AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY MAINTENANCE:PREVENTING SHOP ACCIDENTS
Equipment maintenance and repair is
necessary to avoid down time and to minimize major repairs. However,
maintaining and repairing machines can lead to serious injury. Workers
should be trained in shop safety and have the proper equipment to minimize
or even eliminate the impact of shop accidents.
Causes
of Injuries When Repairing Machines
· Improper Lifting.
By lifting incorrectly or lifting items that are too heavy or awkward
causes back injury.
· Poorly Maintained Tools.
Using tools, such as chisels with mushroomed heads, could result in a
piece of metal flinging off and hitting a bystander or the worker.
· Improper Hydraulic System Maintenance.
Pinhole leaks in a hydraulic system with over 2,000 pounds per square
inch of pressure can easily penetrate skin.
· Using the Wrong Tool for the
Job.
· Unsafe Repair in Field.
Many accidents occur when repairing machines in the field without stabilizing
them so that the machine will not roll or fall and crush the worker.
· Dropping Heavy or Sharp Objects. The worker who fails to wear gloves, hard hats, steel-toed shoes, or other protective gear often suffers the worst injuries.
· Bad Wiring.
The old two-wire outlet and older power tools do not provide a ground,
thus exposing the worker to the potential of an electrical shock.
· Unsafe Work Areas and Habits.
Examples of unsafe conditions are such things as incorrect use of a ladder,
not blocking hydraulically-supported machinery when working on it, working
in an elevated position without proper footing, not using the right supports
or safety equipment, and cluttered work areas.
· Repairing Machinery While Running.
Trying to unclog a machine while it is running, tightening a bolt, or
doing other repairs is an accident waiting to happen.
· Poorly Maintained Work Area.
Leaving oil or other fluids or debris on the floors and workbenches can
cause falls.
Prevention
of Injuries When Repairing Machines
1. Develop
safe work areas, good habits, and establish good housekeeping practices.
2. Train
workers and family members and encourage safe work habits.
3. Maintain
machinery properly and promptly when repairs are needed. Read operating
and repair manuals and keep them handy.
4. Slow
down and take time to think. Visualize what steps need to be taken. Do
not rush a job!
5. Turn
off the machine when working on it. Prevent others from accidentally
starting the machine by removing the keys or the battery cable. Lock
the brakes and stabilize the machine. Do not use a jack alone to stabilize
a raised machine!
6. Keep
shields and guards in place.
7. Wear
proper clothing and protective gear. Do not wear loose, dangling clothes
that can become entangled in moving parts. Wear protection appropriate
to the job such as gloves, eye protection, ear protection, hard hats,
and steel-toed shoes. Wear
welding masks and goggles, gloves, and leather aprons when welding.
8. Use
ladders properly. Firmly place the ladder on the ground with a distance
away from the wall no more than 1 foot for every 4 feet of height. Do
not use metal ladders near power lines.
9. Lift
objects correctly. Lifting subjects the back to its greatest stress.
Keep the back straight while using the legs to lift the object. If heavy
objects are to be lifted, provide back supports for workers. Better yet-use
mechanical lifting devices.
10. Have
a hazard-free shop. A well-lit, clean work bench and work area, along
with a regular cleaning schedule of the shop area, will go a long way
in eliminating hazards.
11. When
working on electrically powered equipment, lock out the control box to
prevent someone from accidentally turning on the equipment while someone
is working on it.
12. Isolate
hazardous work areas. Have a proper storage area for paints, pesticides,
and oily rags. A separate area is needed for welding with a fan to vent
gases from welding. Keep compressed gas welding cylinders in a safe area
and secured so that no one can accidentally knock cylinders over and
accidentally break off the valves.
13. Be
aware of common safety hazards. Take the time to look where you are going:
not only ahead, but behind, to the side and above.
Compiled by John Fouts. For more information, contact WSU Extension, (509) 477-2048.
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