Today marks the beginning of Agricultural Safety Awareness Week.  The Agricultural Safety Awareness Program is a part of the Farm Bureau Health and Safety Network of professionals who share an interest in identifying and decreasing safety and health risks. Visit the ASAP Facebook page for more information and resources.
This year’s theme, ‘No One Can Replace You’ is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and how quickly accidents can happen.  While preserving lives is always the ultimate goal, we’ll also be sharing lots of tips and information about safety measures that keep us healthy and preserve our quality of life through the years.
Each day of the week is given a specific theme:
Monday—Hearing
Tuesday—Respiratory
Wednesday—Distracted and Impaired Driving
Thursday—Fire
Friday—General Health
Make sure to watch the MFBF Facebook Page to get each day’s tips and resources!
To get us started, let’s chat about a few safety tips regarding driving and farm machinery. Drivers should always be on the lookout for the Triangular Slow Moving Vehicle emblems.  These emblems identify vehicles that travel 25 mph or less.  A note to all you farmers and ranchers out there; if your equipment doesn’t have one of these emblems you should make it a priority to pick up a few extras the next time you’re in town.

Safe Driving & Farm Equipment

  • At 55 miles per hour, it will take only five seconds to close a gap the length of a football field between you and a tractor going five miles per hour.
  • Watch for hand signals that a tractor driver may use to signal turning or stopping.
  • Do not pull out in front of farm equipment. It cannot stop or slow down as easily as a car, especially if pulling other equipment.
  • If an over-sized farm vehicle is coming your way from the opposite direction, make sure you can pass it safely. If not, pull over and wait for it to pass.
  • Remember that if you must slow down to 20 mph behind a tractor for two miles, you will only lose six minutes.
Want more content and fresh ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry and fishing?  Visit the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers’ YouTube channel.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Ag Safety Awareness Week!