News
Equipment manufacturer encourages “safety first’ attitude
By Kubota -with Top Crop Manager
June 13, 2011 -June is the National Safety Council’s National Safety Month in the US. With more than 15,000 children injured every year, and with more than 100 dying of agriculture-related injuries, one equipment manufacturer is doing its part to reduce those statistics.
During the summer months, when the mood away from the classroom may a little more carefree, there is still a much-needed opportunity to learn more about on-farm safety. The Progressive Agriculture Foundation recently released statistics that are chilling in their scope: 15,011 children who visit, live or work on farms or ranches are injured, with more than 100 dying of agriculture-related injuries.
These staggering statistics make it imperative to focus on safety education for the entire family – early and often. Kubota is an industry leader in promoting equipment safety, and the company remains steadfast in its dedication to keeping families safe. With that goal in mind, Kubota reminds farmers that June is the National Safety Council’s National Safety Month, and offers the following tips to help equipment owners and operators start the safety conversation with safety messages for children:
• Stop, look and listen when playing outside, especially on the farm, and always be aware of your surroundings.
•Farm equipment is not safe to ride on even when an adult is present.
• Tractors are not toys. They are powerful machines only to be used by adults who are thoroughly familiar with the equipment.
• Children should never ride on a tractor; a tractor only has one seat and that seat is intended for the operator. Just say "no" if someone wants to give you a ride. It is not safe to be a "rider" when the tractor is intended for one operator.
• Stay out of the path of all moving equipment. And, stand far away from a tractor when it is being started; when it is running; and, especially when it is working.
• Never stand behind a tractor – whether it is running or not – the operator might not see you and you could get hurt.
• Be a "safety first sheriff" and encourage use of seatbelts for your entire family. Just like in a car, a tractor is equipped with a seatbelt for safety. Additionally, a Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) on a tractor is in place to protect the driver.
Kubota supports safety education for its customers and their families by sponsoring theProgressive Agriculture Safety Day education program, part of an effort designed to make safety education and training available for children year-round. Now in its 17th year, the program will conduct more than 410 Safety Day events this year across the United States and Canada. In 2010, the programs reached more than 95,700 participants with 18,000 adult and older teen volunteers.
Additional information about Kubota's support of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation education program, along with safety information including Kubota's "Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety," a safety podcast, and a downloadable tractor safety coloring book can be found at the Kubota website: www.kubota.com.
