As machinery becomes bigger, more powerful and faster, the risks increase for more serious and expensive accidents.
Statistics Canada reported in 2006 that 13,801 Canadian farms had one or more injuries that needed medical treatment or resulted in lost time.
The most frequent causes included the unsafe use of equipment or material handling practices, followed by fatigue, trying to save time and miscommunication between workers, according to the Census of Agriculture from 2001.
Ian Bunbury, vice-president of Avenue Machinery Corp. in Abbotsford, B.C.,
said the economy is hot, farms are becoming bigger and everyone’s lives
Read Also
Stacking Canada up on gene editing livestock
Canada may want to gauge how Argentina and other countries have approached gene editing in livestock and what that has meant for local innovation.
have time crunches.
Larger farms that are often spread over many quarter sections require bigger machines and farmers need to take them from field to field. Custom operators and large corporate farms often use these larger combines and tractors, some of which are capable of travelling 60 km-h.
That movement around the countryside is a newer phenomenon in North America, but is commonplace in Europe, Bunbury said.
“Europe has been faced with this for a long time, farming little bits all over the place.”
He said Europeans are much further ahead in establishing road speeds for
tractors and other machines.
North American manufacturers are gradually adopting similar guidelines.
Bunbury said big machines are safe enough when used by experienced, trained, licensed operators and when regulations and guidelines are followed.
They can extend out 16 feet but are heavy, sophisticated and stable with a low centre of gravity. Low tire pressure also helps absorb the bumps, he said.
“A big tractor trailer or a tanker truck is more dangerous on the road in soft shoulders or bad bump situations.”
He advised producers to do more than read the manual because it focuses mainly on operating the machine in the field.
Bunbury said people new to such machines should orient themselves to the equipment. He also advises safety training for anyone who farms.
“For us all to be more aware and take precautions and be ready for trouble would be all good.”
Tips for moving equipment safely
- Place flags on vehicles wider than eight feet or higher than 13.6 feet.
- Use pilot cars and flashing lights.
- Maintain safeguards on equipment.
- Check the local municipality’s rules for safely transporting equipment.
