Skid steers are among a farmer’s most useful machines, but can also be quite dangerous, particularly for curious children.
Young children are among the most vulnerable to farm injury, according to Cultivate Safety, and they’re particularly vulnerable near a skid steer because of the child’s small size. More often than not, the operator simply can’t see a nearby child.
Cultivate Safety recommends that no one under the age of 16 operate a skid steer, and only if they’re instructed on the safe operation and appropriate use of the machine. It’s also important to keep all small children away from the worksite.
Follow the rest of their safety tips to help keep your skid steer worksite a safe one:
- Know your field of vision and learn all the blind spots.
- Keep bystanders at a safe distance.
- Never allow riders in the bucket or operator’s compartment.
- Instruct everyone on the farm to never approach skid steers until they’ve made eye contact with the operator and the operator stops the equipment.
Photo courtesy of John Deere
