Iowa
State University Extension
Most
operators try to bale hay quickly to avoid adverse weather
and a consequent reduction in hay quality. Unfortunately,
such haste can cause fatigue and the use of shortcuts that
result in accidents.
Large
round bales multiply the dangers of taking shortcuts. Often
bales reach a weight of 1,500-2,000 lb. and can be hazardous.
Operators without proper equipment and knowledge about big
bales may find themselves in a situation in which the bale
rolls backwards down raised loader arms, or causes the tractor
to overturn. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health,
four tractor operators in these situations were fatally crushed
in a three-year period by large round bales.
Here
are some safety tips:
- Never
try to stop a rolling bale. They have the momentum of a
subcompact car traveling at the same speed.
- Make
sure your tractor and loader are large enough to safely
handle bales. The uneven weight distribution affects stability.
Rollovers are common if equipment is not used correctly.
- Always
use a grapple hook if you have a front-end loader. This
keeps bales from rolling back onto the loader arms in the
raised position.
- Try
to keep the bale on the up-slope side of the tractor during
transport. This may mean you need to put the transmission
in reverse and back up a hill when using a rear-mounted
spike, or that you back down a hill when using a front-end
loader.
- Avoid
driving across a slope with a large round bale. Never drive
with the front-end loader in the upright position.
For
more information about baling safety, contact the _______
County Extension office for a free copy of Reduce Risks around
Big Round Bales, Pm-1518g.
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
news release was distributed by Iowa State University Extension
as part of the Safe Farm Program. Safe Farm promotes health
and safety in agriculture. It is funded by the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health, Iowa State University,
and a network of groups that serve Iowa farm workers and their
families. Distribution date: July 1993.
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