Tools of the trade: Providing emergency responders with resources

GREEN BAY, Wis. — A free agricultural safety resource called “Tools of the Trade” provides information for farmers and others trying to create a safe workplace. It includes an online collection of video demonstrations and handouts.

At the 2023 Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Association conference in Green Bay, Tools of the Trade was introduced to hundreds of emergency medical responders.

“The idea was to introduce EMS personnel to interactive safety tools that they can replicate and use to teach community members about farm safety and health,” said Marsha Salzwedel, agricultural youth safety specialist at the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.

“We know that EMS and fire personnel are trusted by farmers, so for them to share safety and health information with farmers is ideal.”

Approximately 90% of first responders indicated the session was relevant to their work and that the interactive exhibit design enhanced their learning experience at the conference.

Highlights of the conference included:

• Activities duplicating the ATV and grain demos, enabling participants to share these safety messages without needing to host the large demos.

• Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines featuring activities using an interactive website to assess a young worker’s abilities to complete tasks safely.

• Using a work boot and a simulated shoelace to illustrate reaction time and the dangers of entanglement in a spinning power-takeoff shaft.

• Safety games, such as a Farm Safety Game, Test Your Knowledge and Jeopardy.

The individual “Tools of the Trade” are available to anyone through the Cultivate Safety website. Learn more at www.cultivatesafety.org/tools-of-the-trade/.