UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Visitors to Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, Aug. 12-14, can learn about agricultural safety topics during a full schedule of demonstrations and hands-on educational programming at the Farm Safety Demonstration Area and the Rural Health and Safety Tent.
Four total demonstrations — at 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesday and Thursday — will introduce lawn mower dangers and best practices given current technology. The Penn State Agricultural Safety and Health program will demonstrate a lawn mower tractor that has been retrofitted with a vision-based shut-off system. Attendees will then be asked about their thoughts on the technology and if it could be helpful to them.
RescueTechs LLC and Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company will stage an agricultural rescue emergency to show how first responders manage a tractor rollover incident. This demonstration will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13,
Commercial drone companies will demonstrate the safe operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in the field next to the Ag Safety and Health tent.
At the Ag Safety and Health tent, experts from Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering will answer agricultural safety and health questions and offer free practical solutions to improve on-farm safety. Visitors can obtain “Slow Moving Vehicle” emblems for equipment, power take-off shields, hearing protection and high visibility shirts/vests for children, while supplies last.
“Stop the Bleed” training sessions are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m. On Wednesday, the morning sessions will start at 9:30 a.m. and the afternoon sessions at 12:30 p.m. The 30-minute sessions will cover what the first person on the scene can do for someone bleeding from a serious injury. After completing the training, families will receive a free “Stop the Bleed” kit, while supplies last.
Visitors to the Rural Health and Safety Tent, at the end of West Sixth Street and adjacent to the Farm Safety Area, can access free health screenings, activities, health and wellness information and resources for farmers with a disability or health condition from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Screenings may include carotid artery, vision, thyroid, stroke, blood sugar, blood pressure, colorectal and hepatitis C.
Several organizations will offer interactive activities and wellness information:
• AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians will share tools, tips and assistive technology to help farmers continue working despite a disability or health condition.
• American Trauma Society will present information on bike, scooter and ATV safety, concussion awareness, back health, and preventing overheating.
• The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety will provide information on CPR, first aid and “Stop the Bleed.”
• North Central Sight Services will provide vision acuity and pressure screenings, along with hearing information, assistive technology examples, and vision and hearing assessments.
• Mount Nittany Health will provide information on stroke prevention, warning signs and trauma. Visitors can participate in handwashing and meat safety activities.
• The LION Mobile Clinic will unveil new medical equipment from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, with U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson in attendance.
• Penn State Health will provide blood pressure screenings, wellness record cards and physical therapy exercises to prevent injury.
• The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health will offer health information, oral hygiene tips and free toothbrushes for children and adults.
