AGSC 140 - Agriculture Safety and Pesticides

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
This course is a synopsis of safety and worker protection in the agricultural workplace. Topics will include safety in and around shops, on farm vehicles, using farm equipment, and safe practices around rotational and directional moving equipment. Personal protection equipment, pesticide standards, and MSDS sheets will be included. Safety plans will be analyzed and evaluated for completeness. It emphasizes agricultural pesticide uses and applications, chemical safety, and waste hazards associated with pesticides and fertilizer use. This course will prepare the student to become a licensed pesticide applicator with the state of Washington. Safety standards for agriculture identified by the Washington State Administration codes (WAC 296-307) will be covered. Formerly: AGPR 140.
Course Outcomes:

Analyze worker safety issues.
Identify safety hazards commonly found in agricultural operations.
Assess safety issues on the farm.
Explain safety issues found in Agricultural operations.
Analyze and evaluate safety plans.
Develop a safety plan.
Analyze and evaluate information on MSDS sheets.
Apply agricultural chemical safety.
Examine federal and state pesticide laws.
Identify components of an integrated pest management program.
Appraise basic weed and insect problems.
Choose corrective measures to control weed and insect problems.
Successfully complete practice exam in preparation for the Washington State pesticide licensing exam.

Course Topics:

Safety practices in agriculture (WAC 296-307)
Identifying safety hazards on the farm or shop.
Mitigating safety issues in agriculture.
Safe equipment operations.
Analyzing safety standards identified by governmental entities.
Meeting safety requirements in agriculture.
Develop safety plans.
Pesticide and fertilizer health concerns.
Pesticide and fertilizer environmental concerns.
Federal and State pesticide laws.
Types of equipment and materials used to apply chemicals.
Proper storage and disposal of chemicals.
Identifying weed and insect problems.