropriate personal protective Employees should use the appropriate personal protective equipment:equipment:– hard hats should be worn when appropriatehard hats should be worn when appropriate

– hearing protection should be usedhearing protection should be used

– eye protection should be worn when operating shop tools, and when eye protection should be worn when operating shop tools, and when working around chemicalsworking around chemicals

– safety belts/seat belts should be worn at all times in vehiclessafety belts/seat belts should be worn at all times in vehicles

– approved welding goggles or helmets and gloves should be worn approved welding goggles or helmets and gloves should be worn while welding, cutting, or bothwhile welding, cutting, or both

SafetySafety Lifting and Carrying:Lifting and Carrying:

• Everyone should observe the following guidelines to avoid Everyone should observe the following guidelines to avoid possible injury when lifting and carrying objects:possible injury when lifting and carrying objects:– set your feet far enough apart to provide good balance and stabilityset your feet far enough apart to provide good balance and stability

– get as close to the load as practical, bending your legs at the get as close to the load as practical, bending your legs at the kneesknees

– straighten your legs to lift the objectstraighten your legs to lift the object

– do not carry loads above peopledo not carry loads above people

– do not stand under a suspended load or boomdo not stand under a suspended load or boom

SafetySafety Personal Hygiene:Personal Hygiene:

• Good personal hygiene is very important!Good personal hygiene is very important!– keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, eyes, and ears to avoid keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, eyes, and ears to avoid

ingestion of wastewateringestion of wastewater

– nonpermeable gloves should be worn when handling any equipment covered nonpermeable gloves should be worn when handling any equipment covered with wastewater or residualswith wastewater or residuals

– special care should be taken to keep any area of broken skin covered to special care should be taken to keep any area of broken skin covered to avoid possible infectionavoid possible infection

– wash hands thoroughly with soap before smoking, eating, drinking, or after wash hands thoroughly with soap before smoking, eating, drinking, or after workwork

– work clothing should be changed and washed dailywork clothing should be changed and washed daily

SafetySafety Working in a Confined Space:Working in a Confined Space:

• A confined space is defined as a space that has limited means of A confined space is defined as a space that has limited means of entry and exit, has an adequate size and configuration for employee entry and exit, has an adequate size and configuration for employee entry, and is not designed for continuous worker occupancy. entry, and is not designed for continuous worker occupancy.

• The tanks designed for storage, transport, and application of wastes The tanks designed for storage, transport, and application of wastes are classified as confined spaces. are classified as confined spaces.

• Under new Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Under new Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) regulations, there are certain confined spaces that require a permit regulations, there are certain confined spaces that require a permit for entry. for entry.


• A permit-required confined space has one or more of the A permit-required confined space has one or more of the following characteristics:following characteristics:– contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmospherecontains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere

– contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrantentrant

– has an integral configuration such that an entrant could be has an integral configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly-converging wallstrapped or asphyxiated by inwardly-converging walls

– contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazardcontains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard


• When working in a space that does not require a When working in a space that does not require a confined space permit, the following safety actions confined space permit, the following safety actions must be taken:must be taken:– always assign a standby person to remain on the outside always assign a standby person to remain on the outside

of the confined spaceof the confined space

– wear ear protection, as neededwear ear protection, as needed

– use only an air-supplying respirator, such as a self-use only an air-supplying respirator, such as a self-contained breathing apparatuscontained breathing apparatus

Emergency Action PlanEmergency Action Plan

• Emergency action plans are required to meet current animal Emergency action plans are required to meet current animal waste management regulations. waste management regulations.

• This plan will be implemented in the event that wastes from This plan will be implemented in the event that wastes from your operation are:your operation are:– leakingleaking

– overflowingoverflowing

– running off the siterunning off the site

• You should NOT wait until wastes reach surface waters or You should NOT wait until wastes reach surface waters or leave your property to consider that you have a problem. leave your property to consider that you have a problem.


• Your Emergency Action Plan should follow this Your Emergency Action Plan should follow this format:format:– stop the release of wastesstop the release of wastes– assess the extent of the spill and note any obvious assess the extent of the spill and note any obvious

damagesdamages– contact appropriate agenciescontact appropriate agencies– implement procedures as advised implement procedures as advised

Emergency Action PlanEmergency Action PlanStop the Release of Wastes: Stop the Release of Wastes:

• Lagoon overflowLagoon overflowpossible solutions are:possible solutions are:– add soil to berm to increase elevation of damadd soil to berm to increase elevation of dam

– pump wastes to fields at an acceptable ratepump wastes to fields at an acceptable rate

– stop all additional flow to the lagoonstop all additional flow to the lagoon

– call a pumping contractorcall a pumping contractor

– make sure no surface water is entering lagoonmake sure no surface water is entering lagoon

• These activities should be started when your lagoon level has These activities should be started when your lagoon level has exceeded the temporary storage level.exceeded the temporary storage level.


• Runoff from waste application fieldRunoff from waste application fieldactions includeactions include::

– immediately stop waste applicationimmediately stop waste application

– create a temporary diversion or berm to contain the waste on the fieldcreate a temporary diversion or berm to contain the waste on the field

– incorporate waste to reduce further runoffincorporate waste to reduce further runoff

– evaluate and eliminate the reason(s) that caused the runoffevaluate and eliminate the reason(s) that caused the runoff

– evaluate the application rates for the fields where runoff occurredevaluate the application rates for the fields where runoff occurred


• Leakage from the waste distribution system:Leakage from the waste distribution system:

– pipes and sprinklerspipes and sprinklersactions include:actions include:

• stop recycle (flushing system) pumpstop recycle (flushing system) pump

• stop irrigation pumpstop irrigation pump

• close valves to eliminate further dischargeclose valves to eliminate further discharge

• separate pipes to create an air gap and stop flowseparate pipes to create an air gap and stop flow

• repair all leaks prior to restarting pumpsrepair all leaks prior to restarting pumps


• Leakage from base or sidewall of lagoon or earthen Leakage from base or sidewall of lagoon or earthen storage structure:storage structure:

– dig a small well or ditch to catch all seepage, put in a dig a small well or ditch to catch all seepage, put in a submersible pump, and pump back into lagoonsubmersible pump, and pump back into lagoon

– if holes are caused by burrowing animals, trap or remove if holes are caused by burrowing animals, trap or remove animals and fill holes and compact with a clay type soilanimals and fill holes and compact with a clay type soil

– other holes may be likewise temporarily plugged with other holes may be likewise temporarily plugged with clay soilclay soil

Emergency Action PlanEmergency Action PlanAssess the Extent of the Spill:Assess the Extent of the Spill:

• Did the waste reach any surface waters?Did the waste reach any surface waters?

• Approximately how much was released and for what Approximately how much was released and for what duration?duration?

• Any damage noted, such as employee injury, fish kills, Any damage noted, such as employee injury, fish kills, or property damage?or property damage?

• Did the spill leave the property?Did the spill leave the property?

• Does the spill have the potential to reach surface waters?Does the spill have the potential to reach surface waters?

Emergency Action PlanEmergency Action PlanContact Appropriate Agencies:Contact Appropriate Agencies:

• During normal business hours, call your DWQ During normal business hours, call your DWQ regional office; after hours, call 1-800-858-0368. regional office; after hours, call 1-800-858-0368.

• Your phone call should include: Your phone call should include:

– the exact location of the the exact location of the facilityfacility

– the location or direction of the location or direction of movement of the spillmovement of the spill

– what corrective measures what corrective measures have been undertakenhave been undertaken

– your nameyour name– facilityfacility– telephone numbertelephone number– the details of the incidentthe details of the incident

Emergency Action PlanEmergency Action PlanContact Appropriate Agencies:Contact Appropriate Agencies:

• If spill leaves property or enters surface waters, call local EMS (see Appendix A).If spill leaves property or enters surface waters, call local EMS (see Appendix A).

• Instruct EMS to contact local Health Department.Instruct EMS to contact local Health Department.

• Contact CES, local SWCD office, and local NRCS office for advice/technical Contact CES, local SWCD office, and local NRCS office for advice/technical assistance.assistance.

• If none of the above works, call 911 or the Sheriff’s Department and explain your If none of the above works, call 911 or the Sheriff’s Department and explain your problem to them. Ask them to contact the agencies as listed above.problem to them. Ask them to contact the agencies as listed above.

Emergency Action PlanEmergency Action PlanImplement Procedures:Implement Procedures:

• Implement procedures as advised by DWQ and technical assistance agencies Implement procedures as advised by DWQ and technical assistance agencies to:to:

– rectify the damagerectify the damage

– repair the systemrepair the system

– reassess the waste management plan to keep problems with release of wastes from reassess the waste management plan to keep problems with release of wastes from happening againhappening again


• The emergency action plan must include provisions for The emergency action plan must include provisions for emergency spreading or transfer of waste from all waste emergency spreading or transfer of waste from all waste storage structures in the system. storage structures in the system.

• This may include emergency pumping or spreading during This may include emergency pumping or spreading during periods when the soil or crop conditions are not conducive periods when the soil or crop conditions are not conducive to normal spreading or application. to normal spreading or application.

• DWQ must be contacted for guidance to land apply waste in DWQ must be contacted for guidance to land apply waste in this instance. You should consider which fields are best able this instance. You should consider which fields are best able to handle the waste without further environmental damage. to handle the waste without further environmental damage.


• The emergency action plan should be available and understood The emergency action plan should be available and understood by all employees at the facility.by all employees at the facility.

• It is the responsibility of the owner or manager of the facility that It is the responsibility of the owner or manager of the facility that all employees understand what circumstances constitute a danger all employees understand what circumstances constitute a danger to the environment or health and safety of workers and neighbors. to the environment or health and safety of workers and neighbors.

chapter 7: safety and emergency action plans. safety safety in the workplace should be everyone’s...

Documents

safety safety precautions

safety manuals

safety programs

safety awareness

safety meetings

manure storage structures

safety dangerous gases

manure pits