Farm Safety and Health Week…Not Just for Farmers Anymore
One of the most hazardous industries in the United States is agriculture. As a result, many injuries and illnesses occur to farmers and ranchers almost everyday across the nation. Farmers and ranchers, and the general public are injured when agricultural machinery is involved in roadway incidents. To increase the awareness of the limitations of agricultural machinery in traveling speed and maneuverability the National Safety Council will observe the National Farm Safety and Health Week focusing on this issue from September 15th to the 21st. The theme for this year is: "Farm Safety and Health Week…Not Just for Farmers Anymore." Farm safety information is available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
The National Safety Council's National Farm Safety and Health Week focus' on roadway safety with the theme: "Farm Safety and Health Week…Not Just for Farmers Anymore." Everyone from farmers and ranchers to residents of large cities use public rural roadways. It is everyone's responsibility to share the road so that not only yourself but others can use the country's roads safely. Patience is a trait that will allow everyone to go home at the end of the day. Farm safety information is available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
The National Safety Council reminds everyone that they have a part in farm safety during National Farm Safety and Health Week. Many users of rural roads do not know the speed limitation of farm equipment. Tractors, combines, and other self-propelled farm and ranch machinery can only travel up to 25 mph. It takes only seconds for an automobile to reach a tractor or self-propelled machine. Once a farm machine is noticed ahead of you, slow down before you reach the tractor or machine. Only pass when you are in a designated passing zone and where there are not any entrances on the left side of the road as the operator may turn in unexpectantly. Patience is a trait that will allow everyone to go home at the end of the day. Farm safety information is available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
The National
Safety Council is making a national effort to educate the
general public on farm hazards they may face on public highways.
Many users of rural roadways do not know the maneuverability
limitation of farm equipment. Tractors, combines, and other
self-propelled farm and ranch machines because of their size
may find it necessary to first move to the right before turning
left. Drivers who are not aware of this necessity may think
that the machine operator is moving over to allow them to
pass, which has resulted in the motorist being surprised and
with no time to react when the machine operator suddenly turns
left. A crash is the often the result with injuries to the
occupants of the automobile. Be aware, when approaching farm
machines from the rear, of places where the operator of the
machine may want to turn left. Only when entrances are not
present and you are in a designated passing zone should you
attempt to pass farm machinery. Farm safety information is
available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
"Farm Safety and Health Week…Not Just for Farmers Anymore" is the theme for this year's National Farm Safety and Health Week sponsored by the National Safety Council. For information regarding roadway safety, defensive driving and other farm safety information please contact the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Everything and everybody from people talking a walk to very large farm and ranch machinery use rural roadways. Public roadways are just that…public. As users of these roadways we must look out for slow moving vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other automobiles. Sharing the road is everyone's responsibility and being proactive about preventing a possible injury incident is just plain smart. For information regarding roadway safety and other farm safety information please contact the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
A slow-moving vehicle, or SMV, emblem is a fluorescent orange triangle (for daytime viewing) bordered by red photo-reflective material (for nighttime viewing). The triangle points up. The SMV emblem is placed at the rear of tractors or other farm machine near the centerline and two to ten feet from the ground. The purpose of the SMV emblem is to identify that the tractor or machine cannot travel any faster than 25 mph. This and other farm safety tips are available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Because of the size, both length and width, farm machinery must often first move to the right when initiating a left turn. The movement right has fooled drivers into believing the farm machine operator is moving over to let them pass. When the operator turns left the passing motorist does not have time to stop and crashes into the farm machinery. Be aware of possible entrances on the left side of the road. If there is one do not pass and then only pass in a designated passing zone. This and other farm safety tips are available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
The size
of the tractors and other machines that farmers operate prevent
a clear view to the rear. Being able to view behind the machines
is critical when on public roadways. Mirrors are essential
to seeing if other vehicles are behind and may wish to pass.
When making left turns, the operators moving to the right
may falsely indicate to the other vehicle that they may pass.
Having mirrors will allow the machinery operator to plan accordingly.
This and other farm safety tips are available at the National
Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
When
moving large farm and ranch machines on public roads, the
use of pilot vehicles could prevent other vehicles from crashing
into the machinery. If mirrors are not available, a pilot
vehicle is a must. The driver of the pilot vehicle knows where
the machine operator is going and help signal to other traffic
the intentions of the machine operator, for example a left
turn that is proceeded by a movement to the right. This and
other farm safety tips are available at the National Safety
Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
When
walking or running on roads without sidewalks the left side
of the road should be used. Seeing traffic coming at you enables
the walker or runner to avoid being struck by an inattentive
driver. This and other farm safety tips are available at the
National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
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