3M Canada is launching a nation-wide farm safety initiative in an effort to enhance the need for farm safety and reduce the number of farming accidents.

In 1995, Statistics Canada reported that 15,460 farm operators were injured in farm related accidents. Many of these accidents could have been prevented had proper safety measures been taken.

Manitoba and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture have launched "Be Seen, Be Safe" campaigns to promote visibility as a way to decrease the number of farm vehicle traffic collisions. 3M Canada is responding to this initiative by introducing 3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond Grade™ Reflective Strips to farmers and farm agencies across the country. Although this product is not new, it has never been packaged as a consumer product in the past. Now, farmers can purchase the strips locally and place them on their farm equipment themselves. Diagrams and photographs on the package demonstrate proper placement of the industry's brightest reflective sheeting.

"We are excited about making this product accessible to farmers," says Suzanne Jackson, project supervisor, Traffic Control Materials. "Visibility of farm equipment has become a major concern. Hopefully by making this product more accessible, the number of farm accidents involving vehicles will decrease."