While many of Alberta’s farm fields are still resting under a blanket of snow, producers across the province are getting plans into place for this coming year’s crops. During the busy spring season, farmers often travel long distances between fields, which requires transporting equipment on public roads throughout rural Alberta.
“Along with the rest of the preparation for spring seeding comes tasks like equipment maintenance and inspection,” says Nicole Hornett, farm safety specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Equipment owners and operators are responsible for maintaining the safety of their equipment, which also includes adequate lighting and markings to increase visibility.”
Recently, staff in the Alberta Farm Safety Program, in collaboration with transportation safety specialists, revamped the Safe Transportation of Farm Equipment in Alberta publication. “The booklet still contains information on the road and transportation safety regulations for tractors, self-propelled implements and towed implements,” explains Hornett. “A new section was added for power line safety and high load moves.”
The publication is written to reflect the Traffic Safety Act but does not supersede it. Inside, readers will find illustrations on how to adequately mark farm equipment for both daytime and nighttime travel. “Diagrams in the book show how and where to display a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) sign on the tractor or self-propelled implement that will be travelling at speeds less than 40 km/h,” says Hornett.