Malcolm
L. Legault, Ph.D.
National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS)
Agriculture
is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States
with a death rate of 21.3 per 100,000 workers and approximately
130,000 disabling injuries. The toll is huge with respect to
the communities involved and national productivity of our food
supply. The death and injury rates do not include victims who
are not occupationally active in agriculture but died from an
incident involving farm and ranch equipment. The most common
place to be involved in an incident with farm and ranch equipment
is on the public roadway system. For this reason, the National
Safety Council is targeting rural roadway safety during the
National Farm Safety and Health Week.
There are three general types of users of the rural public roadway
system: farmers, the general public, and persons who use the
roads for their exercise programs. This fact sheet will target
farmers who use the rural public roadway system.
Farmers know the limitations of their machinery. What they don't
always realize is the general public is not familiar with what
their machines can and cannot do. This is especially important
when a tractor, is traveling by itself or when it is towing
an agricultural machine. Also, self-propelled machines, such
as sprayers, combines and other harvesting equipment travel
on public roadways, as well. These machines have limited speed
and maneuverability. Tractors and self-propelled machines generally
can travel no faster than 25 miles per hour. Machines with this
speed limitation are identified to motorists on the road with
a Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) Emblem. SMV emblems have changed
over the years. The newer emblems are identified by a label
that signifies that it meets the requirements for the ASAE standard
S276.5 MAY98. The SMV emblem has a central fluorescent orange
triangle. The orange triangle was designed to be eye-catching
during daylight hours. The orange triangle is bordered by red
strips of retro reflective tape. The red retroreflective strips
are visible as a hollow red triangle when illuminated by lawful
low beam headlights up to 600 feet (See Photos 1 and 2).
To increase the visibility of agricultural machinery traveling
on public roadways, extremity marking is essential. Red retroreflective
tape should be placed on the rear of the machine and amber retroreflective
tape should be placed on the sides near the front and rear quarters
with more amber tape in the middle. In addition to the use of
retroreflective tape, red and amber lights may be required for
towed machines over 12 feet wide. Tractors and self-propelled
machines are required to have both amber and red lights to the
rear. The amber lights should be visible to the front and rear
and should flash as a four-way warning to other motorists (See
Photo 3). White lights tell other motorists that some vehicle
is coming toward them. Only headlights should be on when traveling
on roadways. Working lights should be turned
off.
A good recommendation is to utilize a pilot vehicle behind tractors
and machines. In cases where the machine is relatively wide
and may encroach the opposing lane, then another pilot vehicle
traveling in front adds to the possibility of eliminating a
crash.
In addition to marking by retroreflective tape, SMV emblems,
and lighting, mirrors should be utilized. Having mirrors that
are properly adjusted will enable the operator to monitor traffic
and view how the towed machinery is traveling It is essential
to know at all times what is happening around you when operating
tractors and other machinery. The mirrors should extend beyond
the sides of any towed or self-propelled machine to provide
optimum visibility.
There is a crucial time for an operator to know his/her surroundings,
especially when a left turn needs to be initiated. Turning at
roadway speeds is not advisable, therefore speeds must be reduced.
An operator of a large machine that plans to turn left must
first move the machine to the right to clear any driveways and
gates that would be encountered by trailing equipment during
the left turn. Any motorist traveling behind the farm machine
may think that you are letting them pass (even if it is in a
no-passing zone). If the machine operator is not aware of the
situation and completes the left turn--a collision may result.
Agricultural machinery is very large and heavy. An automobile
is very likely to be extensively damaged, along with severe
injury to its occupant(s).
Sharing the road is everyone's responsibility and being proactive
about preventing possible incidents that could result in injury
is just plain smart.
Photo 1: A properly placed SMV emblem that is clean, bright,
and not obstructed. The red-orange fluorescent equilateral triangle
should be the most obvious feature of the emblem.
Photo 2: When illuminated with low beam headlights SMV emblems
should be seen as a hollow bright red triangle. At night the
triangle should be visible at 600 feet.
Photo 3: This combine shows a good SMV, amber and red retroreflective
tape, and red and amber lights. Not visible are headlights.
The working lights should not be used when traveling on public
roadways.
How
to be visible to others on public roadways:
1) Use SMV emblems that meet the ASAE S276.5 Standard.
2) Use red retroreflective tape to the rear of tractors
and machines.
3) Use amber retroreflective tape on the sides of agricultural
machines.
4) Use warning red and amber lights.
5) Utilize pilot vehicles.
6) Use properly adjusted mirrors to see around the tractor
or machine when traveling
Patience is a trait that will allow everyone to go home
at the end of the day. |
Sources
of information:
Agricultural Safety and Health Best Management Practices
ASAE Standards 2002
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Service
National Education Center for Agricultural Safety
National Safety Council
New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health
Northeast Center for Agricultural and Occupational Health
The Ohio State University
Written by:
Malcolm L. Legault, Ph.D.
National Education Center for Agricultural Safety
10250 Sundown Road
Peosta, IA 52068
TEL: 1-888-844-6322
National Safety Council,
1121 Spring Lake Drive,
Itasca, IL 60143-3201
TEL: 1-800-621-7615
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 10/2002
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