If you live in an agricultural area, then you are probably aware that it is harvest season. With the transfer from summer to fall come ripening fruits and vegetables that are ready to be plucked. Corn and other grains are also ready to be pulled from the ground and sold to companies who will use these commodities to create many of the products we see on the grocery store shelves.
As farmers and ranchers rush to reap their produce during harvest season, the National Safety Council is reminding workers to take a step back and remember safety. Harvest time is the primary time for tractor injuries because the machines are being used constantly and run quickly. Tractor operators can end up being hurt by the heavy equipment if they aren’t careful, which will slow the production of the workers and in turn lessen the amount of crops harvested this season.
The National Safety Council has implemented National Farm Safety and Health Week this week to remind farmers and ranchers to think safety first. From September 16th through the 22nd, safety groups all over the United States will be championing for wise choices when working with heavy equipment. For many, safety starts with the use of a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS.)
This is a special attachment for tractors which will keep the tractor from flipping, and potentially harming the tractor operator in the process. According to the National Safety Council, if all tractors were required to install ROPS about 350 lives would be saved each year. This is because most motor tractor fatalities are caused by overturns. You can also reduce your risk of injury or death by installing seat belts in your tractor, even if the machine did not come with one.
If your tractor has ROPS but it is foldable, then make sure to keep the ROPS up at almost all times. If it is necessary to bring the ROPS down, then do so briefly and lock it back into place at the appropriate time. Don’t wear a seatbelt if the ROPS is folded down, but always keep one on when the ROPS is up and in place. Another helpful tip is to take extra precaution when operating a power take-off shaft or (PTO.) This is an effective means of transferring power from the engine of a tractor to the implement and attachments. Yet the PTO is exposed, and rotates with powerful speed.
The spinning PTO has the power to kill a human being. Therefore, you should always walk around but never over, through, or between the tractors. This is especially true if the PTO is running. Make sure to look at the operating instructions in your tractor manual regarding the PTO. When it comes to farm safety, it is a family affair. Remind your kids that they need to stop, look, and listen when playing outside on the farm, and remind them that tractors are not toys. Children should never be allowed to operate a tractor on their own. They should only be near these powerful machines with adult supervision and should not stand on or near the tractor.
If you have been injured on a tractor and were working for a landowner and farmer at the time, then you deserve worker’s compensation for your injuries. If your tractor malfunctioned, then you can also request compensation from the tractor manufacturer. If your loved one injured at a farm by standing near a tractor, then you may be able to sue the person that was operating the vehicle at the time for negligence. Talk to a personal injury attorney to determine whether or not you have a case!