By 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.