South Dakota Farm Bureau
NEWS RELEASE
 
For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
September 20, 2006

Michael Held

 (605) 353-8050
 

Wayne Smith

 (605) 997-2346

  

National Farm Safety Health Week – Sept. 17-23, 2006

 

National Farm Safety & Health Week is an annual promotion from the National Safety Council commemorating the hard work, diligence, and sacrifices of our nation’s farmers and ranchers. The 2006 event marks the 63rd consecutive signing of a proclamation by a U.S. President, beginning with FDR in 1944.  This year’s theme is “prepare to prevent.”

The South Dakota Farm Bureau’s women’s committee is working to help farmers and ranchers increase all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safety.  ATV’s are extremely popular across our nation. And their popularity continues to grow among farm and ranch consumers who are now using them more and more for daily work chores. Unfortunately, with this rapid expansion of popularity has also come a significant increase in serious, disabling injuries among ATV users and riders.

Much of this increase in ATV-related injury incidents can be attributed to children and youth operating ATVs designed for adults, and the failure of ATV riders to wear personal protective gear. Many serious or even fatal injuries to ATV operators and riders could be prevented if the following rules were closely followed:

Being Prepared to Prevent ATV Injuries

▪ Never allow younger children and youth to operate ATVs designed for adult-use only. The industry recommended “rule of thumb” is that no one under the age of 6 should operate any ATV, no matter what its specified ATV engine size. And, no one under age 16 should be operating an adult-sized ATV!

▪ Keep in mind that the industry’s rider age and engine size recommendations are to be used as broad guidelines only. The real test of the appropriate age of an operator and size of machine is the youngster’s strength, skills and judgment. And parents need to take a significant supervisory role in making the final determination.

▪ All ATV riders and/or operators should always wear an approved safety helmet and protective eyewear. In addition, operation of ATVs in rugged use areas or during competition events may require the use of durable gloves and protective clothing to cover the legs and feet.

For additional information on ATV safety, contact the ATV Safety Institute in Irvine, California at (949) 727-3727. For information on the location and availability of ATV safety training programs, dial (800) 887-2887, or contact the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in Peosta, Iowa at (888) 844-6322.

 

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