Ever been late for an appointment, only to find yourself following a tractor? That can be frustrating, but don’t let emotions get the best of you. The time it takes to follow a tractor even two miles is about the same as hitting two red lights while driving through town.
So when you find yourself behind a tractor, relax and wait until you can safely pass. A little patience can go a long way.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, international membership organization dedicated to protecting lives and promoting health.
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Farm and ranch workers become victims of minor to serious injuries everyday. It is important that family members and workers be properly trained in first aid and other emergency response techniques to respond to these situations appropriately. First aid classes are available around the country to prepare you for a variety of emergency situations. For more information, call the National Safety Council at 1-800-621-7619.
The young and the old alike are very prone to back injuries while performing their chores on farms in the U.S. Younger farmers may attempt to lift excessive weight and often find themselves with a sore back for days. Older farmers are prone to back injuries because they try to lift objects that were much easier when they were younger. Healing of a sore back among older farmers may take weeks or months.
The best rules to follow are to never attempt to lift bulky, heavy items that could result in back strain. Always lift with the legs and don't be too proud to ask for assistance when the item cannot be lifted with ease.
The National Safety Council reminds you that a power take-off turning at 540 revolutions per minute can easily entangle five to seven feet of clothing per second. Don´t take a chance during the busy fall harvest season. Keep all shields in place, avoid work activities near the PTO, avoid loose fitting clothing, and when ever possible shut the PTO off before dismounting the tractor. The first step towards sustainable agriculture is the safety and health of all workers.
Skid steer loaders are a real time saver for farm and ranch work. They do their work quickly and efficiently, however they can be very dangerous when safety features have been altered or by-passed.
Never disconnect or bypass the safety switch in the seat or the lap bar. These safety devices are designed to prevent serious injury or death to the operator in the event of an overturn or accidental contact with the operating levers while entering the operators station.
And one other important safety reminder, never carry people in the bucket. A small bump or quick turn can dislodge anyone or anything in the bucket and result in a tragic, often fatal incident.
The National Safety Council would like to take this opportunity to give farm, ranch and other agricultural workers and families a tip that could save your life. Farm safety and health should be followed everyday and in every activity that you do. To find out more about farm safety and health tips and to obtain a packet of information, call the National Safety Council at 1-800-621-7615, Extension 2023.
The National Safety Council emphasizes that operators of farm tractors can save their life. Equip farm tractors with an approved rollover protective structure or ROPS and wear a seat belt. The ROPS and seat belt will protect you if the tractor were to overturn. Contact your local farm equipment dealer today for information on a ROPS for your tractor.
The operation of a tractor equipped with a Rollover Protective Structure or ROPS and the use of a seat belt are considered to be 99 percent effective in preventing deaths due to tractor rollovers. Major tractor manufacturers have special programs where a ROPS can be obtained for most tractors manufactured since 1970. The National Safety Council urges you to contact your local farm equipment dealer today for information on a ROPS for your tractor.
The National Safety Council encourages parents and guardians of children to voluntarily prohibit children from riding on farm tractors. Children and adults riding on a tractor can be severely injured or killed if they fall off the tractor. Say no to extra riders and yes to a safe future.
We all know that spine-tingling chill when we pop over a hill to find a slowmoving vehicle ahead of us.
It takes split-second reactions. In fact, even if you´re following a tractor from a distance you´re closing the safety gap between the two of you at an average rate of about 59 feet per second. That´s the length of a football field in just five seconds.
Many farm vehicles are on the road this time of year. Be prepared and drive defensively.
Grain wagons and other grain transport vehicles are dangerous areas for children and adults. Never allow children to be in a grain wagon that is being loaded or unloaded. They can be easily covered up while loading grain or pulled under the flowing grain while it is being unloaded. Don´t learn the hard way. Keep children out of, and away from, grain wagons and other transport vehicles.
Country roads can be beautiful in the fall. But always be on the lookout for farm vehicles on those roads. Farmers must transport grain and other harvest equipment to and from fields. Sometimes it´s slowgoing, which can be frustrating to both farmers and motorists who use the same roads to get back and forth to work.
Show some understanding when you come upon farm vehicles, slow down, keep your eyes on the road, and wait until it is safe to pass.
Serious injuries and deaths occur to children on farms every year. The only way for a farm to be a safe place for a child to live and/or visit is for the farm to be a safe place for adults to work. Most farms have numerous hazards that place adults and children at risk. For every hazard present on a farm, there should be a barrier that protects children and other visitors from the hazard. Inspect your farm today for hazards and make necessary corrections to protect children who live on or visit the farm.
Just because a child is interested in farm work does not mean he or she should be allowed to participate in farm tasks. It is important for your child to have both the physical and cognitive skills necessary to safely complete a farm task. Make sure the tasks you assign your child are age and developmentally appropriate.
Children should always receive training before they are allowed to do a task. Even with training, adult supervision should be practiced at all times. Children should never be left alone to do a farm task.
Farming and ranching is as much a lifestyle as an occupation, the entire family including children and senior citizens, are often exposed to the many hazards in the agricultural workplace. The National Safety Council advises farm and ranch families to take on the responsibility of educating family members and workers about hazards and implementing safety practices that prevent injuries.
Many farm and ranch residents are seriously injured or killed each year in automobile accidents. It is important that as motorists that you make sure you and everyone in the vehicle wear their seat belt. All children should be securely fastened in the seat belt and placed in the back seat. To prepare you better for possible driving hazards Defensive Driving classes are available around the country. For more information, call the National Safety Council at 18006217619.
Mud can be a sticky problem on Farms and Ranches. The National Safety Council has these ideas to help you avoid slips and falls.
The National Safety Council reminds parents on farms and ranches that chemicals and kids can be a deadly combination.
Keep pesticides and other toxins away from youngsters. Remind them that chemical storage areas are “Off Limits” as playgrounds. And, after using toxic chemicals, immediately clean and dispose of the containers. Remember that a poisoning can happen in the time it takes to turn your back.
Kids may love to explore the farm from pillar to post, but climbing can be dangerous activity, especially around equipment and buildings.
Remind curious children not to play around equipment that has been left i gear with the keys in the ignition. Also warn young adventurers about the risk of climbing a silo. Remember, kids can play safely in designated areas on the farm without climbing into trouble.
Many farm and ranch chores, such as livestock confinement work, require the use of respirators. The National Safety Council urges you to wear a clean dust mask to avoid inhaling spores and other irritants.
Be sure to use a respirator when applying pesticides. Check the product label and obtain the required respirator. Have it fittested at your farm dealer before spraying or dusting. Remember, using the proper equipment can ensure your safety and health.
Agricultural noise is a common health hazard on the farm and ranch. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10 percent of the nation's farm workers are exposed to excessive noise levels.
The National Safety Council reminds you that tractors, combines, choppers and grain dryers can cause permanent hearing loss. Remember to wear earmuffs or earplugs when working around loud machinery. Be sure to get regular hearing tests. If you detect a problem, such as ringing in the ears, have your hearing checked immediately.
Harvest season means an increase in farm machinery traffic on rural highways. As farmers and ranchers rush to meet harvest deadlines, vehicles and farm machinery can create a lethal mix on the road. The National Safety Council urges you to follow these driving guidelines.
Remember, road safety can prevent your harvest drive from becoming a one way trip.
When the weather turns hot, many farmers run the risk of heat exhaustion and potential accidents.
The National Safety Council advises you to get extra rest when the heat is on. After eating a healthy lunch, take time to relax. Drink non alcoholic fluids to keep fatigue in check. Follow these safety guidelines and you won´t get burned.
Farmers who overwork run the risk of making mistakes. Not only will your muscles ache, but also fatigue may cause you to hesitate when seconds count.
Rest is a must when pushing your body to the limit. The National Safety Council urges you to take breaks when hot weather takes its toll.
Has your PTODriven equipment ever broken down? Many farm workers can answer “Yes”. Unfortunately, many can also say that the ´ve gotten too close to an operating PTO, causing their clothes to wrap around the shaft. A few lucky victims had their garments torn away. Others suffered serious injury or death.
The National Safety Council reminds you to turn off the PTO when inspecting a problem. The PTO shaft operates at speeds of 540 to 1,000 RPM ´s, so you may not have a second chance to do the job safely.
