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Greetings!
Equipment. Equipment breakdowns. Driver safety. Necessary inspections. Industry compliance.
Business losses.
According to the National Safety Council, agriculture is the most hazardous industry in the United States. Regardless of the sector of agriculture, establishing a safe operation is accomplished by performing hazard assessments and improving health and safety practices.
Setting safety standards in an operation involves purposing to search out and eliminate or reduce hazards and involves behaviors that avoid hazards and serve as a method of preventing injuries.
Increasing safety standards also involves safety training for all workers and meeting requirements set forth by governing safety administrations.
YOU are the key to agriculture success. YOU are the key to agriculture safety.
TACT - Dedicated Insurance Professionals
you know and trust...like Family.
Sincerely,
Stoney Jackson
Executive Director
Texas Ag Co-op Trust
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1. Equipment You Depend On
Motors, presses and other mechanical equipment drive your business. If your equipment breaks down, you're shut down. And, if a breakdown happens during the height of the ginning season - you'll have a real dent in your income. Not to mention, repair expenses can pile up, putting you even further in the red.
2. Equipment Breakdown Insurance Covers More Than Just Repairs
Equipment Breakdown insurance helps protect you from the costs associated with losses to your cotton ginning equipment: It pays for:
- Direct property loss - the cost to repair or replace the damaged equipment.
- Costs associated with the time and labor to repair or replace the equipment.
- Other expenses incurred to limit the loss or speed restoration of your operations.
- Business recovery expenses.
Equipment Breakdown insurance covers the physical damage - and the financial damage - stemming from insured equipment failure.
3. Protection From Damage Caused By:
- Short circuit/electrical arcing
- Power surges
- Mechanical breakdown
- Motor burnout
4. Equipment Breakdown Insurance Covers Many Types of Equipment
Mechanical Equipment Cotton gin motors are subject to breakdown due to the stressful long hours of operation. Dust build-up and lint residue can cause short circuiting or electrical arcing that can shut the motors down. And the stresses created by the cotton being pulled through the gin grates can weaken the machine's metal parts and cause cracking.
Hydraulic PressesHydraulic press parts are prone to cracking due to the repeated stresses associated with squeezing the lint into tightly compressed bales. In addition, lint dust can contaminate hydraulic and lubricating oils putting undue strain on the machinery.
Electrical Distribution Systems. Since electrical panels, circuit breakers and cables are all interconnected, a short circuit in one part can spread to other parts of the system. Given that your mechanical and hydraulic equipment are electrically powered, one seemingly isolated electrical problem can shut down your business. The cause can be as simple as a loose connection, dust or moisture. An electrical system repair can take weeks to complete and cost thousands of dollars.
Business Equipment. Equipment breakdown insurance covers more than just the cotton gin press and the associated equipment. It provides insurance for office computers, air conditioning units, telephone equipment and much more.
5. Still not convinced? Consider these losses.
The following are actual losses and the coverage provided for cotton gin businesses like yours.
- Broken bale ejector:$ 12,872
- Circuit malfunction on a press:$ 15,581
- Press ram damaged seals:$ 17,362
- Main switchboard burnout:$137,065
- Ram on press failed: $ 48,000
6. Maintenance is Key to Preventing breakdowns
Insurance can protect you from the losses associated with a breakdown. But wouldn't you rather avoid a breakdown all together? Proper maintenance is the answer. By taking some simple steps you can help lessen the likelihood of a breakdown.
Clean presses regularly. Clean and examine all major components for cracking. If you see any indications of crack formation, test the area with a dye penetrant and schedule any needed repairs immediately. Timely repair can prevent disrupted production later.
Inspect your electrical systems. Have a licensed electrician or electrical contractor inspect, clean and tighten your electrical system. Schedule inspections at regular intervals. Have any needed repairs completed immediately.
Test machinery oils. Take samples of lubricating and hydraulic oils and test for metallic contaminants. Evidence of metal in the oil may indicate that the machine is in danger of failing. If metallic contaminants are found, schedule repairs now to avoid the possibility of extended disruption later. |
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Custom Applicator Driving Safety
alarming trends
Application equipment accident trends are up. We are seeing more and more accidents in the field as well as a dramatic increase in on-the-road accidents. And no wonder, the equipment is larger than ever before, covering more acres then ever before. Additionally, GPS and auto steer technology have taken what used to be a "daylight" operation and turned it into a "round-the-clock" operation. Is there hope? Absolutely, but only if we understand the characteristics of the equipment and the limitations of the operator.
Important to Note: Manufacturers have built and continue to build some amazing custom application equipment to meet the demand for greater productivity. These machines are purpose-built to cover the acres in a hurry.
Take a few minutes now to consider the hazards that the
operation of this equipment creates for you as the operator and to the motoring public.
Important to Note: Some of the stress factors outlined in a University of Minnesota study of over 2,000 custom application operators were:
Customers with unrealistic expectations;
Lack of time for family, friends, self;
Lack of sleep;
Lack of communication w/ coworkers, managers & family; and
Increased complexity of equipment
and products.
Stress & Fatigue Management Techniques There are many stressful aspects of your job that you can not control. However, the following are
some of the ways you can reduce the stress factors:
1. Eat right, eat often. You wouldn't dream of heading out with a tank of low-grade, lousy quality fuel
in your equipment.
During the busy season, avoid fast foods and junk foods;
Never go without eating, take healthy snacks (fruits, granola, nuts, power bars, etc.); and
Drink lots of water.
2. Have someone else tackle home chores. Those people close to you would rather pitch in now,
than if you are injured or killed due to an accident caused by stress or fatigue. Plan for help so downtime at home can be spent resting and enjoying your family.
3. Pre-season team meeting with your family. Make sure your family understands the demands of your job. Work weeks during the peak season can average 6 or 7 days and 100 or more hours.
Talk with the people in your life well in advance and discuss ways to work together as a team. Make sure important family events get on your and your manager's calendars.
4. Get moving. Exercise, especially during the off season, can prepare you for the long strenuous
days of work during the peak season. As little as a brisk walk daily can have tremendous stressrelieving effects, leaving you less worn out at day's end.
5. Keep your sense of humor. Simple laughter in the face of an adverse situation actually helps break the cycle of stress. Early communication of stressful issues will help to defuse any miscommunication and scheduling concerns. Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Always read the operator manual and understand
maintenance requirements, service schedule and
safety instructions.
Know your responsibility for preventative maintenance
in the field.
Stop the engine, remove the key (lock out) and dissipate any stored energy (hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and gravity) prior to any hands-on inspection or
service work.
Report any maintenance concerns at first notice.
Clean equipment after use.
Keep steps and platform clean (Always enter and exit facing the vehicle with three points of contact).
Equipment pre-trip inspections should include the following steps:
1. Fluid levels, hoses, belts
2. Interior lights, dials and gauges
3. Road & field lights (additional strobe or flashing lights if allowed in your area increase your visibility to others also make sure warning lights and markers are positioned on outside edges of oversized equipment)
4. Keep the windows and mirrors clean and mirrors properly adjusted
5. Test the Horn, steering and brakes
6. No loose equipment or supplies at risk of falling off
7. Sprayer tank fill and drain valves closed and leak free
8. Emergency numbers, first aid kit, fire extinguisher Safe Operation on the Road Limited Visibility: The physical characteristics of custom application equipment can limit side and rear
visibility. Understand the increased hazard to you and others on the road caused by your limited view.
Poor Road Handling Characteristics: Application equipment is designed primarily for off-road use.
Braking systems and steering components are not designed for panic maneuvers or quick stops. A
high center of gravity is the result of the high clearance needs of row-crop equipment and the threewheeled configuration of other equipment. Additionally, shifting loads and high rotating mass of offroad tires add to the potential for accidents.
For your safety:
1. Always wear your seatbelt. You are always safer in the cab and in the correct position to operate the controls.
2. Keep windows and mirrors clean and properly adjusted.
3. Recognize the handling limitations of the vehicle. Slow down!
4. Obey all traffic signs, signals, and other rules of the road. Your vehicle takes up more than your
share of the lane. Be courteous to other drivers and watch for other large vehicles or vehicles that
misjudge your size. Adjust your speed and lane position as needed. Utilize your horn and/or flash
your lights to gain the attention of an oncoming motorist as needed.
5. Check your mirrors often, every 2 to 5 seconds. Lean forward and backward in your seat to reduce the size of your blind spots.
6. Do not allow yourself to be distracted. Do not use your cell phone or operate other electronic devices while in motion. Your full attention to the driving task is required.
7. Consider the addition of boom mounted convex mirrors to reduce side and rear blind spots.
8. When practical, trailer your equipment to the field. Make sure this is done in compliance with your state and local requirements.
9. Drive defensively with an extra cushion of safety around your vehicle. Safe Operation in the Field 1. Always wear your seatbelt.
2. Keep your windows clean.
3. Keep the steps and platform clean of dirt, mud and debris.
4. Don't blindly trust auto-steer and GPS technology. Be on the lookout for rocks, waterways, culverts, tile intakes and ditches. Also keep your booms away from high-line poles, communication pedestals, utility stations and other field obstacles.
5. If you have an accident involving a high-line pole or power station, stop immediately. If a wire or energized equipment has come in contact with your boom, any part of your equipment, or even the ground nearby, stay in your cab. Also advise anyone around you to stay clear until the lines can be de-energized.
6. Help your tender operator stay out of trouble. They face narrow driveways, high-line wires and mud holes. Their vehicles also have a high center of gravity and shifting loads. Help them watch out for high-voltage lines. Tender truck augers need to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead wires.
7. For night operation, make sure all your lights are operating properly. Reduce your speed to adjust
for limited visibility in dark and dusty situations.
8. Be aware of potential wet spots Ask your customer what areas of the field to avoid. If you start to get stuck, give up before you completely bury your equipment. Pulling out a "stuck" applicator can never be done without risk. Many fatalities and serious injuries have occurred
due to the recoil of a tensioned chain, rope, or cable when a failure occurred.
Never trust the farmer's towing devices. Only utilize your company's towing devices and always use extreme caution. Only attach to points approved by the equipment manufacturer. Also, if using more than one towing vehicle, hook them side by side.
Hooking them end to end puts too much stress on
the final towing device. If the equipment is more
than mildly stuck, bring out the professional tow
service before someone gets hurt. Their chains,
cables, clevises and pins are designed and tested
to handle the heavy load. Courtesy Berkley Agribusiness Risk Specialists |
Click here to see information
from the packet featured below.
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Berkley Agribusiness Risk Specialists
Gin Stock Floater
Available through Texas
Agribusiness Insurance
- Gin Premises and Field Coverage available
- High Aggregate limits per any one location
- High per yard limits
- Transit Coverage
- Baled Cotton coverage
- Baled Motes Coverage
- Cottonseed Coverage Available
- Organic Cotton Valuation Available
- Bagging and Ties Coverage
- Loss of Ginning Income coverage
Valuation
Seed Cotton and Baled Cotton-The value of "seed cotton" and baled cotton will be based upon the greater of:
a. the current Commodity Credit Corporation loan value; or
b. the nearest USDA Spot Market Quotation at the time of the loss.
No deductions will be made for expenses (ginning, hauling, etc.) that would have been charged had no loss occurred.
Claims
All claims handled locally by professional claims personnel.
Rates
Competitively priced per bale rates. $1,000 deposit up front balance invoiced after ginning season has been completed. No retro penalties for claims. Underwritten by A.M. Best A+ Insurance Company.
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OSHA Arrives
what to do
This article can also be found in the Property/Casualty section of TACT's website
1. The first thing to do is be prepared in advance. Know the location of your written safety programs, training, documentation, records, OSHA Logs, etc.
2. It is important to discuss 3rd party inspection procedures with staff prior to the day of an inspection. Identify a primary Point of Contact (POC).
3. If your POC is not at the location when OSHA arrives, ask the Compliance Officer to wait. It is acceptable for them to wait up to 30 minutes for your POC to arrive.
a. During the wait, make sure the Compliance Officer is in a conference room or office that doesn't show what is going on outside. By doing this you limit the Compliance Officer's ability to witness other items that are going on outside of the reason for their visit.
b. Do not leave safety programs, or other information that the Compliance Officer can look at while waiting.
c. While waiting do not discuss safety or employee related issues casually as they will be making mental notes, or even written, of what is being discussed.
4. The inspection is comprised of three primary parts:
a. The opening
b. The walkaround
c. The closing
5. At the opening provide an isolated, quiet, business room or area to have the opening discussion. In a friendly manner, if not provided, ask why the OSHA Compliance Officer has come to your site. They will typically provide the reason why they are at your business.
6. The walk around:
a. Never give a compliance officer a complete tour of your facility no matter how proud you are of the operation. Always ask the officer; what would you like to see next? Take them directly to that location.
b. Ask the Compliance Officer to wear head, eye, and/or ear protection where required. Wear the PPE yourself as well. It will say a lot about the company when management follows the rules too.
7. Stay with the OSHA Compliance Officer the entire time.
8. Duplicate all information OSHA gathers such as pictures, samples, etc.
9. If OSHA offers suggestions or points out unsafe acts or conditions as you are walking the work area, correct them immediately, if possible. It shows your good faith, but unfortunately you may still be cited in the final investigation report.
10. The Closing:
a. At the conclusion, go to an office area and review the findings with the compliance officer and ask what their intent and impression is. Take thorough notes during this conversation.
b. You will be asked to sign the OSHA 59 form.
11. Never argue with the Compliance Officer, even though you think the Officer may be wrong. Take notes and bring the issues up at the informal conference.
12. Informal Conference:
a. You have the right to an Informal Conference. By going to this conference it allows you to voice your concerns about the alleged violations and what you are doing to correct them.
b. It also allows you to negotiate for smaller penalty amounts, and change the status of your violation. (ex. "Serious" to "Other Than Serious").
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Safety News
Texas Cotton Ginners Association announces statewide safety seminars.
TCGA Regional Gin Safety Seminars Memorandum Letter
Informational Flyer
Registration Form
Natinal Grain and Feed Association
and Grain Journal Magazine
invite all facility managers and key employees in the grain handling, processing, milling, and feed industries to a day and a half conference Aug. 1-2
Click here for information and registration details.
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Employees' Use of Cellphones While Driving Becomes A
Liability for Companies
Courtesy The Washington Post
One was a lumber salesman who crippled a 78-year-old woman. Another was driving a toy company's van when he killed a college sophomore. When a cable company guy rammed a stopped car at 71 mph, a woman and her mother died. A driver in a company car didn't react when traffic slowed, rear-ending a Honda in a chain-reaction crash that killed a 32-year-old woman.
All four drivers were using their cellphones. At a time when the National Safety Council estimates that about one-quarter of all crashes involve cellphones or texting - about 1.2 million accidents a year - these four crashes had something else in common.
The companies that employed those drivers were sued. Distracted-driving lawsuits now are part of the legal landscape, and the lawyers who bring them are increasingly going after the deep pockets of corporations that let their employees talk or text while behind the wheel.
Juries are making it worth their while: One awarded $21.6 million to the Florida family of the Honda driver.
And a federal magistrate ordered an Alabama trucking company to pay $18 million for an accident that happened when one of its drivers reached for a cellphone.
Many corporations are eager to settle once they discover they are facing lawyers armed with the smoking gun of cellphone records.
The Arkansas lumber company whose salesman crippled the 78-year-old woman paid a $16.1 million settlement.
And International Paper settled for $5.2 million after an employee on a cellphone caused a collision that cost a woman her arm.
Todd Clements, a Texas lawyer who sued the cable company for the accident that killed two women, thinks companies are wise to settle without a jury trial.
"People think there's a good defense here by saying, 'Everybody does it," Clements said. "Well, that's not true, because the jury doesn't want everyone to do it. They just want to do it themselves. It's a huge disconnect."
Given the opportunity to play the scold, jurors are eager, Clement said, to punish corporations in what amounts to a primal act of self-preservation: By awarding huge amounts of money to plaintiffs, they encourage corporate bans on calling and texting.
Multiplying risks
David Teater, a transportation director at the National Safety Council, recently explored corporate liability in cases involving texting and cellphone use.
"There was a recent poll in California where fear of cellphone driving outranked drunk driving for the first time," said Teater, whose 12-year-old son was killed by a 20-year-old woman who drove her Hummer through a red light while using a cellphone.
Teater links corporate liability to research that shows drivers using cellphones are four times as likely to be involved in a crash.
"If an employer knew a behavior in some other aspect of the business put employees at four-times-greater risk of injury, would they still expect or even encourage that behavior?" he said. "It's a huge trend. It's a real liability for companies, a real risk."
Whether it's a company car, a company-issued phone or just an employee making a business call in a private car on a private phone, the corporation is within the reach of a distracted-driving lawyer.
This article is available on TACT's Facebook Page or by reading here.
To read more on health and news affecting you,
Like us on Facebook!
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Stoney - Walking the Walk
Stoney's update - July 3 weigh-in: Stoney has changed from weighing in every Tuesday morning to every other Tuesday morning. It has been two weeks since he last weighed in and on July 3 he weighed in at 228.6 pounds. Clean living and a happy life has casued him to add a few extra pounds this reporting period. 225 pounds is his ideal weight so he isn't very far off. He is reporting that even with the few extra pounds he hasn't added any inches. His clothes still fit and he continues to sleep better than he has in years, although this may be more to do with his happiness than his weight loss.
Note From Stoney:
Follow Stoney's progress on Facebook!
Healthful Hints:
Simple Tips for a
Healthy, Tasty Summer
Summer may bring to mind outdoor picnics with hot dogs and chips, but a Purdue University expert says the season also provides the perfect opportunity to plan delicious,
healthy meals.
"I think it's almost easier for people to eat healthfully during the warmer months than it is at any other time of year," says Laura Palmer, a Cooperative Extension Service specialist in foods and
nutrition and a registered dietitian. "The abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, combined with the chance to grill foods, offers many tasty alternatives to the high-fat foods we might associate with summer."
Palmer offers the following suggestions for making the most of summer with foods that are both appetizing and nutritious:
-- Be meat savvy. Choose lean cuts of beef, including round, sirloin and loin cuts. Tenderize the meat to increase flavor and texture without adding fat. Marinate in salsa, low-calorie salad dressing, wine or citrus juices.
"Grilled chicken breasts, turkey tenders and lamb kabobs also make great alternatives to high-sodium hot dogs and hamburgers," Palmer says.
-- Aim for variety. Kick up the health factor of grilling with vegetables and fruits. Cooking vegetables on the grill adds flavor. Make kabobs with fruit and grill on low heat until the fruit is hot and slightly golden. These healthy snacks also make consuming the recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake simple.
-- Dehydration. Don't forget to stay hydrated.
. "Water is the best option when temperatures soar, but you can add slices of lemons or strawberries for natural flavor," Palmer says.
-- Make eating healthy a priority this summer by focusing on simple snacks that don't take much prep work. Keep fresh berries in the refrigerator to add to salads, yogurt and ice creams. Wash fresh green beans to dip in yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese. Keep healthy extras, like lettuce and tomatoes, in your produce bin. Try homemade popsicles by freezing 100 percent juice. Cut up raw vegetables to serve with low-fat dips.
"Fruit smoothies are a snap to make. Just toss some fresh fruit, yogurt and milk in your blender," Palmer says. "Your options for healthy summer eating are limited only by your imagination."
This article can be found here
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Contact Us
Texas Ag Coop Trust
1802 East 50th St., Ste. 107
Lubbock, TX 79404
806-747-7894
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Texas Ag Coop Trust
Officers, Board of Trustees
George Reed, Chairman
United Farm Industries
Plainview, TX
Gregg Allen, Secretary
Olton Grain Coop
Olton, TX
Jim Turner
Dalhart Consumers Fuel Association
Dalhart, TX
Paul Wilson
United Cotton Growers
Levelland, TX
Cary Eubanks
Slaton Coop Gin
Slaton, TX
Dean Sasser
Farmers Coop Elevator
Levelland, TX
Bret Brown
Sunray Coop
Sunray, TX
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Texas Ag Coop Trust
is endorsed by:
Texas Grain & Feed
Association
Texas Cotton Ginners Association
 Texas Coop Marketing Exchange
Texas Corn Producers |
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