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Safety Makes Sense: with farm machinery - some basic rules

by F. R. Willsey, Extension Safety Specialist, Agricultural Engineering Department
It doesn’t help to tell someone to be careful unless they know how to be careful. This publication contains rather specific rules for farm machinery safety. Other material is available through your county extension office. Examples:
Safety Makes Sense . . .
. . . with Farm Tractors ... in Corn Harvesting ... in Forage Harvesting ... in Soybean and Small Grain Harvesting ... in Crop Production . . . with Farmstead Equipment . . . with Farm Machinery—Demonstration Ideas
People and Farm Machinery Accidents
Human errors are responsible for most accidents. Even most of those that are blamed on mechanical failure could have been prevented if someone had checked and repaired the equipment as the need arose. To err may be human, but it can also be deadly.
The following suggestions will eliminate many of the human problems associated with accidents.
1.	Permit only the operator on equipment while it is in use. Under no conditions should children or adults be permitted to ride along.
2.	Keep small children out of work areas unless accompanied by a responsible adult who can give them undivided attention.
3.	Give teen-agers work which they can handle safely. (Recognize such factors as sense of responsibility, experience, strength and ability to concentrate.)
4.	Make certain that operators of all machines, including trucks, are qualified—physically and mentally.
5.	Give extra supervision and instruction to inexperienced operators.
6.	Avoid excessive fatigue—take a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack.
7.	Keep your mind on what you are doing. Encourage others to do likewise.
Mechanical Care of Equipment
Don’t assume that equipment is safe merely because no accidents have occurred. Check equipment and eliminate hazards promptly. If you don’t they may eliminate you!
1.	Keep all shields and guards in place.
2.	Service equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions.
3.	Replace worn parts.
4.	Disengage the power when making repairs or adjusting the machinery.
5.	Never put on or remove a belt or chain while the pulley or gear is in motion.
6.	Maintain the proper adjustment of slip clutches.
7.	Do not jack up the machinery for repairs unless you use a jack stand to provide support if the jack fails.
8.	Do not allow grease or oil to accumulate anywhere on the machinery where you may have to climb while getting on or off or while servicing the machine.
9.	Use metal sediment bowls to reduce fire hazards. Also check for fuel leaks.
10.	Keep exhaust systems in good condition to reduce fire hazard.
Operational Safeguards
1.	Use special caution when working near exposed moving parts. (Some can’t be entirely shielded and still perform their function.)
2.	Reduce tipping hazards by spreading the rear wheels as wide as practical.
3.	Insist upon a sturdy, comfortable seat on tractors and self-propelled equipment. Adjust it to suit the operator.
Cooperative Extension Service, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, Lafayette, Indiana