Extension Specialist Offers a Safety Review for Fall Maintenance
September 24, 1998
Greensboro, NC: Autumn is a time when farmers across the nation roll out their
harvesting equipment and head to the fields. Before they hit the starter, though, most
will take a little time for pre-harvest maintenance and inspection. It is during this time
that accidents frequently occur.
"Many people mistakenly think that accidents involving machinery occur only when the
machinery is being used," said M. J. Ibrahim, farm machinery safety and energy
coordinator with the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension
Program. "This misconception sometimes causes them to be less careful around
machinery that isn't operating. That's when accidents occur."
According to Ibrahim, farmers need to be just as cautious when they inspect their
equipment as they are when they're working in the fields.
"Equipment maintenance becomes so routine for farmers that they forget basic steps,
such as making sure that the machine is in park or neutral, with the parking brake
engaged, before working on it," said Ibrahim. "If steps aren't taken to prevent
equipment from moving, when adjustments are made, the equipment might move, crushing or
otherwise injuring people around it."
Ibrahim offers the following suggestions for safe equipment maintenance:
make sure machinery is turned off before working on
it.
make sure machinery is in park or neutral with the
parking brake engaged before working on it.
if a tractor is equipped with a front loader or
other accessory which can be raised, lower it to prevent it from dropping unexpectedly or
causing the tractor to be imbalanced.
wait a few minutes after machinery is turned off
before working on it. Some parts will continue to move for several seconds after power is
turned off.
never try to clear clogs or jams with the machinery
running. Once the jam is cleared, the machinery might start before you are able to move
your hands.
check hydraulic components for cracks and leaks which indicate that the component might fail.
"Harvest season is a time of great anticipation," said Ibrahim. "However, it can also be a time of great sadness due to unfortunate accidents, if the right precautions are not taken."
The NC A&T School of Agriculture is home to The Farm Safety Project, one of only six
farm safety intervention programs funded by Centers for Disease Control. Researchers
working with this project recently completed a survey of the state's farm safety needs,
and are formulating strategies to prevent future farm accidents.
The School is also a partner in the N.C. Institute for Health and Safety in Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries, the state's first collaborative agromedicine program, which also
involves East Carolina University and North Carolina State University.
In addition, the NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program regularly sponsors farm safety
events and programs.
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For more information, please contact M. J. Ibrahim, NC A&T State University
Cooperative Extension Program, (336) 334-7024.