Wintertime Pla y

Snowmobiling

For the past several years, we
have been saying that snowmobil-
ing is the fastest growing winter
sport in the country and apparently
the statement continues to be true.
The number of machines sold each
year increases over the previous
year, the number of complaints
from farmers, sportsmen, and law
enforcement officers has multiplied,
and the number of accidents and in-
jurics as a result of improper use
has soared.

The principle hazards for snow-
mobile operation are:

e Hitting things hard to see in
darkness or when visibility is low
(especially cables, fences, wires,
and pipes) ;

e Venturing onto thin ice;

e Loss of control caused by ac-
celerator jamming or inexperience
of the operator;

¢ Snowmobile trailer breakaway;

e Exposure to weather when lost
or suffering a vehicle breakdown.

Snowmobiles can be great fun,
but they must be used with good
sense. The following 10 points can
be used as an employee notice,
handout at the end of a safety meet-
ing, or for points of illustration in
the company publication.

1) Driving instruction is re-
quired for the safe operation of a
snowmobile.

2) Treat a snowmobile with re-
spect and care due any power
driven vehicle, and recognize the
limitations of operating ability.

3) Study carefully the operating
manual supplicd by the manufac-

turer of the snowmobile.

4) Know your legal status re-
garding licensing, traffic regulations,
and responsibilities pertaining to
public liability and property damage
when operating a snowmobile.

5) Avoid public thoroughfares
and when necessary cross them at
right angles using extreme caution.

6) Do not operate a snowmo-
bile on frozen lakes or rivers
without first checking ice thickness
and having an intimate knowledge
of water currents.

7) Wear protective, warm, wind-
proof clothing, insulated footwear,
and mitts, shatterproof, tinted gog-
gles, and a safety helmet.

8) For casual snowmobiling,
within reach of assistance, carry
spare drive-bclt and spark plugs
with tools for installation.

9) For a distant safari, the fol-
lowing pieces of equipment should
be carried: snowshoes; emergency
fuel; map and compass; axe; knife;
water-proof matches; mess_ kit;

emergency rations; first aid kit; wa-
ter-proof shelter; survival blanket.

10) Do not attempt distant sa-
faris without an experienced person
in charge; use the “Buddy System”
—two or more snowmobiles.

Salety

Pays

24

Well