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Remember to talk safety this summer
Safety is no accident and is acquired through regular discussions and daily cultural practices. Physical injury is certainly more likely to occur where safety precautions and rules have not been established.
Flowing grain, riding insecurely on a tractor drawbar, using equipment improperly or extracting stuck equipment inappropriately are a few ways rural youth become in deep trouble as they play, live and work while experiencing situations that urban counterparts do not experience.
While one in five of serious grain bin incidents do involve individuals under age 22, most think grain entrapment is the leading cause of death. Actually, tractor rollovers are the most common cause of death, accounting for nearly one-half of deaths in the past 20 years.
Most people can think of a time when their life passed before their eyes. Grace has been extended to myself on two occasions that both involved agricultural situations and have permanently scarred my mind with “What if?” scenarios.
Once was trying to place a round bale into a feeder with a tractor that was much too small and without adequate rear weight. The ground was bumpy and frozen. While the forked bucket was up high, the round bale in tow started to roll and nearly rolled down the arms of the tractor and would have crushed me in my seat.
Additionally, as a child when riding on a tractor fender pulling a load of hay, my curiosity overcame me to stick my foot on the moving tractor tire to see what would happen. Yes, my foot was caught, but thankfully I was able to jerk my foot back.
In both of the previous situations, major errors were made. Equipment without adequate rear weight that was also too small is like using a dull knife to cut something. A dull knife is much more likely to hurt someone than a sharp knife used properly. The moral of the story is to use the right tools and equipment for the application.
In the latter situation as a child, my parents should not have allowed me to ever ride on a tractor fender or stand on a drawbar of a tractor pulling something. If an axle or hitch broke, certain disaster would occur. No matter how tight one thinks they are holding on, it is still not safe … period.
Thanks to safety programs, today many would not think of letting a child ride on a drawbar when towing an implement or riding on a fender of an open tractor, both practices that were commonplace more than 20 years ago in rural communities.
What causes us to do something we know we should not do? It is like the wet paint that says “Do not touch;” and what do we do? Most often we think it won’t happen to me this time, or everybody else does it and nothing happened to them. More so, when in a hurry or when frustration sets in, common sense and safety go out the window.
When extracting stuck equipment, one may become angry or embarrassed and use a chain or cable not rated for the application, or give a big jerk that results in a chain flying through the back of the vehicle or striking someone otherwise. Paying attention to tow components like hitch, tongue and ball ratings can avoid a serious accident.
Perhaps in a hurry, the safety shield or cover is not fixed or reinstalled after maintenance, leaving access to high voltage, moving parts, PTO or other dangers. Becoming blind to power lines when moving augers, elevators or other tall equipment or simply playing outdoors can quickly get one into trouble. Stop to think, become aware of surroundings and don’t make bad decisions.
Share these dangers with your children so everyone has a safe summer. Have a tailgate meeting to discuss safety with family and staff, and think about the fact that your family members need you. Maybe it takes a picture of your family in the tractor cab or RTV to remind you. You are too valuable to risk your life by taking shortcuts that will eventually burn you with an injury or worse.
Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Extension office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Evening and lunch appointments are available upon request.
Upcoming Events
June 8 – Knitting 4-H workshop, Extension office, 6-7 p.m.
June 8, 15, 22 and 29 – Walking group, 9 a.m., Big Walnut Sports Park
June 8 – The New Nutrition Facts Label, 5 p.m., Extension office, call to register
June 21 – ServSafe online exam, 9 a.m., register at https://purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops
June 30 – Summer Soil Health PARP, 9 a.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds, $10 for credit, register at https://tinyurl.com/SummerPARP