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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-03-18, Page 56• Page 16A New safety standards to combat accidental deaths It's easy to forget just how dangerous agricultural occupations can be, especial- ly those that involve driving a tractor or operating other heavy machinery. But in 1984, the most recent year . for which figures are available, 120 people were xili- ed in agricultural accidents in Canada. Seventy-five per cent wee machinery - related deaths. Often forgotten as well, is the sad fact It's a fact that in Canada, almost 75 percent of agricultural -related deaths were caused by machinery. In order to curb the number of farm deaths which occur in the country, a new series of safety standards, have been developed which focus on safety around tractors and other heavy machinery. that children are often injured — and sometimes killed — in agricultural ac- cidents. In Ontario alone, 95 children have been killed in the past 12 years. Forty- seven percent of these deaths were ac- cidents involving tractors or other heavy farm machinery. But now, a new series of international safety standards for tractors and other heavy machinery could go a long way towards reducing the number of accidents and deaths that occur in Canadian agriculture each year. 75% of farm deaths machinery -related The new series of safety standards, for tractors and other major pieces of farm equipment such as sowing and planting equipment, were developed by the Interna- tional Organization of Standardization (ISO). "Ultimately, the new standards will reduce the probability of an accident due to poorly designed equipment," says Mr. Larry Chanasyk. Mr. Chanasyk, a farm equipment engineering manager, chairs the Canadian advisory committee brought together by the Standards Council of Canada to work on these and other interna- tional agricultural tractor and machinery standards. He says Canadians were instrumental in writing the new international standards, which is reflected in the, factthat they cor- respond closely with North American practices. This should prove a major ad- vantage tor Canadian manufacturers in an industry worth $2 billion a year. In fact, Mr. Chanasyk says the new ISO safety standards are already being used as guides in developing new North American safety documents. While the new standards are voluntary, their very existence will oblige all North American manufacturers to follow them closely, says Mr. Chanasyk, since they • represent the "state of the art" in agricultural machinery safety. This is also important to manufacturers for insurance purposes, notes Mr. Chanasyk. By building their machinery to comply with the new standards they can prove that their equipment meets such "state of the art" qualities. "The standards are an important first step in providing a' uniform basis from which manufacturers can start designing equipment that meets internationally recognized safety criterion," says Mr. Chanasyk. The standard specifies '`all the little safety features that we take for granted as being necessary, but that lots of manufacturers often don't follow." Mr. Chanasyk cautions, however, that a safety -conscious attitude on the part of machinery operators is still the most impr- tant element in accident prevention. "You can't idiot -proof a machine and you can't design out carelessness," he warns. • The Canadin experts who sit on Mr. ,Chanasyk's committee represent all in- terests including manufacturers, govern- ment, universities and users. Representa- tion on this (and all other ISO committees was organized by the Standards Council of Canada, the agency responsible for coor- dinating voluntary standardization within Canada and for ensuring an effective voice Turn to page 17A • Formosa Mutual, Insurance Ca • rO WC*a. c9HTRIiti3 es.—TAK1Kru '8.?ti • Formosa . ut'ua " Thsuran e Co. Specializing in FARM INSURANCE SINCE 1880 Proving a loss ` prevention service rd our policy holders.. • Is Your Farm Business Adequately Insured? • Has Your Farm Policy Been Through a Review Lately? • Do You Know What Would Happen to Your Business 1 You Had a Major Loss? 1f n _Of why not s in FARM tEVSt)ItAN ecialize e also, handle Life Insurance, Mortgage insurance,. Annuities & GIC's. Call us for NO OBLIGATION QUOTES CRA1G, McDONALD & REDD�N Insurance Brokers Ltd. TALK TO ONE OF OUR INSURANCE SRECIALISTS: Danny Craig - Jim Diemert - Bill Reddo.n - , Bruce . McDonald WA►'LKERTQN 881-2701 MILDMAY 3674297367-2197. "ygPiY-9�fi fMf ..aunt Ki , FORMOSA r6. 5i