South Dakota Ag Connection - HOSTA for Youth Farm and Ranch Workers

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HOSTA for Youth Farm and Ranch Workers
South Dakota Ag Connection - 05/27/2016

SDSU Extension will be conducting a Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in Agriculture June 15 and 16, 2016 at Lake Area Technical Institute in the Ag Department.

The training will be held June 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then again on June 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A test will be held the afternoon of June 16. Those who pass the test will receive certification.

Currently, the law states that any individual who is 14 to 15 years old must be trained on the safe operation of tractors, farm machinery and other hazardous activities in the agricultural industry. One exception to the rule is youth who are employed on their home farm.

This means all 14 to 15 year olds who are seeking employment in the agriculture industry must receive the training as required by the U.S. Department of Labor, with the only exemption being for youth working on their own farm. When youth become 16 years of age, this law no longer applies to their employment. Youth who are working on their family farm are also encouraged to attend, as are older youth.

The training consists of a combination of independent study, materials will be sent to participants prior to the training. The trainer will be Bailey Hurlbert, Ag Instructor, Lake Area Technical Institute of Watertown.

To register visit, the event listing. To cover the cost of participant materials, the fee for this training is $30. Online registration closes June 14.

The agricultural industry is the only industry in the U.S.A. that allows youth under the age of 16 to be considered a legal employee.

"When coupled with the fact that farming/ranching is considered to be one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs; it is evident that we must educate youth about dangers on farms and ranches for the safety of both themselves and others," said Alvaro Garcia, SDSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Director & Professor. "The number one way to prevent on farm accidents is by educating about possible dangers and giving students the knowledge to asses a situation for all possible hazards."

Hazardous Occupations Safety Training in Agriculture is a program which aims to educate South Dakota youth about the dangers associated with working on a farm or ranch.

The safety training will consist of independent study, a classroom portion, and a driving portion.

As part of the independent study, students are expected to study the core task sheets and complete the assigned activities prior to the classroom session. Links to the task sheets and the student manual can be found at online, or in the student manual.

For the classroom portion, a purchased copy of the student manual is highly encouraged by the instructor.

A written exam will be given over the 48 core task sheets which must be passed with a minimum of 70 percent correct in order for the student to advance to the driving portion of the training.

For questions on the Hazardous Occupations Safety Training safety training course, please contact Bailey Hurlbert, Ag Instructor with Lake Area Technical Institute of Watertown SD, at 605-882-5284 ext. 470 or by email.

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