CROP
DUSTING
Category: Aviation Risks
SIC
CODE: 0721 Crop Planting, Cultivating or Protecting
NAICS
CODE: 115112 Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating
Suggested
ISO General Liability Code: 91606
Suggested
Workers Compensation Code: 7422, 7431
Crop dusting, now more commonly referred to as aerial
or agricultural applications, utilizes specially equipped aircraft to spread
fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, and/or pesticides on growing crops. In
some areas, crop dusters are used to seed cover crops after the main crops are
harvested.
Similar
operations include spraying fire retardants on burning forest areas or using
aircraft for aerial photography or mapping. The aircraft must
fly low to the ground to minimize drift from spraying operations. Checking
weather conditions before the flight is critical, as wind can adversely affect
drift. Strict compliance with FAA standards for the type, maintenance, and use
of the aircraft is critical. Drones,
or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are increasingly used for crop dusting
applications due to their small size, increased accuracy, and lower cost.
This exposure is high due to fueling, refueling, or
repair activities conducted within hangars. All buildings are
subject to damage from aircraft. Ignition sources include heating and cooling
systems and electrical wiring. If flammable chemicals are used, they should be stored in locked
fireproof cabinets away from fueling operations. Repair operations,
especially welding and painting, must be monitored with controls in place. All
machinery and equipment must be inspected and regularly maintained to avoid
wear and tear or overheating losses.
Smoking
should be prohibited. Outside equipment and fixtures can be damaged by
collision with aircraft or vehicles, hail, ice and snow,
lightning, vandalism, and windstorms. Aircraft used for crop dusting could be potential targets for
terrorist attacks. Complete plans must be in place to deter and detect terrorism
activities. Appropriate security controls, which may include cameras,
security guards, and an alarm system that reports directly to a central station
or the police department, must be taken to prohibit access to the premises
after hours.
This could be high due to the seasonality of
operations unless a backup aircraft is available.
This is from accounts receivable if there are
billings, computers, valuable papers, and records for customers', regulatory,
spraying, and suppliers' information. Duplicates should be made and kept off
premises for easy replication after a loss. There may be mobile equipment used
for communication, markers, and shields that should be covered on a mobile
equipment form.
This is due to employee dishonesty and theft of money
and securities. Background
checks should be conducted on all employees. There must be a
separation of duties between individuals handling deposits and disbursements
and those reconciling bank statements. Physical inventories, including fuel
and chemicals used for spraying, must be made frequently to prevent employee theft.
This exposure is limited due to the lack of public
access. Fire in the fueling area could spread to surrounding hangars or
neighboring buildings. Terrorists may target the crop-dusting
operations. Adequate security must be in place, with entrance points
inaccessible to unauthorized persons. A disaster plan should be in place for
unexpected emergencies.
Off-premises
exposures can be severe due to the application of chemicals over a wide area.
Before a field is sprayed, the pilot should verify the identity of the
chemicals and restrict human and livestock access during spraying. Losses can
result from overspray, spraying the wrong field or area, improper application
of the chemicals, use of the wrong chemicals, and improper mixture of the
chemicals. Noise from operations may affect neighboring properties.
This
includes allegations of assault and battery, copyright or trademark
infringement, defamation (misleading statements made about competitors), discrimination,
false advertising, trespassing, wrongful detention, or wrongful ejection from
the premises.
The products exposure may be limited if the chemicals
are applied as received from the manufacturer. Application of the wrong
chemical, wrong amount, or wrong concentration can result
in crop failure.
This exposure is very high due to the handling,
storage, distribution, and disposal of the chemicals used
in aerial applications. Spray may drift and damage
surrounding plants, farm animals, including bees, or wildlife. Leaking fuel may contaminate the air,
ground, or water.
Spillage and leaking of
pollutants can result in high cleanup costs and fines. Storage and disposal procedures must comply with all
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. A
UST policy may be necessary if fuel tanks are present on the premises.
This exposure can be very high if the operation
transports the chemicals applied during crop dusting. If the operation owns
vehicles, all drivers must have the appropriate licenses and acceptable Motor
Vehicle Records (MVRs). Vehicles must be well-maintained with records kept in a
central location.
This exposure is very high. The lifting, handling, and application of chemicals
can result in injuries such as back sprains and strains, as well as inhaling
toxic substances. Workers must be fully aware of the side effects and symptoms
of medical conditions associated with the chemicals they work with, including
long-term occupational disease hazards, so they can be aware of
warning symptoms and obtain treatment as early as possible.
Regular
physicals to monitor workers’ health may be advisable. Fire and explosion are constant
concerns in a fueling area and during repair operations that involve welding or
painting. Welding operations generate high heat, intense light, and
exposure to carbon monoxide, manganese, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Protective
gear and clothing, such as face shields, gloves, and aprons, are essential. Eye
protection is particularly important due to the potential for injury from
exposure to UV radiation and infrared light.
Slips and falls, burns, falling objects, back strains and sprains from lifting and working in
awkward positions, foreign objects in the eye, hearing impairment from
noise, or being hit by aircraft or vehicles are common. Safety equipment should be required. Propellers and
other moving parts can injure an employee during operation. All controls must
be in place and carefully monitored. Crash exposure may be high if the crop
dusting aircraft is used in remote rescue or firefighting operations.
Aircraft Hull coverage covers damages
to the aircraft and its equipment. Pilot
error, including failure to consider weather conditions, can result in a costly
accident. Pilots must adhere to all FAA regulations, including current
certifications and ongoing
physical examinations. All aircraft and drones must be maintained according to the
manufacturers’ specifications, and records of such maintenance must be kept in
a central location.
Aircraft Liability coverage covers bodily injury, damage
to cargo, and the property of others. Pilots must meet all FAA regulations,
including current certification, for operating the aircraft. They must obtain proper
clearance before flying out of or into airports. They must participate in
regular training activities to maintain skills. Aircraft and drones must be
maintained, and records kept of the maintenance. Crash landings can result in a
loss of the entire cargo.
·
Business Personal Property
·
Business Income and Extra
Expense
·
Accounts Receivable
·
Computers
·
Mobile Equipment
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Valuable Papers and
Records
·
Employee Dishonesty
·
Money and Securities
·
General Liability
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Employee Benefits
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Environmental Impairment
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Umbrella
·
Hired and Nonownership
Auto
·
Workers Compensation
·
Aircraft Hull
·
Aircraft Liability
·
Building
·
Earthquake
·
Equipment Breakdown
·
Flood
·
Leasehold Interest
·
Real Property Legal
Liability
·
Active Shooter
·
Cyberliability
·
Employment-related
Practices
·
Underground Storage Tank
·
Business Automobile
Liability and Physical Damage
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Stop Gap Liability
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or Drones)