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April, 1999
ACCIDENT CLIPS AND SAFETY TIPS:
Part Time Employee Killed in Crash While Moving Farm Equipment
On March 4, 1999 a 24-year-old part-time farm employee was driving a
payloader, using it to move farm equipment on a public road to a
consignment auction. He lost control going down a steep hill. The
vehicle rolled over according to the Montcalm County MSUE newspaper. The
payloader had a cab but did not have a rollover protective frame within
the cab structure. The victim was pinned inside the crushed cab.
Extrication techniques were utilized, however the victim died.
SAFETY TIP: Some farm tractors and construction equipment can "freewheel" and provide no engine braking at certain speeds, especially when traveling downhill. If your tractor or equipment has this characteristic, travel downhill using only shift positions (specific gear locations) that provide engine braking. Fish-tailing or severe braking at high speeds when going downhill can cause jack knifing and rollovers. Shift to a lower gear before going downhill. Check to see that your farm tractor brakes are locked together. Braking just one wheel can swerve a tractor out of control. Wide wheel spacing on tractors also adds to the lateral stability of your tractor.
Starting a Tractor With a Loader Bucket While Standing
Next to It Results in Death
On March 5, 1999 a 20-year-old was attempting to start a tractor
while standing next to it with the loader bucket in the raised position.
While trying to start the tractor, he accidentally pushed a control
lever for the loader. As the loader came down, the loader arm caught him
and impaired his breathing.
His mother discovered her son and with the help from a passerby managed to free him. He was transported to a local hospital and then to a regional trauma center. The victim died later that evening.
SAFETY TIP: Starting equipment from the ground rather than from the operator’s platform contains the risk of being run-over by a tractor left in gear or, in this case, by contacting a control lever resulting in the unexpected movement of an attached implement. Taking the time to get into the operator’s seat can prevent this form of injury or death.
Howard Doss
