The Melfort Ag Society hosted their annual Ag Safety Day on May 21, in conjunction with Monsanto and the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions (SAASE).
Kids in grades 2 and 3 had the opportunity to learn and expand their knowledge within a variety of farm related topics, while in an outdoor, interactive atmosphere.
Students were divided into groups, and then rotated through stations, which included ATV, PTO, tractor and equipment, first aid, road, water, chemical, animal, emergency action, electrical, fire and water.
Regan Kunz of Cervus Equipment spoke about the message behind his presentation, which focused around tractor safety, but also led into equipment such as sprayers and combines.
“The two main points that I’m trying to get across to the kids is don’t assume that the operator knows where you are when you are outside the tractor. Tractors are getting bigger and bigger and machinery is getting bigger, and kids are still the same size,” he said.
Part of Kunz’s presentation featured participation from the kids, where one is placed in the driver’s seat, and another is placed in different spots around the exterior of the tractor.
The child inside the cab was then asked if they are able to identify where the other is, which helps to illustrate to not assume that an operator can always see you.
Another part of the presentation was seatbelt safety, something that Kunz acknowledges is not always discussed, but is important when kids are riding in the buddy seat, and can easily accidentally open the passenger door and fall out when a machine is in motion.
“There’s a lot of rural kids here too, so some of them may be going home after school and riding in a tractor. If they can bring one or two points home and tell their dad, or their mom, or whoever, then it could have the potential to have some real benefit,” Kunz said.
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