April 26, 2013

UNL Extension Tractor Safety/Hazardous Occupations Courses will be offered at seven locations in Nebraska during May and June. Any 14- or 15-year-old who plans to work on a farm other than their parents’ should plan to attend.

Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years from working on a farm for anyone other than their parents. Certification through the course grants an exemption allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with mechanized equipment.

The most common cause of death in Nebraska agricultural accidents is overturned tractors or all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs), said Sharry Nielsen, UNL Extension Educator. Tractor and ATV overturn prevention are featured in the class work.

"Instilling an attitude of "safety first" is a primary goal of the course,” Nielsen said. "Youth have a chance to learn respect for agricultural jobs and the tools involved."

Format

Classes, which consist of two days of instruction plus homework assignments, are held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The first day of class will consist of intensive classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations, concluding with a written test that must be completed satisfactorily before students may continue driving tests the next day. Classroom instruction will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. Homework will be assigned to turn in the next day.

The second day will include testing, driving and operating machinery. Students must demonstrate competence in hitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course as well as hitching PTO and hydraulic systems.

Preregistration

Preregistration is strongly encouraged at least one week before a location's start date. To register, use this form or contact the Extension Office for the location. Cost is $60, which includes educational materials, testing, supplies, lunches, and breaks. For more information, contact the host Extension Office or Nielsen at (308) 832-0645, snielsen1@unl.edu.