The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 113,000 in the past three to four years.
Tractor roll-overs are a cause of many
farm fatalities, not only in Canada, but
around the world; roll -bars or protective
cabs are now compulsory in the United
Kingdom and parts of Europe. Weatherall
feels the stationary roll -bar is not as
adaptable in Canada and farmers often
remove them to go inside a barn or while
doing orchard work. The bars are often
left sitting until the farmer finds a
convenient time to put them back on.
Weatherall would like to see hydraulically
operated bars that can be hydraulically
lowered for tight spots and put back up
when the job is done.
Farm fatalities
May is the worst month for farm
fatalities with July and August a close
second; these are among the busiest
months of the year and a farmer may
overlook safety regulations to get the
crops sown quickly while there's good
weather. Mental preoccupation and fat-
igue are common factors in harvest time
accidents. Many machinery operators
have lost limbs because they thought
they could unplug a swather or combine
when it was running. The F.S.A. has a
decal that provides a stark reminder of
just how brutal farm machinery can be.
The circular decal is outlined by machi-
nery gears and there is an arm with two
wire hooks in the centre and the word
THINK. The message is clear!
An extra rider accounted for half of
child tractor fatalities in a seven year
survey on Ontario farm fatalities. Chil-
dren up to 15 have the largest accident
rate. Within this age group, three year old
children account for 60 per cent of the
fatalities.
Weatherall has helped establish a
school kit on farm safety that began four
years ago and it will be in all Ontario
schools by the end of 1984. A portion of
farm safety is taught each year by the
teachers. This program has been a real
highlight of Weatherall's involvement
with the F.S.A. because the end result
will mean more safety conscious children
will apply the knowledge gained them-
selves and also pass it on to their
parents.
Weatherall attended the 10th World
Congress held recently in Ottawa, along
with executive and senior staff of the
F.S.A. Delegates were in attendance
from 45 countries for the six day
conference. The F.S.A., with other farm
groups organized the curriculum for the
two days of the conference set aside for
agriculture. With the aid of spontaneous
interpretation, delegates speaking dif-
ferent languages came to the general
concensus that there is a definite
need to "standardize hydraulic outlets
on farm equipment throughout the
world." Hot oil from a hydraulic leak can
penetrate the skin and cause serious
injury. With different models of farm
machinery being exported around the
world, Weatherall sees a standardized
hose as the solution to such a dangerous
problem. P.T.O. shafts were standard-
ized throughout the world many years
ago. Another highlight, Weatherall has
received an invitation to speak about
safety in Germany and Spain next year.
Occupational health and safety is a
major issue with the F.S.A. Every worker
will eventually have health and safety
protection in their working environment.
Agriculture is currently excempt. Studies
by the F.S.A. to determine the need for
such legislation are being conducted,
and there appears to be a need in certain
areas. Three of these areas are; tractor
roll-over protection, the wearing of
personal protective equipment, and
shielding and guarding. "Occupational
health and safety has been exempt in
agriculture but in the very near future we
may have portions of that legislated in
agriculture." Weatherall says.
The last week of July is recognized as
National Farm Safety Week across
Canada. In conjuntion with this, a press
day will be held in Kemptville on July 7.
The press will be shown all aspects of
farm accidents at an experimental farm.
Farmers are urged to make every week a
farm safety week. Just like Morley
Weatherall. C
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THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983 PG. 9