Clemson Agricultural Safety

Questions

1. What percentage of PTO related incidents result in loss of limb or life?
2. Before working on or around equipment, what should be your first step?
3. Before operating equipment, what should you check for on the PTO shaft?
4. True or False: You should always wear gloves when working around moving parts of equipment.
5. True or False: You should never step over a spinning PTO shaft. 

Answers

1. Over 60%
2. Disengage the PTO, auger, belt, or other moving piece, and then completely shutoff the equipment
3. Check that all proper guards are in place and secure
4. False
5. True

Entanglement incidents often occur when a person or their clothing, hair, or jewelry are pulled into a rotating or moving piece or part of equipment. These types of incidents can happen instantly and often lead to serious injury, amputations, or even death. By human nature, we often become complacent when working around rotating or moving equipment after years of working on the farm; it is important to be mindful that incidents can happen to anyone and that experience does not prevent injury! It is noted that over 60% of all PTO related incidents result in loss of limb or life!

High Risk Equipment on the Farm

• PTO Shafts
  • Rotating PTO shaft can wrap around loose clothing, jewelry, long hair, or limbs.
  • It is extremely important to keep PTO shields and guards in place and never operate a piece of equipment that has an exposed PTO shaft.
  • When working around the PTO shaft, always ensure that the PTO is disengaged and that the equipment is turned off. Older equipment may have live PTOs or lever engaged PTOs. Lever engaged PTOs can suddenly be engaged if the equipment is running due to the vibration of the engine.
  • Never step over a spinning PTO shaft. Loose pant legs can easily be caught in the shaft and pull you into it.
• Augers
  • You should never clear an auger while it is in operation, always make sure to lock-out/tag-out.
  • Often times, materials that are being moved with the auger can sharpen the flutes and result in loss of limb if you become entangled.
• Belts and Pulleys
  • Hands and clothing can quickly become caught in moving belts and pulleys.
  • Never working on belt/pulley systems while equipment is running.
  • Ensure that all guards are in place and never let small children play around moving parts.
• Chains and Sprockets
  • Open chains and sprockets can often grab gloves and loose clothing such as pant legs.
  • Before working around chains and sprockets, ensure the equipment is turned off and all loose clothing and hair is out of the way.
• Hay Balers & Harvesters
  • Balers and harvesters have many moving parts that often times need to be cleaned. Before working on equipment ensure that turned off and all parts have stopped moving before cleaning debris.
  • When working around headers, ensure that the engine is turned off, you can be pulled into a header in a matter of seconds!
• Rotary Mowers
  • Remember that even after you shut off your PTO, the blades with continue to spin until they have lost all momentum. Never work around blades while they are still in motion.
  • Never approach a rotary mower that is still engaged. Debris can be thrown at fast speeds and strike you when you approach.
  • Never walk across a rotary mower. Incidents have occurred where a person has fallen through the top of a rotary mower into the blades.

Prevention and Safety Practices

• Engineering Controls
  • Install and maintain guards: PTO shaft shields, belt covers, and auger shields should always be present during operation. These shield and guards are there to keep you safe and out of contact with the moving pieces. Some older equipment may not have factory guards or shields. Retrofit older equipment to ensure safety!
  • Use cut-off and kill switches: Emergency shutoffs should be within reach of the operator in the event that something does go wrong and you quickly need to kill power to the equipment or PTO.
• Administrative Controls
  • Lock-out/Tag-out: Always ensure that equipment is fully shut off, keys are removed, and the power is disconnected before working on equipment. This can prevent accidental turn on of equipment while you are working on it!
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop written steps to follow before starting, maintaining, or cleaning any equipment. SOPs should be reviewed annually to ensure they are up to date with the correct safety information.
  • Safety Trainings: All employees, including family, should complete annual training to ensure they are aware of all hazards of equipment.
• PPE
  • Fitted Clothing: Loose clothing items can easily become entangled in moving equipment.
  • Hair Restraints: Long hair should be worn up as it can become wrapped around shafts, belts, and other moving components. We are sure that you do not want that kind of free hair cut!
  • No Jewelry: Rings and chains can snag on moving equipment and often result in the loss of fingers and hands.
  • Proper Gloves: You should never wear gloves when working around moving equipment. Gloves can get caught in the equipment and pull your hand into the moving parts.
• Behavioral Tips
  • You should never bypass safety guards. Remember, they are there for a reason!
  • Always keep a safe distance away from all moving parts.
  • Never work alone on high-risk equipment.
  • Remember that incidents can and will happen in a split second. Never rely of the “I’ve done this a hundred times” mindset.