Alert, aware, alive
John Schlageck, Special to the Gazette
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The roar and hustle of fall harvest is just around the corner. Time is precious. Hours are long. Breaks often don’t happen.
Because of this busy period in farming, accidents are more likely to happen. Agriculture continues to rank as one of the most dangerous occupations in this country and across the globe.
To place the spotlight on farming, ranching and the related health and safety issues impacting this industry, the National Safety Council has designated Sept. 20-26 as National Farm Safety & Health Week.
This year’s theme is, “Rural Roadway Safety … Alert, Aware & Alive. “It is especially timely as the week falls on the cusp of the upcoming fall harvest season.
This event is designed to commemorate the hard work, diligence and sacrifices of this nation’s farmers. This year’s event marks the 66th consecutive year, beginning with Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944.
For those who live and work in rural America, sharing farmers’ pride and excitement about the harvest season is tempered by the continued, urgent need to foster increased understanding regarding the prevention of ag-related injuries and illness, says Holly Higgins, Kansas Farm Bureau safety director.
“Every year farmers and ranchers are injured and killed because of preventable accidents,” Higgins says. “Farmers and their families can ill afford the pain and inconvenience of workplace injuries and death.”
Farmers typically lose four days for every injury they suffer, Higgins says. Still, the daily duties of feeding and caring for livestock and planting, tending and harvesting crops continue.
“We like to label injuries and death in our industry as accidents,” Higgins says. “The truth is these accidents can usually be traced to a specific cause.”
Agricultural equipment is becoming bigger and bigger. As farms become larger in size and spread out over more area, farmers are spending a lot more time traveling with their tractors and equipment on public roads.
Farm equipment on the road can be hazardous to both farmers and motorists. Most farm equipment usually travels 25 miles per hour or less in areas where the speed limit may be posted at 55 mph.
This can be a dangerous situation for a motorist going 55 mph or faster on the same highway. This does not give the motorist much time to react.
Roadway collisions that involve farm vehicles on U.S. roads total more than 15,000 per year. More than two-thirds of these collisions involve the farm vehicle being hit from behind, but collisions can also occur when the tractor and equipment tries to make left turns or by sideswipes.
“More than 90-percent of these collisions occur in the daylight and on dry roads,” Higgins says. “Usually, when the fatality occurs, the victim is the tractor operator.”
Motorists, be alert for agricultural equipment with the big, triangular SMV emblems, reflectors, or flashing lights. Expect to see more agricultural equipment on roadways during the busy harvest and wheat planting season.
Be careful when trying to pass equipment, as the operator may not see or hear you. Be patient; do not pass slow moving equipment unless it is absolutely safe to do so.
Pass with caution, as the equipment may be longer and wider than you think. Be aware of possible left hand turns into fields or driveways.
Yes, before long activity on the farm will become even busier. During harvest and wheat seeding, there is always a tremendous amount of work to be done in a short time. Take breaks from time to time. Rest and relax, eat nourishment, drink water and keep a clear head.
You only have one life. Make it a safe harvest.
F John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas.