National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS)
Long Public
Service Announcements (30 to 60 seconds)
Farm
Safety and Health Week
Not Just for Farmers Anymore
One of
the most hazardous industries in the United States is agriculture.
As a result, many injuries and illnesses occur to farmers
and ranchers almost everyday across the nation. Farmers and
ranchers, and the general public are injured when agricultural
machinery is involved in roadway incidents. To increase the
awareness of the limitations of agricultural machinery in
traveling speed and maneuverability the National Safety Council
will observe the National Farm Safety and Health Week focusing
on this issue from September 15th to the 21st. The theme for
this year is: "Farm Safety and Health Week
Not Just
for Farmers Anymore." Farm safety information is available
at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Everyone
Needs to Share Our Nation's Roadways (Part I) - General Public
The National
Safety Council's National Farm Safety and Health Week focus'
on roadway safety with the theme: "Farm Safety and Health
Week
Not Just for Farmers Anymore." Everyone from
farmers and ranchers to residents of large cities use public
rural roadways. It is everyone's responsibility to share the
road so that not only yourself but others can use the country's
roads safely. Patience is a trait that will allow everyone
to go home at the end of the day. Farm safety information
is available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Everyone
Needs to Share Our Nation's Roadways (Part II) - General Public
The National
Safety Council reminds everyone that they have a part in farm
safety during National Farm Safety and Health Week. Many users
of rural roads do not know the speed limitation of farm equipment.
Tractors, combines, and other self-propelled farm and ranch
machinery can only travel up to 25 mph. It takes only seconds
for an automobile to reach a tractor or self-propelled machine.
Once a farm machine is noticed ahead of you, slow down before
you reach the tractor or machine. Only pass when you are in
a designated passing zone and where there are not any entrances
on the left side of the road as the operator may turn in unexpectantly.
Patience is a trait that will allow everyone to go home at
the end of the day. Farm safety information is available at
the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Everyone
Needs to Share Our Nation's Roadways (Part III) - General Public
The National
Safety Council is making a national effort to educate the
general public on farm hazards they may face on public highways.
Many users of rural roadways do not know the maneuverability
limitation of farm equipment. Tractors, combines, and other
self-propelled farm and ranch machines because of their size
may find it necessary to first move to the right before turning
left. Drivers who are not aware of this necessity may think
that the machine operator is moving over to allow them to
pass, which has resulted in the motorist being surprised and
with no time to react when the machine operator suddenly turns
left. A crash is the often the result with injuries to the
occupants of the automobile. Be aware, when approaching farm
machines from the rear, of places where the operator of the
machine may want to turn left. Only when entrances are not
present and you are in a designated passing zone should you
attempt to pass farm machinery. Farm safety information is
available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Short Public
Service Announcements (15 to 30 seconds)
Farm
Safety and Health Week
Not Just for Farmers Anymore
"Farm
Safety and Health Week
Not Just for Farmers Anymore"
is the theme for this year's National Farm Safety and Health
Week sponsored by the National Safety Council. For information
regarding roadway safety, defensive driving and other farm
safety information please contact the National Safety Council
(http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Everyone
Needs to Share Our Nation's Roadways
Everything
and everybody from people talking a walk to very large farm
and ranch machinery use rural roadways. Public roadways are
just that
public. As users of these roadways we must
look out for slow moving vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists,
and other automobiles. Sharing the road is everyone's responsibility
and being proactive about preventing a possible injury incident
is just plain smart. For information regarding roadway safety
and other farm safety information please contact the National
Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
What
is a Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem?
A slow-moving
vehicle, or SMV, emblem is a fluorescent orange triangle (for
daytime viewing) bordered by red photo-reflective material
(for nighttime viewing). The triangle points up. The SMV emblem
is placed at the rear of tractors or other farm machine near
the centerline and two to ten feet from the ground. The purpose
of the SMV emblem is to identify that the tractor or machine
cannot travel any faster than 25 mph. This and other farm
safety tips are available at the National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Why
do I need to be careful when passing to the left of farm machinery?
Because
of the size, both length and width, farm machinery must often
first move to the right when initiating a left turn. The movement
right has fooled drivers into believing the farm machine operator
is moving over to let them pass. When the operator turns left
the passing motorist does not have time to stop and crashes
into the farm machinery. Be aware of possible entrances on
the left side of the road. If there is one do not pass and
then only pass in a designated passing zone. This and other
farm safety tips are available at the National Safety Council
(http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Why
farmers need mirrors?
The size
of the tractors and other machines that farmers operate prevent
a clear view to the rear. Being able to view behind the machines
is critical when on public roadways. Mirrors are essential
to seeing if other vehicles are behind and may wish to pass.
When making left turns, the operators moving to the right
may falsely indicate to the other vehicle that they may pass.
Having mirrors will allow the machinery operator to plan accordingly.
This and other farm safety tips are available at the National
Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Pilot
vehicles provide other vehicle operators guidance.
When
moving large farm and ranch machines on public roads, the
use of pilot vehicles could prevent other vehicles from crashing
into the machinery. If mirrors are not available, a pilot
vehicle is a must. The driver of the pilot vehicle knows where
the machine operator is going and help signal to other traffic
the intentions of the machine operator, for example a left
turn that is proceeded by a movement to the right. This and
other farm safety tips are available at the National Safety
Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
Walking
and running on roads, on which side of the road am I supposed
to be?
When
walking or running on roads without sidewalks the left side
of the road should be used. Seeing traffic coming at you enables
the walker or runner to avoid being struck by an inattentive
driver. This and other farm safety tips are available at the
National Safety Council (http://www.nsc.org)
or the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety at
1-888-844-6322.
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: 11/2002
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