National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS)
Statistics
show that women involved in agricultural work may be at an
increased risk for certain types of accidents. While men are
involved in more tractor rollovers, women are at a higher
risk of being run over by tractors and other farm machinery,
according to preliminary data from the National Safety Council.
Farm and ranch experts say that women often assist their spouses
by helping hitch equipment to tractors. This activity may
expose them to injury or death.
Another
area of increased risk for women is working with farm animals
and livestock. Preliminary data from farm states shows women
often tend livestock while men work with farm tractors and
other machinery. As a result, women may suffer disabling injuries
from farm animals. In order to prevent accidents, the National
Safety Council reminds women who participate in farm chores
to take preventive measures such as the ones offered below.
Wear
clothing and safety gear that is appropriate for the tasks
or chores at hand. Boots and shoes should be fully laced and
loose clothing tucked in to prevent power take-off and equipment
entanglements.
Keep
your hair neatly tucked under head gear or tied up when working
around wrap points such as power take-offs.
Be extremely
careful when helping to hitch implements to tractors. Do not
get caught in a tight location between a tractor and other
farm machinery. Learn the common hand signals associated with
safe hitching procedures.
Always
face unpredictable livestock so you can watch them at all
times. Larger farm animals such as bulls and horses may panic
or become aggressive and inflict serious injury. Swine, especially
sows with young pigs, can be very protective of their young
and may injure a person when aggravated.
Do not
go along as an "extra-rider" on a farm tractor. Bumpy, uneven
ground, quick turns and excessive speed may increase your
risk of falling and being run over by the tractor or trailing
equipment.
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: 04/2002
This
document is a Sample News Release produced by the National Safety
Council, Public Relations Department, 1121 Spring Lake Drive,
Itasca, IL 60143-3201, (708)775-2307.
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