Safety system and handle member therefor

A handle member for use with an operator presence control and safety system for walk-behind and riding equipment, the handle member comprising:

• a flexible housing having an inner portion structured to be disposed around a portion of a rigid handlebar of the equipment and an outer portion adapted to be engaged by an operator of the equipment;
• an internal fluid flow channel formed in the flexible housing containing a fluid therein, the fluid flow channel being closed to the environment;
• and
• an electrical switch mounted in the housing adjacent the fluid flow channel and interacting therewith, the first electrical switch being in physical communication with the fluid flow channel so that pressure variances transmitted by the fluid within the fluid flow channel as a result of manual compression of a portion of the housing are conveyed through the internal fluid flow channel to the first electrical switch thereby actuating the first electrical switch for enabling operation of one or more functions of the equipment.