Agricultural Machinery Safety: Key Health and Safety Principles | GĄSKA

Agricultural Machinery Safety: Key Health and Safety Principles | GĄSKA

Agricultural Machinery Safety – Your Priority, Our Shared Concern with GĄSKA

Farming is not just about the satisfaction of harvests and closeness to nature, but also daily challenges and responsibility, especially when operating heavy equipment. Agricultural machinery, though invaluable in streamlining fieldwork, also carries potential hazards. Unfortunately, accident statistics in agriculture remain alarming. Therefore, at GĄSKA, as your partner in supplying agricultural machinery parts, we feel obliged to remind you of the fundamental principles of health and safety. Caring for these aspects is an investment in health, life, and the uninterrupted development of your farm.

Why is Safety with Agricultural Machinery So Important?

The consequences of accidents involving agricultural machinery can be extremely serious – from minor injuries, through permanent disability, to loss of life. Every accident also means material losses, work stoppages, and enormous stress for the injured person and their family. However, most of these incidents can be avoided through conscious adherence to health and safety rules, proper operator preparation, and attention to the technical condition of the equipment.

Key Safety Areas – What to Pay Special Attention To?

Safety when working with agricultural machinery is based on three pillars: operator preparedness, the technical condition of the machine, and proper work organization and environment.

1. The Operator – The Most Important Link in the Safety System:

• Knowledge and Qualifications: Before you start working with any machine, thoroughly familiarize yourself with its operating manual. Understanding the principles of operation, capabilities, and limitations of the equipment is fundamental. Regularly participate in health and safety training.
• Psychophysical State: Never operate machinery under the influence of alcohol, drugs, strong medications, or when extremely fatigued. Haste, stress, and lack of concentration are the biggest enemies of safety.
• Appropriate Workwear: Wear well-fitted clothing without loose elements that could be caught by moving parts. Sturdy safety footwear with non-slip soles and reinforced toes is essential. Depending on the work being performed, use protective gloves, glasses or goggles, hearing protection, and dust masks.
• Transporting People: It is strictly forbidden to transport people on machines and devices not designed for this purpose (e.g., on fenders, hitches, in loader buckets). The tractor cabin is intended only for the operator (and possibly a passenger if there is an appropriate seat).
• Getting On and Off: Use the designated steps and handholds. Always do this facing the machine, maintaining three points of contact.

2. The Agricultural Machine – Well-Maintained and Complete is Fundamental:

• Regular Inspections and Maintenance: The technical condition of the machine has a direct impact on safety. Regularly check and maintain all systems: braking, steering, hydraulic, pneumatic, lighting, and signaling. Replace worn parts with original or high-quality replacements – you can find these in GĄSKA’s offer.
• Guards for Moving Parts: All moving parts of machines, such as Power Take-Off (PTO) shafts, belt and chain drives, gears, and fans, must be equipped with complete and functional guards. Never remove guards or operate a machine that does not have them! Damaged guards should be repaired or replaced immediately.
• Power Take-Off (PTO) Shaft: This is one of the most dangerous components. Always use a shaft with a complete guard. Before connecting or disconnecting the PTO, and before any adjustment or repair of a PTO-driven machine, always switch off the tractor engine and remove the key from the ignition.
• Repairs and Adjustments: Perform all repairs, adjustments, cleaning, or lubrication only when the engine is off and the drive is disengaged. Secure the machine against accidental starting. Secure raised parts of machines (e.g., headers, plows) against falling with appropriate supports.
• Securing Against Rolling: When parked, especially on sloping terrain, always apply the parking brake and additionally secure the machine with wheel chocks.

3. Work Organization and Environment – Plan and Anticipate:

• Work Planning: Avoid rushing. Well-planned work means a lower risk of errors and accidents.
• Orderliness in the Workplace: Maintain order in the tractor cabin, in the yard, and in the workshop. Store tools and parts in designated places.
• Terrain and Weather Conditions: Adjust your speed and working method to the conditions on the field (unevenness, slope, wet surface) and to the weather. Exercise particular caution when working on slopes, near ditches, and watercourses.
• Connecting and Disconnecting Machines: Perform these operations on level, stable ground. Ensure the machine is correctly and safely coupled to the tractor.
• Caution with Power Lines: Pay special attention to the course of overhead power lines, especially when working with large machines (e.g., combines, sprayers with raised booms, loaders).
• Children on the Farm: A farm is not a playground. Provide children with a safe place to play, away from working machinery and hazardous areas. Never allow children to operate machinery or be near it during operation.
• First Aid: Ensure there is a well-equipped first-aid kit on the farm, and that you and your employees know basic first aid principles.

The Role of GĄSKA in Ensuring Safety

Although direct responsibility for safety lies with the operator and the farm owner, we at GĄSKA also feel part of this system. By providing you with high-quality, proven spare parts – from braking system components, through robust guards, to components ensuring the technical efficiency of machinery – we contribute to increasing the safety of your work. Our advisors are happy to help in selecting the right parts that meet safety norms and standards.

Summary: Safety Is Not a Choice, It’s a Necessity

Let us remember that safety in working with agricultural machinery is an ongoing process, requiring attention, knowledge, and responsibility every day. No job is so urgent as to risk health or life for it. By adhering to health and safety principles, caring for the technical condition of machines, and organizing work thoughtfully, we minimize risk and create a safer working environment for ourselves and others.

GĄSKA wishes all farmers safe and fruitful work! If you need parts to help maintain your machinery in safe technical condition, please contact us.