{"id":4779,"date":"2020-03-24T13:34:49","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T17:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agrability\/?p=4779"},"modified":"2020-03-24T13:42:01","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T17:42:01","slug":"work-smarter-and-safer-on-the-farm-with-universal-design-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agrability\/2020\/03\/24\/work-smarter-and-safer-on-the-farm-with-universal-design-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"Work Smarter and Safer on the Farm with Universal Design Principles"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Ellen S. Gibson<\/em><\/p>\n

\"snow-covered<\/a>Dear Farmers:<\/p>\n

How old are you? Okay, let\u2019s just say you\u2019re not as young as you used to be.<\/p>\n

Is farming physically harder on your body than it used to be? Yes? No?<\/p>\n

If yes, what physical issues do you struggle with?<\/p>\n

What would you say if I told you that there\u2019s probably an easier way to do the things that you find to be most difficult?<\/p>\n

Read on…<\/p>\n

What is Universal Design?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Universal design (UD) is a set of principles to use when you think about how you work around the farm. Is the workflow efficient? Does the setup of your barn allow room for error without accidental or unintended consequences? Can you think of ways to reduce the amount of physical effort it takes to complete a task? If you were injured, would you still be able to complete your barn routines?<\/p>\n

Read on…<\/p>\n

How can Universal Design be applied on your farm?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Think of using Universal Design principles to<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Keep everyone safe\u2014you, your children, workers, visitors<\/li>\n
  2. Streamline work, increase efficiency<\/li>\n
  3. Reduce wear and tear on the body<\/li>\n
  4. Create an environment where everyone from young children to aging adults can be included\u2014in the barn, workshop, garden, or kitchen<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Universal Design principles include flexibility, tolerance for error, efficiency, low physical effort, and safety. Incorporating these principles takes foresight and planning.<\/p>\n

    What are the Universal Design principles?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    There are seven of them, as follows:<\/p>\n

    Equitable Use<\/b><\/h4>\n

    This is using design<\/b> to be inclusive for a wide developmental span, whether young children or their great grandparents, visitors to the farm, relief workers, or a disabled family member.<\/p>\n

    For example, design gardens that are accessible to everyone by considering:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Slope of paths: no more than one-inch rise per horizontal foot.<\/li>\n
    • Substrate on the surface of the path. Grass? Crushed gravel? Pavement?<\/li>\n
    • Width of paths. Are they wide enough to accommodate a wheeled garden cart?<\/li>\n
    • Height of garden beds. If they are 35 inches or higher, tending the garden can be done from a standing position.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flexibility in use<\/b><\/h4>\n

      These are spaces<\/b> that can be used by many different people, of all ages and abilities. They make it easier for people with temporary injuries to be able to do their work. For example:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Adjustable shelving with heavy items on the lower shelves, frequently used items between knee and chest level<\/li>\n
      • Places to sit and work in the barn<\/li>\n
      • Sets of frequently used tools available in more than one place (redundancy)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t