The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2019 - Issue 63 | Page 36

36 FARM SAFETY & SECURITY
JUN/JUL 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk
SIMPLE SECURITY
The way farmers move around their property has evolved, from walking
to riding horses, now to driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). In 2019,
these vehicles are now the main workhorse for any farm, no matter
the location or size, due to their ability to tackle any terrain and move
heavy items from A to B with ease. So if they are stolen, the loss can
potentially affect how a farm runs effectively on a day to day basis.
Here are some top
tips to ensure your
ATV is secure:
• When purchasing an ATV
ensure the dealership you
purchase it from fits a tracker
system.
• Ensure that you record all the
serial numbers of the vehicles/
machinery you may have on
site as it will help you identify
vehicles if one is stolen.
• Make sure you are lighting the
right places on your farm (tool
sheds, fuel tanks and out-
buildings) and install motion
sensor lights that will auto-
matically illuminate areas if
any movement is detected.
• Report all incidents of theft
and any suspicious behaviour
to the police because if it is
not, the police will not know it
is happening.
• Keep all vehicles out of sight
and weld a metal cover over
the hasp to protect the build-
ing’s padlocks from being cut
with bolt cutters.
• Ensure that any storage areas
are locked with padlocks,
hasps and deadbolts.
• Regularly prune
any trees or
shrubbery that
could poten-
tially block the
light sources.
• Regularly tour
your farm to look
at spots that are in
permanent darkness as
well as vulnerable areas such
as gates, fences and doors that
could be damaged and may
need fixing or replacing.
• Do not leave any vehicles
outside when you have
finished
with them
and en-
sure the keys
have been
removed and placed
somewhere safe within the
house.
• Display signage at the front
of your farm telling visitors
where they cannot go.
‘ ensure the
dealership you
purchase it from fits
a tracker system
’
Can-Am provides utility users
with innovative, economical,
comfortable and versatile ATVs
and SSVs.
SIMPLE SAFETY FOR ATV USERS
WHEN you think of a farmer’s vehicles,
the first ones that come to mind are trac-
tors and all-terrain vehicles (ATV). These
are the cornerstone of any farm however,
what an ATV offers compared to other
vehicles is increased versatility in terms of
towing and hauling capacity and the capa-
bility to handle multiple terrains with ease,
from steep inclines to boggy field. These
benefits have led to ATVs becoming the
workhorse vehicles that are relied upon
on a day to day basis.
With that in mind, always remember that
the farm is a potentially dangerous work
environment, so it is important that when
using an ATV, safe riding is at the forefront
of the user’s mind when out in the field.
Here are some top tips when
it comes to rider safety:
• Make sure that the loads carried
on the racks are secure and even-
ly balanced and do not exceed
the capacity of the ATV (check the
manufacturers’ recommendations).
• Always be aware of your surroundings
and keep your eyes peeled for any
pedestrians, livestock, obstructions or
other vehicles.
• Inspect the ATV before use to ensure
that it is in good working order.
• Avoid sudden increases in speed as this
is one of the common causes for an
overturned vehicle.
• Always wear the correct personal
protective equipment (PPE) such as
a helmet, boots, long sleeve shirt and
trousers when out riding.
• When riding across a slope, keep your
weight forward. When going downhill,
slide your weight backwards, select a
low gear and use engine braking, which
leads to the reduction in
the need to use the brakes.
• When working a new area, make
sure you walk the route before riding
through it. This will give you a better
perspective of the dangers or obstacles
that you could come across.
• You cannot predict the British weather
as one minute it could be bright sun-
shine and the next it could be pouring
with rain, so be aware of changes
in ground conditions as these could
affect the loads you are carrying or the
attachments you are pulling.
• Always read the owner’s manual.
Can-Am provides utility users with
innovative, economical, comfortable and
versatile ATVs and SSVs.
See Can-Am at the Great Yorkshire Show - Stand 750