Farm Safety Essentials

Curriculum Area: Career and Technical Education (CTE) – Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Level: Grade 7 (aligned with US Next Generation Science Standards and CTE pathways in Agriculture Safety)

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Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify common hazards, risks, and exposures in farm operations.
2. Explain the importance of recognizing and managing farm-related hazards, risks, and exposures for safety and health.
3. Apply understanding through the creation of an infographic showcasing farm hazard management.

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Materials Needed

• Poster boards (or digital tools for infographic creation if technology is available)
• Colored markers, pens, pencils
• Printed glossary of "hazards," "risks," and "exposures" related to farm operations
• Visual flashcards showing farm scenes (machinery, animals, chemicals, etc.)
• Whiteboard, markers for teacher use
• A sample completed infographic to serve as a model (provided beforehand)

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Lesson Duration: 60 Minutes

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Lesson Plan Outline

1. Pre-Class Preparation (Teacher)

• Prepare visual aids, such as scene flashcards showing examples of hazardous farm conditions (e.g., a tractor in operation, an animal enclosure, a worker using chemicals without protective equipment).
• Create a simple diagram to show the relationship between hazards, risks, and exposures.
• Have a completed sample infographic to display to students for inspiration.

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2. Lesson Breakdown

a) Warm-Up Activity (5 Minutes)

• Greet students and ask an engaging opening question:
  “Can you think of one thing that might be dangerous on a farm? Why do you think it’s dangerous?”
• Write their responses on the board, categorizing them as hazards, risks, or exposures.
  Example:
  • Hazard: Slippery floor in the barn.
  • Risk: Falling from a height.
  • Exposure: Handling pesticides without gloves.

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b) Direct Lesson Instruction (15 Minutes)

1. Definitions and Examples (10 Minutes)

• Use the whiteboard to introduce and define:
  • Hazard: A potential source of harm or adverse effect. Example: Loose electrical wiring near water sources on a farm.
  • Risk: The likelihood of harm from a hazard. Example: A farmworker might trip due to the wiring.
  • Exposure: Contact with hazards that increases risk. Example: Prolonged presence near unsafe wiring.
• Show flashcards of various farm images, and ask:
  • What is the hazard here?
  • What risk could arise?
  • How might someone be exposed to this hazard?

2. Why It’s Important (5 Minutes)

• Lead a short discussion:
  • "Why do we need to know about hazards, risks, and exposures on farms?"
    Suggested responses (write these on the board):
    • Prevent accidents and injuries.
    • Protect farmworkers’ health and safety.
    • Ensure better planning for safe farm operations.

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c) Group Activity: Hazard Hunter! (15 Minutes)

Objective: Students will work in small groups to explore and identify potential hazards, risks, and exposures in farm operations.
Instructions:

1. Divide the class into 10 groups of 5 students each.
2. Distribute a flashcard depicting a farm scene and a “Hazard Checklist Sheet” to each group.
3. Groups analyze their image and fill in the sheet:
   • What are the visible hazards?
   • What risks might arise from these hazards?
   • How might someone be exposed to these risks?
4. Groups share findings with the class.

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d) Infographic Creation Activity (20 Minutes)

Objective: Students will creatively demonstrate their understanding of hazards, risks, and exposures in farm operations.
Instructions:

1. Hand out blank poster boards or assign digital tools for creating infographics (e.g., Canva, if available).
2. Students design an infographic that includes:
   • Clear definitions of “hazards,” “risks,” and “exposures.”
   • Visuals (drawn or found) illustrating farm-related examples.
   • Safety tips for managing hazards, risks, and exposures.
3. Display the pre-prepared infographic as a model and explain expectations for visual quality and content.
4. Prompt creativity: Encourage students to use bright colors, diagrams, comic-style elements, or bold fonts.

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3. Wrap-Up and Review (5 Minutes)

• Display the completed or in-progress infographics.
• Facilitate a class discussion:
  “What was the most surprising hazard, risk, or exposure you learned about today?”
• Reinforce learning: Quiz the class by pointing at flashcards from earlier and asking:
  • “Hazard, risk, or exposure?” to ensure retention of concepts.

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Extensions (Optional Homework)

• Assign students to research a real-life incident involving a farm hazard (e.g., an accident caused by unsafe use of machinery). They will write a short paragraph on:
  • What the hazard was.
  • How it could have been avoided.

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Teacher Notes

• Ensure all farm-related scenarios remain age-appropriate and non-traumatic while emphasizing safety and prevention.
• Walking around during the group and infographic activities will keep students on task and clarify misconceptions.

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Assessment Criteria

1. Participation: Active engagement during discussions and group activities.
2. Understanding: Accurate identification of hazards, risks, and exposures.
3. Creativity & Clarity: Well-designed infographics demonstrating comprehension and effective communication of key concepts.

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Reflection for Improvement

• At the end of the day, assess students' infographics to check for patterns in understanding or areas where reteaching might be needed.

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This lesson combines hands-on activities, group discussions, and creative design to suit a variety of learning styles while meeting US education standards. Students will leave with actionable knowledge about farm safety and a tangible creation in the form of their infographic!