– Kent McGuire – OSU Ag Safety and Health Coordinator
Throughout the year there are a variety of farm tasks that involve working around equipment or livestock. In some instances farmers can find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, and be in a situation to be caught-in or caught-between objects, which can lead to serious injuries. Caught-in or between incidents occur for some of the following reasons:
– Working on or around moving equipment
– Working on equipment with stored energy (Example: Hydraulic cylinder)
– Inadequate guarding on equipment or guards have been removed
– Incorrect hitching practices
– Not being visible to the equipment operator
– Unaware of approaching danger in the work environment
– Being pinned against equipment or solid surfaces when working livestock
Some guidelines to use to prevent caught-in or caught-between incidents should include:
– Always shut down equipment before doing repairs or inspecting of equipment.
– Chock the wheels on equipment that could move or roll.
– Never work under equipment that is supported only by a jack. Use a secondary support device.
– Use the cylinder safety locks on equipment that support hydraulic cylinders, to prevent the release of stored energy in the cylinder.
– After servicing equipment make sure all guards are in place and properly secured
– When hitching or unhitching equipment, stand to the side, and be clearly visible to the tractor driver.
– Leave an escape route to prevent getting pinned between two objects.
– Use extra caution when working around equipment that uses belts / pullies: chains / sprockets: or PTO shafts.
For more information about the OSU Ag Safety visit http://www.agsafety.osu.edu or contact Kent McGuire, OSU Agricultural Safety & Health, at mcguire.225@osu.edu or 614-292-0588.