farm safety


Hazard points and guarding


Working aroundmoving parts on farmequipment can be very dangerous if safe work procedures are not followed.


M


achinery guards, when they are in place and properly maintained, provide a


physical barrier to the hazard points and reduce the risk of injury. Farmers and farm workers have been injured or killed because guards were not installed or were used improperly. Guards and decals that identify the danger must be kept in place whenever the machine is operated. Guards or shields removed for maintenance must be replaced properly before use. Inspections must be done prior to using any equipment on a daily basis. If you notice any broken guards or missing labels, please inform a supervisor.


It’s important to be aware of hazard points created by the motion of machinery components. Guards are physical barriers that prevent access to these:


Pinch Points — where two parts move together and at least one of them moves in a circle; also called mesh points, run-on points, and entry points. When guards cannot be provided, operators must avoid contact with hands or clothing in pinch point areas. Never attempt to service or unclog a machine while it is operating or the engine is running. Wrap Points — any exposed component that rotates. Watch components on rotating shafts, such as couplers, universal joints, keys, keyways, pins, or other fastening devices. Splined, square, and hexagon- shaped shafts are usually more dangerous than round shafts because the edges tend to grab fingers or clothing more easily than a round shaft, but round shafts may not be smooth and can also grab quickly. Once a finger,


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thread, article of clothing, or hair is


caught it begins to wrap; pulling only causes the wrap to become tighter. Shear Points — where two components move across each other in a scissor-like motion. Remember that crop cutting devices cannot be totally guarded to keep hands and feet out and still perform their intended function. Recognize the potential hazards of cutting and shear points on implements and equipment that are not designed to cut or shear.


Crush Points — between two objects moving toward each other or one object moving toward a stationary object. Never stand between two objects moving toward one another. Make certain the driver knows where the helper is at all times when hitching a tractor to an implement. Do not move between the two objects to complete the hitching until the backing vehicle is completely stopped and the brake is set. Never stand between the tires of an articulating four-wheel drive tractor. Use adequate blocking or lock- out devices when working under equipment.


Pull-in Points — where objects are pulled into equipment, usually for some type of processing. Machines are faster and stronger than people. Never attempt to hand-feed materials into moving feed rollers. Always stop the equipment before attempting to remove an item that has plugged a roller or that has become wrapped around a rotating shaft. Remember that guards cannot be provided for all situations – equipment must be able to function in the capacity for which it is designed. Thrown Objects — any object that can become airborne because of moving parts. Keep shields in place to reduce the potential for thrown objects. Wear protective gear such as goggles to reduce the risk of personal injury if you cannot prevent particles from being thrown.


Power Take Off (PTO) — tractors must have a master shield over the PTO drive. Connected equipment must have a tube or tunnel guard over the PTO shaft. Safety decals must be on equipment and must be clearly visible.


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