Text Transcript with Description of Visuals
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| [Music] Welcome to module two, video two of ABEJAS. | ABEJAS Logo in front of group of four beekeepers inspecting honey bee colonies Title: Module 2.2 Important Safety Practices While Beekeeping |
| Commercial beekeeping requires careful attention to safety for both the beekeepers and the bees. Some key risks and safety considerations associated with beekeeping are potential physical injuries from incorrectly lifting heavy boxes, prolonged heat exposure, getting stung by bees, fire while using a smoker, pesticide exposure and forklift operation. This video will address how to deal with these risks. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera Bulleted list appears and speaker reads off topics listed |
| [Music] | ABEJAS Logo with red background. Text on screen: Injury from lifting heavy boxes |
| Improper lifting techniques while handling hive boxes can lead to back injuries, strains or sprains. | Beekeeper carrying hive box and putting it down |
| It is important to use proper lifting techniques and tools to mitigate these risks. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera. Text on screen: Use proper lifting techniques and tools to avoid injuries, strains, and sprains |
| Before you lift, assess the weight of the box. If it feels too heavy or awkward to lift, consider breaking it down into smaller parts or asking for help. Also, plan where you will put the hive box, then remove obstacles from the ground around you and your walking path. | Green check mark indicates correct method. Two beekeepers approaching hive box and assessing weight. One beekeeper takes top box and other beekeeper lifts bottom box, then each beekeeper sets down hive boxes. Green line appears along beekeepers body to show bent knees and straight back. |
| Position yourself close to the hive to minimize the distance you will need to lift and carry the box. When lifting bend your knees and keep your back straight to avoid straining your back. Use the strength of your legs to lift the box rather than your back. | Red X indicates incorrect method. Beekeeper lifts two large hive boxes and lays the weight against his body while he carries them and slowly limps over to another area to set them down. Red line appears along beekeepers body to show rounded back. Beekeeper holds his lower back in pain. |
| Proper lifting techniques reduce the risk of back injuries. | Diagram appears showing correct and incorrect lifting posture |
| Ensure you have a firm grip on the sides of the box or the handles. | Beekeeper slowly lifting a hive box |
| It is especially important to avoid twisting your body at the same time as lifting, or leaning to one side while holding heavy equipment. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera Diagram appears showing correct and incorrect way to move a box from one location to another |
| [Music] | ABEJAS Logo with red background. Text on screen: Heat exposure |
| Handling prolonged heat exposure involves taking actions to prevent heat related illnesses and ensure your safety. | Camera angle looking at beekeeper from below with hot sun shining behind him, beekeeper drinks water from a blue bottle |
| Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages since they can dehydrate you. | Person pouring water into water bottle from orange IGLOO cooler, then two beekeepers sitting on ground in the shade drinking water from bottles. Text on screen: Drink plenty of water |
| Choose lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to help keep your body cool, like a ventilated bee suit. | Single beekeeper sitting on ground in shade drink water with towel around neck. Text on screen: Choose lightweight and loose-fitting clothing |
| Schedule and take regular breaks in a cool or shaded area to lower your body temperature and avoid continuous exposure to the heat. | Group of five beekeepers sitting on ground in shade. Text on screen: Schedule and take regular breaks in a cool or shaded area |
| Use cool, damp claws to cool your skin, or use fans and air conditioning to help cool you down. | Camera angle looking at beekeeper from below with hot sun shining behind him, beekeeper drapes towel around his neck. Transitions to person pushing the AC button inside a car. Text on screen: Use cool damp cloths to cool your skin, or use fans and air conditioning to help cool down |
| Be aware of symptoms of heat related illnesses such as dizziness, excessive sweating, or nausea. These are signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can be life threatening. If any of these occur, cool the person and seek water, rest and shade immediately. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera Bulleted list appears and speaker reads off topics listed |
| Seek medical attention by calling 911 if needed. OSHA and other agencies have fliers and training videos freely available on this topic. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera Text on screen: Call 911 if necessary. www.OSHA.gov |
| [Music] | ABEJAS Logo with red background. Text on screen: Bee stings |
| As mentioned in the previous video, it’s important to wear the correct protective gear such as a beekeeping suit, a veil and gloves. | Beekeeper working inside a colony in an apiary, many bees flying around. A container holding a smoker, suit, pair of gloves, and hive tool |
| However, while working in honey bee colonies, bee stings are almost inevitable. | Beekeeper working looking closely at a honey bee frame |
| If you are stung by a bee, remove the stinger immediately. | Stinger inside someones arm, stinger pulsating. Text on screen: A bee sting |
| The faster you remove it, the less venom gets into your system. | A close up of a stinger on end of hive tool. Text on screen: The stinger can continue pumping venom |
| Gently pluck out the stinger or scrape the stinger away with a flat edge, like a fingernail or a hive tool. | Person using hive tool to scrape against arm to remove stinger. Text on screen: Remove stinger immediately |
| You can also smoke the area where you are stung to mask alarm pheromone, and to limit additional stings from nearby bees. | Person puffing smoke onto area that was stung by bee |
| Watch for severe reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling in locations other than the sting site, itching in unusual places, or nausea and vomiting. If these occur, seek medical help immediately. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera Bulleted list appears and speaker reads off topics listed |
| For more typical stings where the reaction is localized to where you were stung, there are a few things you can do to take care of the sting site. | Stinger inside someones arm, stinger pulsating. Red circle appears around stinger Zooms into area where person was stung without stinger in arm. Red circle appears around sting site. Text on screen: A sting site |
| When you are finished working in the field, you can wash the stings site with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. | Beekeeper putting soap on sting site, gently rubbing, then dispensing water from orange IGLOO cooler. Text on screen: You can wash the sting site with soap and water, and apply a cold compress |
| If you know that you will swell, taking in antihistamine at the time of the sting can reduce the severity of the reaction. | Two pink pills and bottle of medicine. Text on screen: Antihistamines |
| [Music] | ABEJAS Logo with red background. Text on screen: Fire safety while using a smoker |
| While a smoker is a valuable tool, it is also a fire hazard. It’s important to be mindful of fire safety while working with a smoker. | Beekeeper scraping char off component that fits into bottom of smoker chamber then scraping inside smoker |
| Be especially careful when lighting a smoker, as embers or sparks may fall into the ground and accidentally go unnoticed as you move around the bee yard. | Beekeeper putting a small roll of burlap that is on fire into smoker. Text on screen: Be careful of embers and sparks when lighting a smoker |
| While working with a smoker, place the smoker on a non-flammable surface, such as a metal or stone surface, or on the top of a hive box lid. Make sure it is on a stable, level surface to prevent it from tipping over. | Different view of beekeeper putting a small roll of burlap that is on fire into smoker. Beekeeper puffing air into smoker through the bellow. Text on screen: When working with a smoker, place it on a stable, non-flammable surface |
Never leave a lit smoker unattended. | Beekeeper holding lighter near smoker. Text on screen: Never leave lit smoker unattended |
| Only use recommended and safe materials for fuel, such as untreated wood chips or burlap. Avoid using materials that can produce excessive sparks or hazardous fumes. | Lit smoker and pile of burlap and pine needles on a trailer bed. Beekeeper standing next to truck. Text on screen: Only use recommended and safe materials as fuel for your smokers |
| To extinguish the smoker, use water or dirt. Ensure all embers are fully out before disposing of the contents. | Beekeeper pouring smoker contents onto dirt pathway and squirting it with water Text on screen: To safely extinguish a smoker, use water or dirt |
| Do not just close the lid or plug the spout with wet grass unless it is going into a secure smoker box. | Two beekeepers discarding smoker contents into metal bin |
| It is good practice to have a metal smoker box to contain the smoker while in transit. | Beekeeper storing smoker in metal storage chamber in truck |
| It is also a good idea to have extra water or a fire extinguisher on hand, in case a small fire starts. | Beekeeper loading water and fire extinguisher onto truck bed. Text on screen: Carry extra water or a fire extinguisher |
| [Music] | ABEJAS Logo with red background. Text on screen: Pesticide exposure |
| Pesticide exposure is a significant concern for beekeepers as it can harm both bees and humans. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera. Text on screen: Pesticides can harm both bees and humans |
| Stay informed about when and where pesticides are being applied in your area by communicating with farmers and neighbors. | Man leaning against truck holding a phone up to his ear. Text on screen: Communicate with farmers and neighbors to stay informed about pesticide applications |
| Avoid placing hives near crops during pesticide application periods. Consider moving hives temporarily if necessary. | Honey bee colonies in almond orchard with person driving by with a a pesticide tanker |
| Conduct colony inspections and other activities during times when pesticides are less likely to be in use.` | Drone footage flying over landscape toward group of colonies Beekeeper walking by person driving forklift carrying colonies |
| By staying informed and taking preventative measures, beekeepers can help protect their colonies and their employees from the adverse effects of pesticide exposure. | Honey bee colonies placed near lush greenery. Text on screen: Beekeepers can help protect their colonies and their employees by staying informed and take preventative measures [Credited footage: Project Apis m] |
| You may apply pesticides or antibiotics in a beehive to treat parasites, pests, or pathogens. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera |
| Always wear the correct personal protective equipment, often called PPE, to avoid direct contact between the pesticide or antibiotic in your skin and potentially breathing in dangerous fumes. | Person putting on blue gloves. Text on screen: Always use the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) |
| PPE may include chemical resistant gloves, long sleeves, long pants or coveralls, closed toed shoes with socks, protective eyewear, and a respirator. | Pile of PPE including boots, glasses, gloves, and bee suit is sitting on truck bed Bulleted list appears and speaker reads off topics listed |
| If the chemical being applied is a vapor, you are at risk of inhaling fumes, so be sure to have a correctly fitted respirator. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera |
| If you are not sure what PPE you need to wear for certain chemicals, read the label. The label will specify how to safely handle and apply the chemical and what to do in an emergency. Remember, the label is the law. | Beekeeper reading pesticide label and puts on glasses. Text on screen: It is always a good idea to read the label |
| The EPA and other agencies have fliers and training videos freely available on this topic. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera. Text on screen. www.EPA.gov |
| [Music] | ABEJAS Logo with red background. Text on screen: Forklift operation |
| Using forklifts in beekeeping operations requires specific safety measures to ensure both the safety of the personnel and the integrity of the beekeeping equipment and the bees. Operators should be trained in safety procedures including load handling and emergency protocols. Ensure that hive boxes are securely placed and balanced on the forklift. | Beekeeper driving forklift carrying hive boxes or hive lids with bees flying around Text on screen appears: Ensure hive boxes are securely placed and balanced on the forklift |
| Avoid overloading the forklift and ensure that the load is within the forklift’s capacity. | Person pointing to Toyota Forklift Truck specifications. Text on screen: Make sure you are not exceeding the forklift’s load capacity |
| Operate the forklift at safe speeds and use caution when maneuvering, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic or around hives. Be especially mindful of other beekeepers who might be focused on beekeeping tasks, and may not be aware of their proximity to the forklift. | Beekeeper driving forklift carrying hive boxes through apiary. Beekeeper driving forklift carrying hive boxes at night with people standing by [Credited footage: Project Apis m] Text on screen: Be aware of your surroundings when operating a forklift |
| Operators should wear seatbelts and avoid steep terrain or other risks that could lead to a rollover. | Beekeeper putting on seat belt in forklift. Text on screen: Wear the seatbelt and drive carefully to avoid accidents |
| Your operation should have an emergency plan in place for accidents and equipment malfunctions. | Person driving forklift carrying wooden pallets |
| Personnel should be trained in first aid and know how to respond to common injuries or emergencies related to forklift operations. | Forklift stacking hives onto other hives in vertical stacks inside a facility with red lighting [Credited footage: Project Apis m] |
| OSHA and other agencies publish training materials and training videos that are freely available on this topic. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera. Text on screen. www.OSHA.gov |
| [Music] | View of truck carrying hive boxes and towing forklift from behind as it drives |
| At this point, we’ve talked about equipment involved in beekeeping and how to minimize injury from the potential risks associated with beekeeping. Next, we will talk more about how to recognize nutritional needs and queen status during colony assessments. | Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera ABEJAS logo, list of two upcoming videos, and @wsubeeprogram YouTube Logo appears |
| [Music] | Person driving forklift carrying a large vat of sugar syrup Overlay of WSU Bee Program, Washington State University, Wonderstone Films, United States Department of Agriculture, Project Apis m, Miller Honey Farms, and University of Minnesota Extension logos appear Scrolling list of people involved in development of videos appears |
| If you’ve enjoyed this video, please subscribe to the channel and leave us a comment below to let us know what additional topics you would like us to cover in future videos. | A beekeeper closing a clapperboard that says “WSU ABEJAS English” Beekeeper in an apiary talking to camera |