For many farmers,
their tractor is the most important
piece of equipment in the shed.
But tractors can be very dangerous
if not used safely.
Fact is, being run over by a tractor
is the leading cause of death
on Canadian farms.
On average, 15 Canadians are killed
each year in tractor runovers –
nearly 150 people over a 10-year period.
Countless more people suffer serious
injuries or barely escape injury
in tractor runovers.
All too often, the
root cause of these tragedies
is human error – people not considering
the risks they face when working
with the tractor, or not taking steps
to do the job safely.
Changing how we think about
tractor safety can help everyone
go home safely, night after night.
In this video, we'll look at how to
prevent tragic situations in which
you the driver, a nearby bystander,
or a passenger riding with you
get seriously injured –
or worse – when they are
run over by a tractor.
There are many situations
when you may need to briefly
get off your tractor,
such as to open a gate.
Since it only takes a second,
you leave the tractor running.
What could happen if the tractor
began rolling forward?
Or, what if you were hitching
to a wagon, and the tractor
started rolling backwards?
Would you be able to get out of the way
before the tractor ran over you?
The safe thing to do
is to shift the engine
into park, set the brake,
then shut off the engine.
It only takes a few
extra seconds, but it could
save your life.
A driver runover could also happen
when you bypass-start the engine but
the tractor has been left in gear,
so that it runs you over
as it rolls forward.
Suppose you're coming in for lunch
and your cell-phone rings.
You answer it while you're driving.
Just as you begin turning the corner,
your son, without seeing you,
comes towards you from the opposite
direction. It's horrifying to think
what could happen next.
You can prevent such a tragedy by making
sure that nobody is in your blind spot,
or standing, walking, or playing nearby.
Before starting up, do a
circle check and move anything
in your path. And always make
eye contact to ensure that you
and others nearby see
and acknowledge each other.
It's tempting to let a person
ride with you on the tractor,
whether it's a co-worker who's
standing on the draw bar,
riding in the bucket, or on an open wagon,
or your child sitting on your lap.
But what could happen if you hit a
jarring bump, or needed to stop
suddenly? The simple fact is
that tractors, wagons,
and other farm machines
are NOT passenger vehicles.
There should NEVER be an
extra rider on a tractor.
The only exception is when
an instructor is sitting
in the training seat during
controlled training sessions.
No matter what the cause, you can
prevent tractor runovers by
following three simple steps.
First, STOP. Ask yourself:
What could go wrong? Could you get knocked
off your tractor? Could you hit
someone else with your tractor?
How bad could it be?
Could there be a serious injury?
Could someone get killed?
Has anything changed? Did a child or
other worker just walk into the barnyard
Second, take a moment to THINK.
Do you understand how to
operate the tractor safely
in different conditions?
If you're not sure, ask.
Are you physically and mentally
ready for the job at hand?
If you're tired, distracted,
or feeling rushed, you're
more likely to put yourself
or others at risk.
And finally, ACT. Make it safe.
Ensure all drivers are properly trained.
Before making any adjustments
to the tractor, shut off the engine
and apply the parking brakes.
Make sure no bystanders
are in harm's way.
Back your tractor into the shed.
NEVER let someone else ride with you.
Reduce risks. Avoid distractions –
wait until you're stopped
before using your phone.
Take frequent breaks so you stay alert.
If you must bypass-start
the tractor, make sure the
engine is not in gear.
NEVER jump off a moving tractor.
If you have any doubt
whether you can complete a task
safely, STOP. Don't do it.
By understanding what
causes tractor runovers
and how to prevent them,
you can help ensure that
Nobody Gets Hurt.
Thanks to Dowler-Karn and Esso
for supporting the production
of this video.
To learn more
about tractor safety
and about Stop Think Act,
visit wsps.ca/farmsafety.