On the Farm, Amputation Accidents Generally Fall Into Four Categories:

1) Entanglement: Occurs when clothes, jacket or shoe strings, gloves, long hair, etc. get caught in moving parts (e.g. PTO shafts, belts, pulleys, balers, and combines). The best way to prevent entanglement is to completely shut down and disable machinery prior to working or moving next to the equipment.

2) Entrapment: Example, combine heads and augers and all other equipemtn that are designed to trap and pull.

3) Crushing: Can occur from post drivers or heavy equipment pinning certain body parts. This type of injury usually causes internal damage, to the arm or leg, and eventually ends in amputation.

4) Infection: Usually due to a dirty wound. The limb may survive initial trauma, but amputation can be required following days or weeks of intensive therapy.

Other hazards include: burns from heaters, welders, hot equipment parts, etc.; chemical burns or irritation from caustics, detergents, and disinfectants; slips and falls; and, head injuries.