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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
LOUISVILLE, KY, April 2, 2008: Kentucky Farm Bureau reminds everyone to practice safety and common sense when working in their yards, gardens or farms this spring.
"Machines are essential to modern, high-output agriculture and just taking care of our lawns and gardens," said Marshall Coyle, president of Kentucky Farm Bureau."Without them, food production would fall far short of meeting our needs and lawn work would consume more time and energy than is available to the average homeowner."
Unfortunately, each year tractor accidents in the United States account for an estimated 500 fatalities, with thousands more suffering disabling injuries, and millions of dollars lost due to property damage, medical bills, time off work, reduced productivity, and added insurance costs.
These incidents are not limited to farm-related machinery, but include lawn tractors and mowers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that about 75 people are killed and about 20,000 are treated annually in hospital emergency rooms for injuries from lawn and garden tractors. One out of every five of these deaths involves a child.
Thanks to roll-over protective systems (ROPS), improved shielding, hydraulic control systems, and rigorous education by manufacturers and safety leaders, tractor-related accidental injuries have decreased in number and severity in recent years.
However, these accidents still claim many lives and are very costly. To control these losses, Kentucky Farm Bureau advises users to utilize safety equipment, adopt safe operating and maintenance practices and follow these general safety tips, no matter the size of your tractor.
- Stay alert from "tractor tippers" such as stumps, logs, rocks, holes, ruts, cave-ins, excavations, ditches or embankments.
- Slow down when turning; when ground is rough, soft or slick; when pulling heavy, high, swaying or unstable loads; when plant growth or darkness hides your view; or when traveling near buildings, trees, posts, fences, people or animals.
- Match load to tractor to avoid overturn by hitching to the drawbar (set low), not to the axle or frame; not overloading; applying power slowly when starting a heavy load; adding front weight for towing heavy drawbar loads or mounted tools; adding rear weight with a front loader; setting the wheel tread as wide as practical; and driving slowly when pulling a heavy, wheeled load, especially if the trailing vehicle does not have brakes.
- When on the roads be sure to stop before entering or crossing a road; signal your intent to slow, stop or turn; have proper lighting reflectors and SMV emblems; have and use a rearview mirror; use flashing warning lights both day and night; shift to a lower gear before going up or down hills and do not coast, to avoid free-wheeling gears; and drive defensively, always anticipating what other drivers might do.
- Keep all shields in place and turn off power before unclogging or servicing machinery.
- DO NOT permit others to ride.
- See that everyone is clear before moving machinery.
- Use recommended protective equipment.
- Fuel only when engine is off and do not smoke while fueling.
- Keep the tractor clean and properly serviced.
- Dress properly. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts (to avoid injuries from thrown objects like rocks or sticks), close-fitting clothes and no jewelry (to avoid getting anything caught in moving parts), sturdy shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles, eye protection, heavy gloves (protects hands when changing, sharpening, or cleaning blades), and hearing protection, such as ear plugs.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT TERRI BRADSHAW
Office 502-495-5191
Cellular 502-718-1164 |
