June 8, 2010
Tractors are the work horses of the farm and ranch, what would we ever do without them? When operated properly and safely, a tractor is an essential tool for production and turning a profit. When operated improperly or unsafely, the tractor can be a factor in large financial losses, and it can cost you or someone else, their life.
Equipment safety training is one of the most crucial parts of your safety program. Since most equipment accidents are caused by operator error, it just can’t be understated. And unfortunately, most equipment accidents are serious, if not deadly. It’s hard to believe that tractor rollovers are still one of the leading killers on a farm.
It’s the law, if you have employees, and they operate a tractor, they must receive annual tractor training. It doesn’t matter, if they have operated a tractor all their life, or just started yesterday, they still require training. Obviously, the experienced operator will require less, but they still need training.
The steps I recommend for training are:
• Show Them How You Want It Done (Always provide training materials)
• Test Them On Their Knowledge (Written, oral, or practical)
• Monitor Their Operation (Supervisor observation)
• Document It (Training form)
Show Them How You Want It Done People retain more from their training when they are physically shown what to do, this can be done though hands-on, video, pictures, or PowerPoint. Of course nothing is better than hands-on. This is one of the only times that riders should be allowed on equipment, and only if it’s an enclosed cab. Training should be in-depth, and specific to the equipment they will be operating. I am a firm believer that you should always provide training materials, along with the training.
Test Them On Their Knowledge
Once training has been provided, test them on their knowledge. I prefer written evaluations, mostly because it’s the best documentation of training and knowledge you can get. There is no better proof than a written evaluation. In my experience, oral is the least effective type of evaluation, unless it’s one on one, but it lacks documentation. A practical evaluation is a great way to find out how well they can operate the equipment, but it also lacks the documentation. And, you will be monitoring their operation in the next step anyway. A written review does not have to be 10 pages in length, but it needs to be in-depth. 10 specific questions is a good number, and in those questions you can easily test their retention. The more hazardous or technical the equipment, the longer, and more in-depth the test. After the test has been completed, you should go over every question with the employee to review their answers and any corrections. For the experienced operator, this may be all that is required, unless you’re questioning their operating characteristics.
Monitor Their Operation
After they have received the training and have been tested, you need to monitor their operation. Most equipment, such as; front end loaders, tractors, stationary machinery, or other equipment can be evaluated as they perform their actual duties. If it’s a hazardous type of equipment, like a forklift, you can make a course, or provide them with a task to perform. The monitoring of operation needs to be done by the instructor or a supervisor. Employee monitoring is not just a one-time deal, it should be ongoing as the employee settles in on their job tasks.
The following is a list of safety rules that I like to use when training, you may want to base some or all of your test questions from these rules.
• Never operate an unfamiliar piece of equipment without first receiving operating instruction
• Know the capacity and operating characteristics of your tractor and the various attachments and implements you will be using
• Operators only, absolutely no riders (one seat = one person)
• Guards must remain in-place at all times, unless the equipment has been locked or tagged out
• Never modify or remove any part of the equipment
• Never dismount a piece of equipment without first disengaging the power take-off (PTO), lower all attachments and implements to the ground, place tractor in park (or neutral), engage parking brake and shut-off the engine
• Buckle-up your safety belt (if equipped with a roll over protective
structure -- ROPS) before you start up
• When operating tractors equipped with a foldable/telescopic ROPS, follow manufacturer’s specific instructions for safety belt use with foldable / telescopic ROPS
• Keep bystanders away from your operation and stay alert of their location
• Loose clothing is extremely dangerous when in the proximity of motors, gears, pulleys, shafts, pinch points or any other moving parts
• Never use attachments unless they are properly matched to your tractor
• Never allow children or unqualified persons to operate a tractor
• If the machine is to be unattended, follow the steps for dismounting, cycle hydraulic controls, and remove the ignition key
Safety training is not just a good idea, it’s the law. Tractors are very expensive now days, and your employees need to understand how you want them operated, and how they are to be operated safely.
Stay safe,
Jary
Author Jary D. Winstead
Work Safety Services, LLC
SAFEJARY@aol.com
www.worksafetyservices.com
The author gives Farm and Ranch News first North American serial rights for this article. |
