Tractor Users Safety Guide

Tractor Safety Guide: Basic Safety Procedures Before Tractor Start

Tractor safety is applies to those working in farming, forestry, horticulture, amenity horticulture and the sports turf industry.

Simple but essential safety steps would have prevented most of the accidents on farm and can save tractor user's life.

Before you start a tractor, you must know the basic safety procedures.
Safety checks:
Check that if you have weared suitable clothing and footwear or not?
Check that, have you read and understood the instruction manual?
Check, how you are going to do this work?
Check that, have you carried out pre-start checks of the machinery?
Check that, do you know enough to work safely?

Safe stop:
Make sure the handbrake is fully applied.
Make sure all controls and equipment are left safe.
Stop the engine.
Remove the key.

Always use safe stop before leaving your seat; or when anyone else approaches; or when anyone else is working on the machine.

You need to take extra precautions when safe stop is not possible, for example when using power take-off (PTO)-driven stationary machinery such as slurry tankers or operating external controls.

Key points
- Never use a machine unless you are trained and know how to use it safely.
- Make use of relevant training courses such as those run by training providers, agricultural colleges and manufacturers/dealers.
- Keep long hair tied back.
- Remove any jewellery that might snag - don’t forget watches and rings.
- Find and read the operator’s manual - keep it handy.
- Never use a machine unless it is properly maintained.
- Keep away from moving machinery - remember that some machine components will continue to rotate or move even after the engine has stopped.
- Wear footwear with a good grip - safety boots are best.
- Wear clothes that will not snag on machinery - preferably overalls.

Source:http://www.hse.gov.uk/