Managing Agricultural Emergencies - Michigan

Emergency Services Rescue Training, Inc.

Managing Agricultural Emergencies

Managing Tractor & Machinery Emergencies

Agricultural Rescue Training

• Introduction to Farm Emergencies

• Managing Tractor Emergencies

• Managing Machinery Entanglements

• Managing Farm Chemical Emergencies

• Farm Confined Spaces-Awareness

• Farm Confined Spaces-Operations

• Large Animal Rescue Training

• Introduction to Feed Mill and Grain Elevator Fires

• Managing Farm Silo Fires

Course Goal

To teach emergency service personnel (fire, rescue, EMS) how to properly stabilize a farm tractor and/or machine and efficiently perform rescue from a tractor or machinery related emergency.

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this 16-hour operations/technical level module, participants will have gained sufficient knowledge and skills to:1. Demonstrate the importance of and need for an incident

management system (ICS) at agricultural incidents.2. Describe why tractors and machinery are involved with

the majority of deaths on farms.3. List 3 ways deaths occur due to tractors and machinery on

the farm.4. List 2 ways that tractors turn over and explain why each

occurs. This includes being able to describe the physical properties (center of gravity) involved with tractor overturns.

Course Objectives

5. Understand how farm machines are powered and be able to describe 4 typical hazards of common farm machinery.

6. Demonstrate how to shut off and control a tractor’s engine and machine’s power source.

7. Demonstrate proper initial stability management by using proper cribbing and chocking techniques on an upset tractor with or without an attached implement.

8. Demonstrate during overturned scenarios how to build effective picket systems for establishing anchor points.

Course Objectives

9. Show effective use of a sling system or chains to secure wheels from movement prior to extrication efforts.

10. Demonstrate using A-frame systems, rams, mechanical jacks, hydraulic jacks, come-a-longs, ratchet straps, power winches and cribbing effective stabilization techniques to an overturned tractor on a slope.

11. Exhibit effective teamwork and proper patient care considerations (to the level of expertise present) during all simulated patient care scenarios.

Preparation

Dispatch / Response

Scene Size-up / ICS

Hazard Recognitionand Control

Support Operations

Access

Patient Assessment

and Care

Disentanglement

Extrication

Termination

The Life Cycle of Rescue

Tractors and machinery are involved with the majority of deaths on farms. Why???

Evolution of farm tractors

How old to drive?

Tractor Related Fatalities On The Farm

52

26

6

19

Overturn Run Over

PTO Other

Source: National Safety Council Injury Facts

Concerns? Toolbox?

Factors involved with a tractor overturn:

1. Center of gravity [COG]

2. Drawbar or hitch leverage

3. Rear axle torque

4. Centrifugal force

Stability baseline or “footprint”

Raised center of gravity

Widen the baseline

Contact area – Smaller Baseline

Normal

Baseline

High center of gravity

Stabilizers

Machines like this normally weigh anywhere from 20,000-45,000 lbs. While they have a wide baseline they still have a

high COG and it will change as hopper is being loaded.

Common widths of 10’ – 16’ and some can be even larger.

Car versus farm machine

Toolbox to lift/stabilize

Pivot point

Angle of pull

Pivot Point

Center of Gravity

Drawbar / Hitch Leverage

Pivot point

Center of Gravity

Proper Hitching

Pivot point

Greater angle of pull!

Pivot Point

COG when front rises.

The Center of gravity (COG) will shift to the near side of the axle when

power is applied and the front of the tractor rises off the ground.

Unsafe Hitching

How fast can you react?

Rear axle torque

Centrifugal Force in action…

ROPS

ROPS

Comfort cabs or ROPS?

ROPS Tags

Compromised ROPS

Key points in dealing with farm machinery:

–Machinery is similar in what it does, but varies in design and operation by manufacturer.

Hazards Associated with Farm Machinery

• Pinch points

• Wrap points

• Shear points

• Crush points

• Pull-in points

• Free wheeling parts

• Stored energy

Pinch Point

• Any place where there is contact of a belt, chain, roller or moving part with another surface

1. .

2. .

Pinch Points

PAg

Shear Points

• Two objects moving toward each other with enough force to cut

Pull In Points

• Parts that are designed to pull material into the machine

Wrap Point

• Any exposed component that rotates

PAg

Crush Point

• Two objects moving toward each other or one object moving toward a stationary object. Often involve a second person.

Power Sources

• PTO – Mechanical

• Hydraulic motor

• Electric motor

• Gas motor

Power Take Off (PTO)

Most common power source for mobile machinery.

Auxiliary Hydraulic Motor

Hydraulics

Hydraulic cylinders & pressures

Hydraulic Cylinder

• Single acting

• Double acting

Hydraulic Pressures

• 1,800-2,500 psi. normal

• Older & some new >3,500 psi.

• Hydraulic tool=10,000 psi

Hydraulic Injection Injury

Electric Motors

• Elevators

• Barn cleaners

• Conveyors

• Augers

• Stationary mixers (TMR)

• Silo unloaders

Gas/diesel engines

• Typical on horse/mule drawn equipment

• Bale wrappers

• Feed carts

• Bale choppers

• Etc.

Break Time

Preparation

Dispatch / Response

Scene Size-up / ICS


Support Operations

Access

Patient Assessment

and Care

Disentanglement

Extrication

Termination

The Life Cycle of Rescue

1. Preparation

• Training

• Education

• Preplanning / Pre-Incident Plan

• SOP/SOG development

• Tool and equipment maintenance

• Apparatus and personnel readiness

2. Dispatch/Response

• Getting from point A to point B in a timely, safe manner

• Most efficient route of travel, based on circumstances

• Request resources based on effective preparation

• On average, 20%-25% of FF LODD’s occur responding to, or returning from, calls.

3. Scene Size-Up & Incident Command

• Complete 360° scene assessment

• Designed to ID hazards and value (patients/property)

• Determines the need and urgency for support operations and/or additional resources

Scene Safety Priorities

• 1st - Your Safety

• 2nd- Partner/Crew Safety

• 3rd - Bystander Safety

• 4th - Patient’s safety

“Rescuer Safety & Patient Care”

Incident Commander

Operations

Fire Department

Emergency Medical Services

Technical Assistance

Other Responders

Planning Logistics Finance

Incident Safety Officer

Public Information Officer

Liaison Officer

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

4. Hazard Recognition and Control of risks

• Risk/benefit analysis

• Ability to control

• Options for risk management:

– Avoid

– Eliminate/mitigate

– Request technical help

Tractor Shut Off

• Battery-electrical system

• Air intake

• Fuel shut off

Fuel System

• Gas

• Diesel

• Propane

• Alternative Power Sources/Fuels

– Hybrids?

– Hydrogen?

Managing Machinery Entanglements

✓ Secure power sources

✓ “Lock out-Tag out” - any controls that can be

✓ Manage initial stored energy

✓ Isolate entanglement site

✓ Extrication strategies and patient care

Hydraulic System Considerations:

Stabilize BEFORE shutting down engine.

• Steering

• Brakes

• Stored energy

• Hydraulic cylinders

• 3-point hitch

Hydraulic controls/lines

Stored energy

Cylinder

“Lock Out”

Consequences of shut down…

“Hydraulic creep”

Hazard Control:

Stabilization

Initial stability management:

• Proper cribbing and chocking techniques

STABILIZE ! Stabilize the scene - 360° walk around & identify other hazards Stabilize the tractor - identify hazards, widen the baseline, turn off tractor Stabilize the patient - ABC’s of Patient Care

Widen Baseline Initial contact area

Continue to Widen Baseline

Widen the baseline.

Normal

Baseline

STEEL WHEELED TRACTORS ARE A

BIT MORE DIFFICULT TO STABILIZE. MANY HAVE “FLOATING RIMS” AND CAN ONLY BE STABILIZED

AGAINST THE AXLE.

CRIBBING AGAINST THE OUTER

RIM CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS

FAILURE OF THE WHEEL AND

HARM TO THE RESCUERS.

Picket Anchor Systems

ground

1” diameter minimum

Minimum 2’

Minimum 3’Direction of pull

15° angle

Holding power of picket holdfast

Holdfast Pounds

Single picket 700

1-1 picket holdfast 1,400

1-1-1 picket holdfast 1,800

2-1 picket holdfast 2,000

3-2-1 picket holdfast 4,000

Holding power of picket holdfast in loamy soil

Note: Wet earth factors:

Clay and gravel mixtures – 0.9

Clay and sand – 0. 5

Holding power depends on:

• Diameter and kind of material used.

• Soil type.

• Depth and angle picket is driven.

• Angle of guy line in relation to the ground.

Building effective cribbing systems for safety and lifting points.

“Two by Two Crib” Four contact points

• If No. 2 SPF or better 4” x 4”,

then 6000 pounds capacity per contact point.

• If No. 2 SPF or better 6” x 6”, then 11,000 pounds capacity per contact point.

“Two by Two Crib” • Layers of two cribs • Stacked evenly • One inch overlap • Rough cut • Hardwood preferred

side view

top view

“Three by Three Crib” • Layers of three cribs • Stacked evenly • One inch overlap • Rough cut

side view

“Three by Three Crib” Nine Contact Points

• Nine contact points • If No. 2 SPF or better 4” x 4”,

then 6000 pounds capacity per contact point.

• If No. 2 SPF or better 6” x 6”, then 11,000 pounds capacity per contact point.

top view

9 contact points vs.

4 contact points

= 2 1/4 times as strong!!!

On solid level ground… Height of crib can be up to three times the width of the crib base. Maximum height: h = 3w

w

h

“But we never have solid and level ground…” On unstable soil or if crib has a greater than 20 degree angle, height must be less than or equal to width of crib.

Uneven / unstable …

H = [ < or =] W

H = 3W

FILLING VOID AND/OR

SECURING AXLE TO

FRAME MAY ASSIST IN

STABILIZING.

Point tangent to wheel

Using sling system or chains to secure wheels from movement prior to extrication efforts.

Develop a

triangle

Ratchet Straps

Common Mistakes• Mis-threading the

bale #1• Failure to pull slack

before ratcheting• Pulling slack out of

free end in direction of fixed end

• Binding strap in ratchet gear

Using multiple tools and systems to secure an overturned tractors.

5. Support Operations

• Additional resources needed to complete the task

– Lighting

– Additional EMS

– Air medical support

– Specialty services

– Heavy duty wreckers

– Other farm equipment

Tools & Resources to Manage a Tractor or Machinery Incident:

• Electric tools-battery & generator

• Hydraulic tools

• Air and gas (compressed) tools

• Gas powered tools

• Hand tools

• Etc…

Getting tools & equipment to the scene

• These incidents could very well occur in areas that are inaccessible by normal rescue vehicles.

• What resources are available to move equipment, manpower, and the patient?

Tools found on site

Machinery Mechanics

Do you have a resource list of local farm machinery dealers or mechanics to call that will respond out to assist you?

6. Access

• Simple procedures work the best

• Be smarter than the equipment you’re dealing with!

• Work from the simple to the complex

• Beware of stored energy

Access Patient – Patient Assessment and Initial Care

FIRE – RESCUE

• Create a safe pathway to allow medically trained personnel to be able to get to the patient.

• Allow medically trained personnel to the patient.

• Determine what additional extrication activities will be required.

EMS

• Properly attired and protected EMS personnel should access the patient.

• Initial assessment & care. (“A-B-C’s”)

• Determine severity and extent of entanglement.

• Relay this information to Fire-Rescue.

7. Patient Assessment & Care

• Initiate patient assessment immediately.

• Initiate care as soon as safe to do so.

• Provide care prior to, during, and post disentanglement.

Needed for a successful rescue:

✓Effective teamwork

✓Proper patient care and management

Basic trauma care

• Initiate basic life support as soon as patient contact is made.

• Airway, Breathing, Circulation

• Spinal stabilization

• Bleeding control

• Oxygen therapy as per protocols.

• Advanced life support may need to be initiated prior to disentanglement/ extrication

• Shock management

• Crush injury management

FARM ACCIDENT VICTIM TREATMENT

➢ Trauma and/or Medical Protocols

➢ Mechanism of injury

➢ High index of suspicion

➢ Golden hour.

– Patient care protocols are based on our ability

to get patients to definitive care within the

“golden hour”. What if we can’t accomplish

this?

Crush Injury Syndrome

➢Large muscle mass-lower extremities/pelvis

➢Prolonged compression-4-6 hours typically but 1 hour in severe cases

➢Compromised blood circulation

Severe compressive injury to muscles resulting in muscle cell

death. As cells die, they produce toxins that can have fatal

effects when the compressing load is released.

Assessment

“A SEVERE CHALLENGE”

Signs & Symptoms

➢ Few until extrication-then it’s too late-death can occur within minutes

➢ Tissue injury-pronounced or subtle

➢ Swelling-delayed

➢Distal pulses-present or not

➢ Shock-compensated or decompensated

➢ Paralysis-may mask for spinal cord injury

➢ ECG-peaked “T”, prolonged “PR”, absent “P”, and/or widened “QRS”-all indicative of hyperkalemia.

TREATMENT

REVIEW ALS PROTOCOL

➢Airway & breathing-secure with O2

➢ IV access & Fluid resuscitation

➢ Cardiac monitor

➢Med control for pain and hyperkalemia

➢ Evaluate & treat for bronchoconstriction

“Truest of ALS emergencies. Prior to release of

the load……….”

8. Disentanglement

• Removal of entrapment from around the patient may not be possible

• Piece of machine may need to stay with patient

• Amount of disentanglement needed varies based on patient’s condition

• Always have a “plan B” (and C, D, E, etc.)

Disentanglement

• FIRE – RESCUE– Determine best method

of extrication based upon type/degree of entrapment, with strong consideration for patient condition.

– Begin actual extrication only after EMS has initiated proper care.

• EMS– On-going care.

– Initiate ALS.

– Relate extrication needs to Fire-Rescue.

– Determine what interventions are needed now and what can possibly wait.

Unwind

Cut

Spread

Disassemble

Amputate

Plan A : Plan B : Plan C : etc.

Disentanglement strategies

Disentanglement Strategies

• Stabilize/unwind

• Stabilize/cut

• Stabilize/spread

• Stabilize/disassemble

• Stabilize/amputate

9. Extrication

• Remove the packaged patient

• Transfer the patient

• Methods employed vary depending on patient condition, position, and injuries

• Needs to be organized

• Patients don’t come with handles!

Extrication

• FIRE – RESCUE

– Is disentanglement complete?

– Is there an extrication pathway?

• EMS

– Is patient properly packaged for extrication?

– Where are my transport resources?

– Has patient condition been communicated?

TOGETHER

Accomplish patient removal

to the transport unit

10. Termination

• Often the most overlooked phase

• Everything is returned to service

• Equipment readiness• Scene is returned to pre-

scene conditions• Post incident

review/analysis• Critical Incident Stress

Management (CISM)• Documentation / After

action report

Why rescue operations fail……..

▪ Fail to understand the environment

▪ Additional medical complications overlooked

▪ Inadequate preparation

▪ Lack of teamwork & training

▪ not Understanding the logistical needs

▪ Rescue vs Recovery

▪ Equipment not mastered (understood)

F

A

I

L

U

R

E

Preparation

Dispatch / Response

Scene Size-up / ICS


Support Operations

Access

Patient Assessment

and Care

Disentanglement

Extrication

Termination

Questions/Discussion

Managing Agricultural Emergencies - Michigan

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