Post Messenger Recorder -

Manure storage and handling systems have changed in recent years due in part to larger farms, new technologies and application restrictions. These manure storage and handling systems have potential hazards to workers and rescuers that include confined spaces. The gasses produced by manure as it decomposes require extra precautions when working with manure storage and handling systems.

Unfortunately almost every year farmers and children have died from exposure to manure gases and confined spaces on farms. To help both farmers and emergency response personnel understand the hazards of manure storage and handling systems, a safety workshop will be held at Brugger Dairy LLC, located at N4611 Rechsteiner Road, Monroe, on Saturday, October 15th. Registration will start at 8:45 a.m., and the program will run from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. The training is sponsored by Green County UW-Extension and Green County Emergency Management, and will be held rain or shine.

This workshop is designed for emergency response personnel, including firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement, as well as farmers and their employees who work in and around manure storage systems and confined spaces. The workshop will address confined space and manure gas safety procedures. The workshop is free of charge and space is limited to the first 75 people that register. Participants must register by calling the Green County UW-Extension Office at (608) 328-9440 or emailing Mark Mayer, UW-Extension Agriculture Agent, at mark.mayer@ces.uwex.edu. Registrations are due no later than Friday, October 7th.

For more information or to pre-register, contact the Green County UW-Extension Office at (608) 328-9440 or visit our website at http://www.green.uwex.edu.