Understanding Why Accidents Occur
Lesson B8–2
Understanding Why Accidents Occur
and How to Prevent Them
Unit B. Employability in Agricultural/Horticultural Industry
Problem Area 8.Developing Safety Skills
Lesson 2.Understanding Why Accidents Occur and How to Prevent Them
Content/Process Statement: APM1, APM11
Core Content Standard: PL-H-4.1.1, PL-H-4.1.3, PL-H-4.1.4, PL-H-4.4.1,
PL-H-4.4.2
Skill Standard: P-OJ002, P-OJ003, P-OJ005, P-OJ006, P-OJ007
Academic Expectation: 1.1, 2.1, 2.36, 2.38, 5.1, 5.4, 5.5
Student Learning Objectives.Instruction in this lesson should result in students
achieving the following objectives:
1. Explain why accidents occur.
2. Describe ways to prevent accidents.
3. Identify personal protection equipment and how it is used.
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Unit B. Problem Area 8.Lesson 2.Page 1.
List of Resources.The following resources will be useful in teaching this lesson:
Anthony, S. Farm and Ranch Safety Management. Albany, New York: Delmar Publishers,
1995.
Morgan, Elizabeth M., et al. AgriScience Explorations, Second Edition. Danville, Illinois:
Interstate Publishers, Inc., 2000. (Chapter 6)
List of Equipment, Tools, Supplies, and Facilities
Writing surface
Overhead projector
Transparencies from attached masters
Copies of Student Lab Sheet
Terms.The following terms are presented in this lesson.
Carelessness
Concentration
Distraction
Common sense
Earmuffs
Earplug
Eye wash station
Particulate mask
Personal protection equipment (PPE)
Respirator
Safety glasses
Safety goggles
Safety shield
Safety training
Interest Approach.Use an interest approach that will prepare students for the lesson.
Teachers often develop approaches for their unique class and student situations. Two possible approaches
are included here.
Approach One: Ask students what job safety conditions they would look for at a place where they were
applying for a job. What type of conditions are unacceptable to them? What type of work will they feel
comfortable doing? Uncomfortable? How do they know if a job site is safe?
Approach Two: Have students develop a strategy of accident prevention and safety for the school. Discuss
potentially hazardous areas or areas where accidents most commonly occur, such as the swing set on
the elementary school playground, the parking lot, gymnasium, athletic field, or cafeteria. Form students
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Unit B. Problem Area 8.Lesson 2.Page 2.
into cooperative learning groups and have each group develop a list of safety rules to prevent accidents at
the sites.
Summary of Content and Teaching Strategies
Objective 1: Explain why accidents occur.
Anticipated Problem: Why do accidents occur?
I. Accidents can occur for many reasons.
A. Accidents occur because people fail to concentrate. Concentration is exerting mental effort
or giving attention to something. Failing to pay attention may result in an accident.
Lack of concentration may be due to distractions or fatigue from working too long without
a break, not getting enough sleep, etc.
B. Carelessness can result in accidents. Carelessness is failing to make good decisions about
what is being done and ignoring safety. Carelessness may be caused by long hours near
hazardous machinery, working in noisy environments, or using substances that alter the
ability to concentrate.
C. Failing to post or observe safety signs or warnings on facilities or equipment can result in
accidents. Equipment often has decals that provide safety information.
D. Lack of safety training or awareness of the hazards that may be involved may lead to accidents.
Safety training is education that focuses specifically on performing work in a
safe manner. In some cases, safety training may not be offered. Individuals have a responsibility
to themselves and their employer to learn and follow safety procedures.
E. Accidents may involve machinery and tools. All machinery and tools should be used
properly and kept in good condition. Worn or damaged parts may fail and cause an accident.
Have students discuss why accidents occur. Have students identify potential dangers in agriculture/horticulture
and where they would be found. Take a trip to a farm, greenhouse, garden center, or other facility
and have the students act as detectives to find potentially dangerous areas. Have each team of students
prepare a report on their findings and recommended actions to solve the safety problems. The report
should be given in class and discussed. Use TM: B8–2A to summarize the causes of accidents.
Objective 2: Describe ways to prevent accidents.
Anticipated Problem: How can accidents be prevented?
II. Accidents can be prevented by following basic guidelines.
A. Avoid distractions. A distraction is the diversion of attention away from one subject or
activity to another. Focus on the task in front of you. If you can’t focus for any reason,
take a break if possible. Try to eliminate distractions near you.
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B. Always use caution around machinery and tools.
1. Wear appropriate safety equipment.
2. Read any instructions or have someone show you how to use tools, equipment, or
processes.
3. With hazardous work, have another person there with you in case something happens.
C. Take breaks every hour or so, depending on the nature of the work. Do not work so long
that you have lowered your ability to respond to situations that may arise. Get enough
sleep and rest. Do not use substances that impair your ability to think clearly.
D. Use common sense. Common sense is sound, practical judgment. It is in addition to
training and skill in performing a task. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Look for (anticipate)
potential dangers and try to avoid them. Remove potential dangers from the workplace.
E. Use proper safety equipment. Wear personal protection equipment. Post signs in plain
view near hazardous areas. Install guardrails, handrails, fences, and gates where needed.
Install fire extinguishers and first-aid kits in convenient locations.
F. Organize the work site to remove hazards. Keep the site clean and well organized. Return
all tools, equipment, chemicals, and other items to the proper storage area.
G. Think safety! Attend safety and accident prevention training.
Objective 3: Identify personal protection equipment and how it is used.
Anticipated Problem: What is personal protective equipment and how is it used?
III. Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes any device that is used to protect people
from injury. People who operate machinery, use hand tools, apply chemicals, or preform
other hazardous tasks, should use the appropriate PPE.
A. Individuals are responsible for having and properly using PPE. Having and not wearing
PPE properly does not afford protection. PPE should be kept clean and in good working
condition.
B. PPE is used to prevent personal injury in several areas.
1. Eye protection is needed to protect the eyes from injury by flying objects, splashed
chemicals, and bright lights. Common eye PPE includes safety glasses, safety goggles,
safety shields and helmets, and eye wash stations. Safety glasses are designed with
shatter-proof lenses, brow bars, and side panels to prevent tiny solid objects from fly-
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ing into the eyes. Safety goggles are larger and fit tightly around the eyes to protect
from flying solid objects, splashed solutions, and, if tinted, from bright flames. Safety
shieldsare held in front of the face to protect the eyes and skin from bright light,
such as from welding. An eye wash station contains water or other fluid that is designed
to wash the eyes in case of a splash or other eye injury.
2. Hearing protection is used to prevent injury to delicate ear structures. It is often
needed when operating power tools and other equipment that make loud noise. Earplugs
and earmuffs are most commonly used. An earplug is a soft pliable device that
fits into the ear canal. Earmuffs fit over the ears and offer protection from loud
noise. Laboratories, shops, rooms, and other interior areas can be equipped with materials
that reduce the noise level. Soft materials absorb sound and reduce the potential
for hearing damage.
3. Respiratory personal protective equipment is designed to protect the respiration system
from hazards that exist in the air. Dust, mist, fumes, and vapors may be found in
agricultural/horticultural areas. A particulate mask is a fabric material that fits over
the nose and filters larger particulate from the air as it is breathed. A respirator is a
device that covers the nose and mouth and filters the air that is breathed. Respirators
may remove hazardous gases and other materials that are in the air.
4. Gloves, hats, special clothing, shoes, and other PPE are used to protect the skin and
body from chemicals, heat, bright lights, and falling objects. Each item should be selected
based on the nature of the exposure. The kind of equipment needed varies
with the potential hazard. People working around large animals need shoes with steel
toes for protection in case an animal steps on their foot. Hard hats are worn in areas
where objects may fall from above and strike on the head. Rubber or plastic gloves
are worn to protect the skin from hazardous substances.
Why Accidents Occur
1. Lack of concentration
2. Carelessness
• Failing to make good decisions
• Ignoring safety
3. Not aware of hazards
• Failing to post signs about hazards
• Failing to heed signs about hazards
4. Lack of safety training
5. Condition of machinery and tools
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TM: B8–2B
Ways of Preventing
Accidents
1. Avoid distractions; focus on the task
being done.
• Take breaks.
• Eliminate distractions near you.
2. Use caution around machinery and tools.
• Be sure all safety devices are in place.
• Know how to properly use the
machinery or tools.
• Never perform hazardous work alone.
3. Work reasonable hours.
• Take breaks.
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Do not use substances that impair
judgement.
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Unit B. Problem Area 8.Lesson 2.Page 10.
4. Use common sense.
• Don’t take unnecessary risks.
• Look for potential dangers and try to
avoid them.
5. Use personal protective equipment.
6. Remove dangers from the workplace.
7. Attend safety and accident prevention
training.