RIDING SMART ATV AND UTV SAFETY ON THE FARM

Learning Objectives Today’s session will cover ATV & UTV: Characteristics Uses Safety gear Safe operation Farm usage Hazards on the farm

Uses of ATV & UTV on the Farm Hauling feed, straw, mulch, etc. Pulling wagons Apply pesticides Mowing Snow removal Herding livestock Fence repair

Fatalities & Injuries From , 11,688 ATV related fatalities 327 in in in ,865 ATV related fatalities of children younger than 16 years of age. 25% of total In 2011 est. 107,500 ATV related emergency department- treated injuries 27% children under 16 UTV- Between January 2003 and September 2010,169 fatalities and 299 injuries

Characteristics of ATV Handlebars 4 wheels Low pressure tires One seat –Straddle the seat No passengers

Other Characteristics of ATVs Drive lines: Drive mechanisms vary greatly. Several combinations of clutches, drive shafts, and differential locks Higher speeds and sharp turns can increase the risk of side overturns if the drive wheels are locked together for traction Power and Speed: Engines vary in size from 100 cc to 700 cc or greater Can travel over 50 mph High-speed operation of the ATV increases the risk of loss of control and rollovers

Characteristics of UTV Steering wheel Passenger seating Four, five, or six wheels depending upon its use. Occupant protective structure Seat belt Cargo bed

Other Characteristics of UTVs Made for work purposes –Hauling feed, mulch materials, and supplies A tool and not a toy Safe operation of the utility vehicle requires the same safe work habits as used with tractors, skid steer loaders, and ATVs Recommend that no operator younger than age 16 should operate the vehicle Always wear seat belt

ATV & UTV Safety Gear DOT helmet Gloves Goggles Long-sleeves Long pants Over ankle boots

ATV Operation and Safety Never carry passengers – increases the risk of overturn injury and death. – A second person changes the center of gravity of the machine and the machine’s steering ability. Know the machine’s limitations Avoid public roads. Check your state’s vehicle code for use of the ATV as an agricultural machine. Safety training for ATV use is the first step in being a qualified ATV operator. – –At a minimum, use the operator’s manual

Safe Use of Utility Type Vehicles Do not drive near ditches or embankments –If the ditch is 6 feet deep, stay back from the edge by at least 6 feet Never carry more passengers than the UTV is designed for –Do not permit extra riders to ride in the cargo box –Use the handholds –Buckle the seat belt

Safe Use of Utility Type Vehicles Cargo can raise the utility vehicle’s center of gravity –Risk of an overturn increases –Drive slowly and turn smoothly Secure the load from shifting sideways to prevent overturn Avoid driving on steep slopes. It is safer to drive uphill or downhill rather than across a slope Reduce speed over rough terrain to prevent the utility vehicle from bouncing –Operator and riders have been thrown from utility vehicles

Hazards on the Farm Loose, broken strands of wire Add-on equipment –Hooking on equipment –Flying objects Applying pesticides Herding livestock Ditches, rough terrain

Summary ATV/ UTVs are useful tools around the farm. Injuries and fatalities can result when used incorrectly. Always be familiar with your ATV/ UTV and it’s features. Always wear proper gear when riding or operating. Only carry passengers when seating is designed for them. Unique hazards exist on farms and when using an ATV/UTV for farm chores.

References Website- Safe Operations of Utility Type Vehicles (UTVs)- ATVs in Ohio All- Terrain Vehicles: Laws, Regulations, and Rules to Ride By (AEX-597)

For More Information OSU Ag Safety & Health The Ohio State University Ag Engineering Building 590 Woody Hayes Drive Columbus, Ohio Phone: Website: agsafety.osu.edu

This project was supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Rural Health and Safety Education Grant Program- grant number