AgSafe (California)
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The
following safety module is intended to be used as a refresher
safety awareness session and is in no way to be used as a
substitute for job training nor proper equipment use.
You
must be trained by your employer on its agricultural machinery
before you operate it. Agricultural machines are comprised
of many parts requiring specific training in order to operate
them safely and correctly. Large machines are designed using
completely different engineering principles from cars and
other smaller motor vehicles. If you lack the proper training,
you could find yourself in trouble very fast.
After you have been trained
on your employer's equipment, it is important to begin your operation with a safety
inspection. (See Figure 1.) This means that you need
to thoroughly inspect all parts of the machine to be sure they are in good working
condition. Before operating equipment, you should:
- Inspect
all safety guards, including chain guards and PTO guards.
If any guards are missing or broken, notify your supervisor
immediately so they can be replaced or repaired.
- Check
all of the hydraulic lines and fuel lines to make sure they
are securely fastened and in good condition. Notify your
supervisor if you notice any leaks and bad connections so
they can be repaired or replaced. Check hydraulic lines
for pinhole leaks using cardboard only.
- Make
certain that all stops and speeds are set correctly. During
your equipment training you learned how the parts of the
machine respond once the power is turned on. This will help
you to notice any unusual noise or movements.
- Check
to make sure that the tension belts and chain drives are
adjusted properly.
- Keep
machine parts clean and free of accumulation of crop material,
dirt or debris.
- Never
operate any equipment that is not in safe working condition.
No jewelry or loose-fitting
clothing should be worn while operating agricultural machinery. (See Figure
2.) Machines that have revolving parts can easily entangle jewelry and baggy
clothes, drawing you into the machine very quickly. Make sure shirts that have
buttons are buttoned together at the cuffs and front, and clothing with zippers
are zipped up.
Adjust
your seat so you can easily reach all controls and see all
gauges and indicator lights. After you have completed the
initial safety inspection, you can turn on the power.
However, make sure that
everyone is at a safe distance away from the machine before starting. (See Figure
3.) Keep your mind on your work. Most agricultural machines require your concentration
in order for the process to run safely and efficiently. Do your best to avoid
distractions from your work.
Never
by-pass start any equipment. If the machine does not start
the way it was designed, inform your supervisor.
If it is necessary for
you to remove a safety guard, first get permission from your supervisor and make
sure the machine is locked out. Replace the guards immediately when the adjustment
or repair is completed. (See Figure 4.)
If the machine you are
working with jams or gets caught up on something, turn off the power and lock
it in the "off" position. (See Figure 5.) You must do
this FIRST before you attempt to make any adjustments. Your employer's lockout/blockout
procedure is to be followed immediately when you discover the machine to be malfunctioning.
NEVER leave a machine running unattended. Never attempt to repair the machine
yourself; however, inform your supervisor immediately after locking it out.
A lockout
procedure simply means to put a lock on the part of the machine
that controls the power to prevent it from being turned back
on. Or, remove the key and take it with you. To begin a lockout
procedure, turn off the power to the machine and lock the
switch, valve or block with a lock and key that is only used
for lockout purposes. It is VERY important that the machine
is locked off and not just switched off. Many deaths and serious
injuries occur each year when a machine is turned back on
while another person is inside it making the necessary repair.
Use
the lockout procedure whenever possible; only use the tag-out
method when a lockout method is unavailable. A tag-out means
using special tags that warn others of the danger of starting
up the machine. A tag should have a printed warning of what
could happen if the power to the machine is turned on, and
must be tough enough so it can't be removed accidentally.
Remember, tags alone do not prevent equipment from starting.
They are only warnings. If you use a tag system, you need
to be extra careful.
Do not operate any machine,
large or small, if you are feeling sick. (See Figure 6.)
If you are not well, notify your supervisor. Illnesses and fevers can dampen your
judgment and can create hazardous working conditions. It's just not worth the
risk of injury.
Unshielded moving parts,
such as snapping or husking rolls, straw spreaders and choppers, cutterbars, discs,
and feed rolls, cannot be shielded to protect you and still operate correctly.
For this reason, it is important that you concentrate on your work and watch your
movements and clothing around machinery. (See Figure 7.)
Do not allow other people to go near unshielded moving parts, except when the
machine is locked out and the person is a qualified person hired to make adjustments
or repairs.
Keeping your work area
and machine clean and free of clutter should become a habit for you. (See Figure
8.) Keeping walkways clear of clutter helps prevent slips and falls and also
reduces the risk of fires. All platforms and access ladders or steps should be
kept free from grease, dirt or debris by washing them with soap and water regularly.
If you must go to the top of the machine, clean your shoes or boots of any grease
with soap and water before climbing, and use the handrail as you climb. When you
are on top of the machine, watch your step to prevent falling off. Never jump
down from the top of the machine. Instead, use the ladder or steps.
If the noise level gets
too high for you to be heard correctly when you speak loudly, use hand signals.
(See Figure 9.) Ask your supervisor about the hand
signals that are used for your job. It is important for you to maintain constant
communication with your fellow employees at all times.
Do not permit riders on
any moving equipment, such as tractors, forklifts, etc., even if it is for a short
distance. (See Figure 10.) While moving the equipment,
keep your eyes watching for bystanders who may not see you coming, and always
travel at a safe, slow speed. If your machine is heavy and very large, check out
your path in advance for clearances, obstructions and ditches; locate an alternate
route if any are encountered. Drive with extra care if visibility is limited due
to rain or fog, or if ground conditions are icy, wet or very dusty.
Always
wear seatbelts, even if the machinery is equipped with a ROPS.
Seatbelts prevent you from being thrown from an over-turning
vehicle that could crush you from its weight.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This publication is compiled from various reference sources
and is designed to provide current and authoritative information
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that the publishers are not engaged in rendering medical,
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the Safety Center, Inc., and FELS believe the information
provided to be correct, but assume no liability for consequential
or other damages attendant to the use of this material.
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or FELS in any tribunal unless written notice of the claim
is delivered to the applicable entity within 30 days of
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be obtained by writing to Agsafe, 140 Warren Hall, University
of California, Berkeley,
CA 94720
.
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