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Precautions Can Prevent Farming Deaths
By
Carol L. Spence
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 2, 2007) – Farming is an extremely hazardous
occupation. Yet, according to the National Safety Council, many
farmers are not making use of safety equipment that could save
lives or prevent disabling injuries.
Tractor-related incidents are not uncommon on the steep terrain
and winding, narrow roads that characterize rural Kentucky.
Tractor overturns, accounting for more than 60 percent of all
tractor-related deaths, are the major source of farming
fatalities in the state, said Larry Piercy, University of
Kentucky College of Agriculture extension farm safety
specialist.
“Traditionally the death rates in Kentucky agriculture have been
two to three times higher than the national average because of
our high rates of tractor deaths,” he said.
The good news is the number of overturn-caused deaths has
declined in recent years, partly due to an increased use of
rollover protective structures that are standard on all tractors
manufactured since the mid-1980s, Piercy said. The bad news is
there is still room for improvement.
“We still have a number of older tractors that do not have
rollover protection,” he said, indicating that a third to a half
of the tractors in the state are equipped with rollover
protection. That leaves a great many that are not protected.
Rollover protection is available for most tractors manufactured
after the late 1960s or early 1970s. Piercy said protective
systems usually can be retrofitted onto older tractors for $800
to $1,200.
“Rollover protection is fairly inexpensive if you consider the
value of a life,” Piercy said. “We try to encourage people to
consider retrofitting, because it does only take one mistake
that could result in what can be a very serious injury or death
when the tractor flips without rollover protection.”
Piercy also strongly recommends getting in the habit of wearing
a seat belt if the tractor is equipped with a rollover
protective system. Seat belts insure that the operator stays
within the safety zone provided by the rollover protective
system, as well as protecting the farmer from being thrown off
the tractor and possibly run over. For those who might rebel at
the idea of being strapped in, Piercy says there are other
benefits to using the devices.
“Seat belts improve your comfort and reduce fatigue, especially
when operating on slopes or rough field conditions,” he said.
“And also they may protect in a highway collision.”
If the tractor will be operated on a highway, some simple
precautions can help prevent a collision with faster moving
vehicles. Any time farm equipment is operated on the highway, it
should display the slow moving vehicle emblem. And Piercy also
emphasizes the need for appropriate lighting.
“If it’s used at night, they need, at least, headlights and a
taillight,” he said. “Most of our newer tractors do have the
flashing warning lights. Some of them have turn signals. Even
some of our towed equipment now has lighting. Always make sure
that if you do have that extra equipment that it is in good
working order before going out on the road.”
Another precaution Piercy suggests is simple and costs nothing.
By eliminating or, at the very least, minimizing extra
passengers onboard a tractor – particularly children -- the risk
for additional injury or death is greatly reduced.
Later in the season, when balers or other towed equipment are
used, farmers should be aware of the importance of additional
protective devices, such as power take-off shields.
“There’s always that potential risk,” Piercy said. “It only
takes one mistake.” |
Contact: Larry Piercy, 859-257-3000, ext. 107
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of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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