No Riders on Farm and Lawn Equipment

Objective:

To know the dangers associated with riders on farm equipment and mowers.

Trainer's Note:

Riders on any power equipment is a safety hazard and should not be allowed. Address the reasons why people have riders. Stress the hazards involved with riders and how these hazards outweigh the perceived benefits of having one of more riders. (Note: OSHA gives an exemption to an extra rider on tractors and other equipment for the purpose of training).

Background

Despite that most farm equipment does not have an extra seat provision, some people allow riders. Any rider for any reason is a safety hazard. An extra rider may block the driver's view or movement. They also may fall from the tractor and be run over or become entangled in equipment and be killed.

Some ways to reduce the perceptive need to carry a rider are: advanced planning of work tasks, using safety management techniques to reduce hazards, alternative forms of transportation and changing job assignments. The majority of riders are young children and account for the largest number of fatalities.

Remember:

• Only one person is allowed on each piece of farm.
• No riders should be enforced for lawn equipment also. Children are allowed to ride on lawn equipment, it opens the door for bigger equipment.
• Do not let farm or lawn equipment serve as a baby-sitting service. Many children are injured each year in machinery related accidents.
• Conduct new employee training in a “classroom” setting before anyone drives a tractor .
• When additional help is needed at a work site, arrange additional transportation.

Extra passengers are problematic because they:

• Interfere with the operator’s vision and ability to use the control levers.
• Distract the operator.
• Increase the rider's exposure to noise, dust and chemicals.
• Increase the risk of a multiple injury incident.

Review the Following Points

• Riders on any power equipment is a safety hazard and should not be allowed.
• Many children are injured each year in machinery related accidents.
• All drivers of farm equipment need training in a classroom setting.
• Planning transportation needs ahead reduces the temptation to carry passengers on farm machinery.

No Riders on Farm and Lawn Equipment Quiz

True or False

1. Advance planning of all transportation needs is one way to keep riders off of farm and lawn equipment.	T	F
2. Extra riders can be a distraction to the operator.	T	F
3. Letting children ride on farm and lawn equipment is a good way to provide child care.	T	F
4. Most farm equipment provides extra seating for riders.	T	F
5. Two heads are better than one when it comes to making quick decisions on farm equipment.	T	F

Answer Key
1. T, 2. T, 3. F, 4. F, 5. F

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