The Superior Express -

Midway and Post Rock Extension Districts will be providing the Hazardous Occupations Training for area youth on Saturday, March 28 at KanEquip Company in Ellsworth. Hazardous Occupations Training, once known as Tractor Safety Training, is required before a 14 or 15-year old can perform “hazardous” farm work for anyone other than a parent or legal guardian. (A tractor more than 20 hp is classified as hazardous). This is a safety course, not a machinery operations course. Safety is critical for everyone in the field of agriculture, but fines up to $10,000 can be imposed on employers not complying with this law.

The training can mean a summer job opportunity or allow a youth to help a neighbor when not working for a parent. The safety training, while beneficial, is not required to work on a parent’s farm. It is, however, required to work for family partnerships, family corporations, grandparents, other relatives or outside of the family. Children under the age of 14 cannot work for anyone other than a parent or guardian. A 13-year old may enroll in the training if turning 14 before the next year’s class is offered, but the certificate will not be issued until their 14th birthday.

The training includes updated curriculum with classroom time, demonstrations along with tractor driving time. RSVP is requested by Friday, March 20 either online at http://www.postrock.ksu.edu or to an extension district office.