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4.10 Farm and Landscape Equipment Safety

4.10 Farm and Landscape Equipment Safety

These guidelines provide information to prevent farm accidents and to comply with agricultural safety and health best practices. Farm incidents can be greatly reduced if these guidelines are applied during the course of regular farm operations.

Managers should help employees conduct farm operations in a safe manner and adhere to these guidelines.

4.10.1 Tractor Safety

The following guidelines apply to tractor safety:

  • Provide a rollover protective structure (ROPS) for each tractor except for low-profile tractors used in orchards, vineyards, or other areas where the vertical clearance of a ROPS would substantially interfere with normal operations. Folding ROPS should be kept upright during operation.

  • Provide a seat belt for each tractor equipped with a ROPS. Instruct employees how to use them, and ensure that they do.

  • Immediately clean leaks from batteries, fuel tanks, oil reservoirs, and radiators, and repair the cause of the leaks.

  • Inform every employee who operates a tractor or other piece of equipment about the operating practices listed below and about any other safe practices. Provide training at the time of initial assignments and at least annually thereafter.

4.10.2 Operating Practices

Employees who use tractors should use the following safe operating practices:

  • Securely fasten the seat belt if the tractor has one.

  • Where possible, avoid operating the tractor near ditches, embankments, or holes.

  • Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, or driving on rough, slick, or muddy surfaces.

  • Stay off slopes too steep for safe operation.

  • Watch where you are going, especially at row ends, on roads, and around trees.

  • Do not permit others to ride on the tractor.

  • Operate the tractor smoothly, with no jerky turns, starts, or stops.

  • Hitch only to the drawbar and to hitch points recommended by the manufacturer.

  • When the tractor is not in use, set brakes securely and use the park lock if available.

4.10.3 Equipment Safety Guards

The following apply to equipment safety guards:

  • Instruct every employee how to safely operate equipment that uses safety guards. Instruct them when they are initially assigned to the equipment and at least annually thereafter.

  • Keep all guards in place while operating the equipment.

  • Permit no riders on farm field equipment except those who are being instructed or who are necessary in operating the machine.

  • Stop the engine and disconnect the power source before servicing, adjusting, or cleaning.

  • Make sure everyone is clear of the machinery before starting the engine, engaging power, or operating the machine.

  • Lock out power before performing maintenance on farm equipment.

  • Use a guard, shield, rail, or fence to protect employees from moving parts. Each guard should withstand the weight of a 250-pound (113 kg) individual, be free from burrs and sharp edges, and be attached securely to the equipment or building.

  • Ensure that the guards for power take-off (PTO) and driveline are correctly installed and properly maintained.

  • Provide tractors and other pieces of equipment with warning labels to prevent PTO injuries. Keep warning label clean and visible.

  • Guard all power-driven gears, screw conveyors, belts, chains, sheaves, pulleys, sprockets, and idlers. Do not remove guards or access doors until all components have stopped.

  • Guard grain-bin sweep augers.

  • To prevent potential stored energy from causing injury when equipment is serviced, follow procedures found in section 4.15, “Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Program.”