Share the Road Responsibly

 

For those of us that have any rural driving in our day, some of the rules might be hazy on how to drive around farm equipment. With this time of year seeing an uptick of tractors and other farm equipment on the roads, now is a great time to review the basics.

It is OK to pass farm equipment on the road, but make sure to be familiar with the fine print. Here is a list from the North Dakota Highway Patrol website (link here):

"Farm equipment (described in ND Century Code as implements of husbandry) can legally be passed on most roadways in the state. Motorists can pass Farm Equipment when legal (watch for those striped, yellow lines down the center of the paved highways and NEVER pass on a hill) and safe to do so.

When approaching slow moving heavy equipment:

• Stay a safe distance behind the operator so he/she can see you in their side and/ or rearview mirrors
• SLOW DOWN-you will approach these vehicles much faster than you anticipate
• Be patient and use extreme caution when passing to make sure you have enough time to safely pass and avoid any oncoming traffic
• Be aware of roadway debris (the farmer may have just been in a muddy field) that may make the roadway slippery."

Remember to be patient and wait for a good opportunity to pass. We can share the road responsibly and make room for all the folks in agriculture who are extra busy this time of year. 

 

 

 

 

Basics on Exits

Sometimes it's important to go back to the basics, and this is as fundamental as it gets. What do employers need to remember about exits?

1. First and foremost, make sure exits are not blocked. While this might be one of the simpler rules, that doesn't mean it's easy to always enforce. It means even temporary inventory in warehouse areas cannot block an exit. It also applies to outside the exit, and during winter weather, it's easy for snow and ice to build up and keep a door from opening enough to facilitate exit. Keeping exits clear requires constant awareness.

2. Exit lighting - Exits must be marked with emergency lights and exit signs. These lights should be equipped to still illuminate when the main power supply is down, and per OSHA they need to be tested for efficacy every month for thirty seconds and once a year for a full ninety minutes.

3. Exit route maps - Surprisingly, this one is not a requirement under OSHA; however, local fire code can dictate that these are required, so be sure to check your local regulations. If you do proceed with posting exit route maps, make sure they are accurate, posted in areas where employees will notice them (such as break rooms or main corridors), and reviewed on a regular basis to incorporate changes as needed.

Complying with emergency exit regulations is not rocket science, but it requires a commitment from everyone to keep those exits clear. Be sure to reach out to TT&S with any questions. 

Local Fire Departments Can Help

EHS Today published a great article about an often underutilized resource: your local fire department.

Some of our member companies even have employees who serve on local fire departments, so that's an even closer link to use to your advantage.

Having the local fire team be familiar with your layout, any particular hazards such as batteries or chemicals on site, and your emergency response plan can be invaluable.

Taking the time to build that relationship can help to avert emergencies or speed up communication in the event of an emergency.