Farm Safety
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Every year thousands of people are living, working or visiting farms throughout our country. Most of these people, if you asked them, would probably say they feel safer here than in some of the larger metropolitan cities around them. Although you will not encounter the same kinds of dangers on the farm that does not mean a farm is not without some risks. In fact, farming consistently ranks as one of the more dangerous professions to be in.
A farmer is faced with many challenges and hazards during a normal day on the farm. Time, stress, inexperience and many other factors will affect you as you work. If you do not consistently put your safety first, however, it can lead to a mistake that can cause you injury or even death.
Some of the dangers on the farm are:
1. Tractors
2. Chemicals
3. Livestock
4. Bins, Tanks and Silos
Tractors
The tractor is probably the most recognized machine on the farm. It is not only one of the most useful farming tools but, used improperly, one of the most dangerous as well.
Tractors come in a wide range of size and horsepower. Some tractors are small enough to fit in a garden shed and others are large enough to rival their highway cousins. the Freightliners.
A tractor is geared in such a way that even though it may have a fraction of the horsepower your family SUV has it is able to use that power efficiently around the farm. A tractor is designed for the farm and actually makes a poor highway vehicle. The majority of tractors are also designed not to carry any passengers.
Every year tractor accidents cause numerous preventable injuries and deaths. In many cases, it is the result of operator error. One of the most common accidents is the rollover. Operating a tractor on too steep a slope can cause a rollover. Improper hitching is another reason tractors will roll. Tractors are equipped with a hitching point below the rear axles to prevent this type of roll. Unfortunately, some people will attach to a point above the rear axle in a foolish attempt to get more weight/traction on the drive wheels.
Some tractors are equipped with front loaders that are capable of lifting many hundreds of kilograms. This additional weight on the front of the tractor can make the machine handle differently, particularly when the loader is fully elevated. It is also possible on some loaders for the load to fall out of the raised bucket onto the operator.
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