Tractor Safety Classes to be held in the Panhandle

Tractor Safety Classes to be held in the Panhandle

April 6, 2007

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will offer National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) safety trainings at three Panhandle locations in May and June.

The trainings will be May 30-31 at the Farm And Ranch Museum in Gering, June 1-2 at 21st Century Equipment at Bridgeport and June 5-6 at 21st Century Equipment at Gordon. They are for 14- to 15-year-olds wanting to work on farms other than their parents'.

This program's goal is to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in agriculture. Fatalities have been tracked since 1969. Through 2006, there had been 1203 fatalities, an average of almost 32 per year, many of them children. Last year's 12 fatalities represented the lowest number since 1992.

Overturns are still the major cause of death with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) replacing tractors as the main cause. Five of the 12 fatalities in 2006 involved ATVs.

A federal law prohibits youth under 16 from working on farms other than their parents. Successful completion of this course grants an exemption for 14- and 15-year-olds to engage in agricultural employment. Course completion also fulfills the driving and testing requirement to operate machinery on public roads.

The National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) was developed after the U.S. Department of Labor declared in 1969 that many agricultural tasks are hazardous for youth. Employment of youth under 16 to perform these tasks is illegal except for those working on their parents' farm and those completing the exemption class. This exemption class completion allows 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor after 10 hours of training, and to do field work with mechanized equipment after 20 hours.

Producers who violate this law can be fined up to $10,000 the first time. A second offense can have the fine plus imprisonment up to six months.

Information and pre-registration are available at local UNL Extension offices in Alliance (308-762-5616), Scottsbluff (308-632-1480), Bridgeport (308-262-1022), Rushville (308-327-2312) or Chadron (308-432-3373). There is a $35 fee for materials and the first day meal. The second day will be for testing, driving and operating machinery, so participants should bring a sack lunch and dress for safety.

The exemption class goal is to help students recognize and assess risk while operating and being responsible for all aspects of farm employment. ATV and tractor safety along with understanding stability will be among the topics addressed.

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