John
G. Pollock
Cornell Cooperative Extension
We can
only guess why Todd climbed into the unloading wagon when
it was running. Nobody else was there to see what happened.
Perhaps something went wrong with the moving apron under the
chopped forage and the material was not advancing into the
beaters. Perhaps the beaters just could not break up the feeding
material and became clogged. Whatever the reason, it was the
last thing that Todd did because he was caught in the beaters
and killed.
The
name in this story is fictitious, but the story is true. During
the last seven years, six workers on New York State farms
have been killed when entangled in self-unloading forage wagons.
Most were youthful workers. Somehow, they are missing the
message that forage wagons are dangerous.
Prevention
techniques are not complicated, but often go ignored. The
purpose of new safety devices on forage wagons is misunderstood
and the devices are misused. Consider the following safety
precautions.
Keep
wagons well maintained. Workers climb into running units because
of a breakdown. The urgency of keeping the haying operation
going overrides the need to work safely. Preventive maintenance
before the haying season can greatly reduce downtime. Conveyors,
augers, and beaters should work smoothly, without excessive
clatter. Moving parts and PTO drives should be shielded if
possible. The safety trip bar should be operational.
The
safety trip bar should not be used as a drive-control device.
The trip bar is an emergency mechanism; it will not prevent
accidents. It may reduce the severity of an injury but the
trip bar is designed to work when an entanglement occurs.
Using the trip bar as a drive-controller may give false security
to workers believing it is acceptable to work close to the
beaters when they are running. Always shut down the power
to the wagon before working on or near any power shafts, pulleys,
gears, augers, conveyors, and especially the beaters.
Observe
other wagon safety rules. Move wagons at reasonable speeds.
Don't coast downhill. Avoid ditches, steep banks, and obstacles.
Keep tires in good repair. Don't overload the wagon. Keep
riders off wagons. Be cautious when hitching and unhitching
wagons; block the wheels to prevent unwanted movement. Use
a tractor large enough to provide proper braking for the loading
of the wagon.
Equip
heavy highway haulers with brakes. Saving some money when
purchasing wagons and trailers through not buying brakes may
be a fatal mistake. Listen carefully to the advice of the
manufacturer and dealer. Brakes may not be required but they
are smart business.
Be particularly
safety conscious on public roads. Young workers often have
the task of hauling wagons back and forth from field to storage
facility. You must be confident that the worker is skilled
and mature enough to handle the job. Know the laws and obey
them. Use good road manners by staying in your lane. If traffic
backs up behind you, pull over and stop to let it pass. Be
courteous even if other drivers are not.
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
John
G. Pollock, Executive Director, NYS Rural Health and Safety
Council at Cornell
Source:
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, Ithaca,
NY
Provider: Ag Information Services -- News & Publications,
Penn State
January 6, 1994
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