National Farm Safety and Health Week is
Sept. 15-17
September 15 through 21 is National Farm Safety and Health Week. George Maher,
North Dakota State University Farm Safety Specialist, says safety should be
everyone's concern and has useful tips.
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
crashes. 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 ( www.nsc.org ) or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
The National Safety Council’s 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 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 ( www.nsc.org
)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,226KB wav file)
During National Farm Safety and Health Week the National Safety Council reminds everyone that they have a part in farm safety all year long.
Tractors, combines, and other self-propelled farm and ranch machinery can only
travel up to 25 miles per hour. It takes only seconds for an automobile to reach a
tractor or self-propelled machine. As soon as you notice a farm machine ahead of
you, start to slow down before you reach the tractor or machine. Then, pass only
when you are in a designated passing zone and please use your turn signals.
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 ( www.nsc.org
)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,557KB wav file)
The National Safety Council is making a national effort to educate the
general public on farm hazards they may encounter on public roadways. Many users
of rural roadways do not know of the limited maneuverability of farm
equipment. Operators of large tractors, combines, and other self-propelled farm and
ranch machines 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 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 when you are in a designated passing zone, should you attempt
to pass farm machinery. Farm safety information is available at the National
Safety Council ( 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 is on roadway use with the theme: "Farm Safety and Health Week . . . Not
Just For Farmers Anymore." Farmers and ranchers need to remember that rural
roadways are used by everyone and should be shared accordingly. Having all
reflectors, Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems, and lights clean and in good working
condition is absolutely necessary to be seen on our country’s roadways. Remember, not everyone knows you are there if they can’t see you. Farm
safety information is available at the National Safety Council ( www.nsc.org
)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,381KB wav file)
The National Safety Council’s National Farm Safety and Health Week
focus is on roadway safety with the theme: "Farm Safety and Health Week . . .
Not Just For Farmers Anymore." Agricultural work does not always occur during
ideal conditions and visibility can be a problem. The limitations on your
equipment for speed and maneuverability can result in a crash with other vehicles if
your farm machinery cannot be seen and identified from a distance. To maximize
visibility to others using the road, use red reflectors to the rear and amber
reflectors on both sides of farm machines. Remember, not everyone knows you are there if
they can’t see you. Farm safety information is available at the National
Safety Council ( www.nsc.org )
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,541KB wav file)
National Safety Council’s National Farm Safety and Health Week
focus is on roadway safety with the theme: "Farm Safety and Health Week . . .
Not Just For Farmers Anymore." The SMV emblem identifies the tractor or machine
as being capable of only traveling 25 miles per hours or less. The newest SMV
emblems can be seen from almost a mile at night and last much longer. Use the
4-way amber warning lights whenever you are operating a tractor or machine on
the road. Remember, not everyone knows you are there if they can’t see
you. Farm safety information is available at the National Safety Council ( www.nsc.org
)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,483KB wav file)
National Farm Safety and Health Week, the National Safety Council reminds farmers and ranchers that many people driving on rural
roadways are not aware of the limited maneuverability of large tractors
and combines. When you are preparing to make a left-hand turn, the driver
behind may not understand why you have to move slightly to the right before
making your left-hand turn. Motorists often see this action, as if you want them
to pass. When you move to the left, the motorist trying to pass is often caught
unaware and a crash results. Use mirrors that allow you to see behind the tractor
or combine to see if anyone is behind you, so you can plan the turn
accordingly, and use your turn signals. Sharing the road is everyone’s
responsibility and preventing a possible injury incident is just plain smart. Farm safety
information is available at the National Safety Council ( www.nsc.org
)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,848KB wav file)
The National Safety Council’s National Farm Safety and Health Week
focus is on roadway safety with the theme: "Farm Safety and Health Week . . .
Not Just For Farmers Anymore." Whenever you as an operator of farm and ranch
equipment need to make a turn on or off a public road, the use of turn signals
allows motorists to know your intentions. Also, the use of a pilot vehicle will help the
farm machine operator to reinforce his/her intentions to other motorists. Farm
safety information is available at the National Safety Council ( www.nsc.org
)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that accompanies this
safety tip. (1,257KB wav file)
Everything and everybody from people taking a walk to very large farm and
ranch machinery use public 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 or the National Education Center for
Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that
accompanies this safety tip. (1,258KB wav file)
Is A Slow Moving Vehicle Emblem?
A slow-moving vehicle, or SMV, emblem is a flourescent orange triangle
(for daytime viewing) bordered by red photo-reflective material (for nighttime
visibility). The triangle points up. The SMV emblem is placed at the rear
of tractors and other farm machines near the centerline and between two and
six feet above the ground. The purpose of the SMV emblem is to inform that the
tractor or machine is not traveling faster than 25 miles per hour. This and other
farm safety tips are available at the National Safety Council or the National
Education Center for Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that
accompanies this safety tip. (1,363KB wav file)
Be careful when passing to the left of farm machinery. Because of the size, both length and width, farm machinery must often
first move to the right when initiating a left turn. The movement has fooled other
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 attempt to pass until the machinery is past the
entrance, and then pass only in a safe passing zone. This and other farm safety tips
are available from the National Safety Council or the National Education Center for
Agricultural Safety at 1-888-844-6322.
Click here to download an Audio clip that
accompanies this safety tip. (1,460KB wav file)
###
Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu
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North
Dakota State University -- NDSU Agriculture
Communication