The Rural Voice, 1982-04, Page 13thinks it can't happen to them. Didn't
they grow up with their dad doing the
same thing and nothing ever happening?
At the Thresher Reunion in Blyth, last
year, there were at least five tractors
loaded with children, some still babies.
The kiddies, having the time of their lives
were riding with dad through the crowd.
No one seemed to think anything about
the bad example.
It is well known that silos can be deadly
around filling time, but still, every year
there are some farmers or their helpers
who fall victim to them. Often it costs two
lives when a second person tries to rescue
the first.
Every year someone loses a hand, arm
or his life in the gathering chains of a corn
picker or combine when they plug with
green stalks. But it seems that everybody
thinks it can't happen to them, until it
does.
With the increased use of in -barn
manure storage under slatted floors,
more accidents through manure gases
happen today than ever before. Like a
cobra, coiled and waiting to strike,
innocent -looking until aroused, the man-
ure lies there. But when one farmer
entered his barn while the pits were
being emptied the cobra struck. Without
warning he immediately lost conscious-
ness. unable to reach the door just behind
him. He was fortunate that he fell against
the door which flew open and he ended
with his head in the open air. He
survived. Many don't.
Not long ago I visited a farm during silo
filling time. Tractors with unloaders
continuously scuttled across the yard,
where two little boys of three and five
years, blissfully unaware of the dangers,
played their little games. "Oh," the
father said, "they are used to it and will
get out of the way."
The Ontario Farm Safety Association
tries everything in its power to make
farmers aware of the dangers lurking in
unexpected places. It publishes numer-
ous "Farmsafe" newsletters, cartoons,
special bulletins and news releases. It
cajoles and threatens if necessary. It
makes farm employers aware of the laws
that require them to do certain things,
like the obligation that every farmer must
have a person trained in first aid on the
premises.
There are fairly heavy penalties for
farms where accidents happen and the
premium of the Workmen's Compensa-
tion Board can easily double.
The safety people's records show that
most accidents happen when:
1. Machinery is out of adjustment.
2. Worn or broken parts are not
replaced.
3. Cutting edges are dull.
4. Guards, shields and the like are not
in place or not functioning as they
should.
Now, before the heavy spring and
summer work begins, is the time to make
sure that these thngs are taken care of.
Many things can go wrong on a farm,
for example PTO without shield, liquid
and dry chemicals on the skin or in the
eye, chainsaw kick -backs, highway acci-
dents caused by faded slow vehicle signs,
poor electrical wiring and overloading of
circuits, stone thrown by the snowblower,
and injured backs through wrong lifting
practices.
It is no wonder that farming is the third
most dangerous occupation, after forestry
and mining. The pitfalls are legion.
Let the farmer beware.
LARRY MURRAY
Il N - St Merl,, Ont
519-284-1699
We are pleased to introduce
our Representatives in your area.
We have been in the business of
taking care of your animals
since 1928
• Animal Health Products
• Pre Mixes
• Mill Callibrations
• Feed Analysis
and more
Larry and Gerald are looking
forward to servicing your needs in
two areas. CaII them today.
these
Gardo Products Ltd.
Box 156, 99 Victoria St.,
Ingersoll, Ont.
HURON
gigi
GERALD SMITH
R.R. 2, Mildmay, Ont.
519-367-2857
519-485-1239 Collect
THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1982 PG 11