using personal safety in agricultural...

Using Personal Safety inAgricultural Mechanics

DETERMINING what to wear to work is a matter of life anddeath in agricultural mechanics. A loose shirt or long

hair could become stuck in a machine and result in majorinjuries. Knowing what to wear and how to recognize thewarnings for potential hazards in the work environment couldsave your life or help you save the life of someone else.

Objective:

� Explain how to create a safe place in which towork.

Key Terms:

� decibel

focal color

noise duration

noise intensity

Creating a Safe Work Environment

Work in agricultural mechanics can be exciting and challenging. Tasks in this area often

involve the use of several types of tools and machinery. People who work in agricultural

mechanics must be aware of the hazards that exist and take special precautions to avoid acci-

dents. The following precautions, when taken, can create a safer workplace for the worker and

for those around him or her.

PRECAUTIONS

� Install all electrical devices according to the standards of the National Electrical Code.

� Install all machinery according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

E-unit: Using Personal Safety in Agricultural Mechanics

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� Keep all tools and equipment adjusted or fitted according to specifications.

� Use tools and equipment skillfully.

� Provide proper storage for tools, materials, fuels, chemicals, and waste materials.

� Keep work areas clean and free of tools, materials, grease, and dirt.

� Keep moving parts properly shielded.

� Manage all situations to avoid the likelihood of falling objects.

� Avoid areas where objects may fall.

� Avoid the flight path of objects that could be thrown by machines.

� Protect eyes, face, feet, and other parts of the body with protective clothing and devices.

� Move slowly enough to avoid creating hazards to yourself and others.

� Read and follow all precautions.

SAFETY COLOR-CODING SYSTEM

National organizations have worked together to develop a safety color-coding system for

shops. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers and the Safety Committee of the

American Vocational Association have published such a code. In developing the code, materials

published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the U.S. Department of

Transportation (DOT), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were

used as references.

Colors

Colors in the coding system are used to warn people of dangers or hazards. Colors also help

people locate certain objects. In addition, they make the shop a pleasant place to work. The col-

ors promote cleanliness and order while helping people react quickly to emergencies.

Color Messages

Each color or combination of colors conveys a specific message. Memorize the message

conveyed by each color. The following descriptions show how each safety color is used in the

agricultural mechanics shop.

Red

Red is used to identify dangerous areas or items for emergencies (e.g., safety switches and

fire equipment).

Orange

Orange is used to designate machine hazards (e.g., edges and openings). This color is a

warning. Orange is also used as a background for electrical switches, levers, and controls.


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Yellow

Yellow, as in driving and traffic lights, means

caution. It is used to identify parts of a machine

(e.g., wheels, levers, and knobs) that control or

adjust the machine. Yellow and black stripes are

used to mark stairs, protruding objects, and other

stationary hazards.

Blue

Blue is used for signs that convey information

(e.g., “OUT OF ORDER” or “DO NOT

OPERATE”). They may also imply a warning.

Such signs are made with white letters on a blue

background.

Safety Green

Safety green is a special shade of green that indicates the presence of safety equipment,

safety areas, first aid, and medical practice.

Black and Yellow

A black and yellow diagonal-striped pattern is designated as the marking for radiation haz-

ards.

White

White is used to mark off traffic areas. White arrows indicate the direction of traffic. White

lines also mark work areas around objects in the shop. Yellow may be used in place of white to

mark areas and lanes.

White and Black

White and black in alternate stripes or checkers are traffic markings, as on traffic-stopping

barricades.

Gray

Gray is used on floors of work areas in the shop. It is a restful color and provides a good

contrast for other safety colors. It is sometimes used to paint body areas of machines and may

be used on the tabletops, if painting is desired.

Focal Colors

The nationally accepted shop safety color-coding system includes three focal colors. A

focal color is used to draw attention to large items (e.g., machines, cabinets, and floors). The


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FIGURE 1. Warning signs, like this biohazard sign, can

help prevent or minimize job injuries.

focal colors provide contrast for the safety colors and create pleasant surroundings for people

using the shop. The focal colors are ivory, vista green, and aluminum.

Ivory

Ivory is used to highlight or improve the visibility of certain items, such as tool storage

chests, table edges, free-standing vises, and anvils.

Vista Green

Vista green is a special shade of green used to paint bodies of machines, cabinets, and sta-

tionary tools (e.g., vises). It is regarded as a pleasing color and contrasts with safety colors.

Aluminum

Aluminum is used on waste containers (e.g., for

scrap wood, scrap metal, and rags).

PERSONAL SAFETY

Personal safety is the most important aspect of

work in agricultural mechanics. Several safety

devices have been developed to protect individuals

working in the shop. These devices are effective only

when used properly. The four major types of safety

devices are eye protection, hearing protection, masks

and respirators, and protective clothing.

Eye Protection

The face and the eyes are regarded as the most

critical parts of the body to be protected because the


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DIGGING DEEPER…

UNCOVERING ADDITIONAL FACTS: Warning Signs

At some point in your life, you may travel outside the United States. Therefore, it may be use-

ful for you to research the words “warning” and “danger” in various languages (e.g., Chinese,

Russian, German, Spanish, and French). Then research warning signs, and print out photos of

various signs. Are the signs universal? If not, do they look similar to those in the United States?

Create a poster of the various warning signs, labeling them properly. Then ask your instructor

if you can display your creation on a bulletin board in the classroom. You could even create a

pop quiz for your classmates to test their knowledge.

FIGURE 2. Eye protection is essential in many jobs.

eyes are so easily damaged. Flying objects can cause blindness or result in death. The kind of

eye protection to use varies with the work being performed. Safety glasses and goggles offer

minimum eye protection and are the first line of defense. These glasses and goggles should

have special impact-resistant lenses and side shields. They should fit the face and should be

kept clean for proper visibility. Special shaded lenses must be used when welding.

Hearing Protection

Many power tools and items of equipment

used in agricultural mechanics make loud noises.

Ear muffs or plugs are recommended when the

intensity or frequency reaches certain levels.

Noise intensity is the energy in the sound

waves, and noise duration is the length of

time a person is exposed to a sound. The deci-

bel (dB) is the standard unit of sound. Time is

an important factor in the effect of noise on

hearing. The ears can usually stand a loud noise

for a few minutes. However, the same noise may

damage the ears when exposure lasts for longer

periods.

Masks and Respirators

Masks that cover the nose and mouth are

needed to filter out particles of dust or spray

paint. The continuous inhaling of dust leads to

lung diseases (e.g., black lung and cancer). Effec-

tive dust masks are not expensive and should be

worn when sanding, painting, welding, mixing

soil, or shoveling grain. Whenever dust is

encountered, a mask should be worn to prevent

health risks.

Protective Clothing

The amount and type of protective clothing needed varies depending on the work being

done in the general shop or in the welding shop. Suitable protective clothing should fit prop-

erly and should not have cuffs, strings, or ties. It should also not have frayed or ragged areas

that could be burned or caught by turning machinery. Clean clothing is more fire resistant

than oily or dirty clothing. Hair should be cut or covered to avoid being caught in the

equipment.


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FIGURE 3. Ear protection can prevent hearing loss caused

by noise intensity and duration.

FIGURE 4. Using a respirator can prevent certain health

risks.

General Shop Protective Clothing

Besides safety glasses, which should be worn at all times, aprons, shop coats, or coveralls are

appropriate shop attire.

Welding Shop Protective Clothing

Clothing that is not easily ignited should be worn. Gloves that protect from burns should be

used. High-topped leather shoes should be worn to avoid slag or sparks. Also, hardhats and

steel-toed boots are recommended to prevent certain injuries and to minimize injuries in the

event of accidents.

Summary:

� People who work in agricultural mechanics must be aware of the hazards that existand take special precautions to prevent injuries and accidents. National organiza-tions have worked together to develop a safety color-coding system for shops. Col-ors in the coding system are used to alert people to dangers or hazards. The nation-ally accepted shop safety color-coding system includes three focal colors used todraw attention to large items (e.g., machines, cabinets, and floors), to provide con-trast for the safety colors, and to create pleasant surroundings.

The four major types of safety devices are eye protection, hearing protection, masksand respirators, and protective clothing. The face and the eyes are regarded as themost critical parts of the body to be protected because the eyes are so easily dam-aged. Ear plugs or muffs help prevent or minimize damage from noise intensity andnoise duration. Masks that cover the nose and mouth are needed to filter out parti-cles of dust or spray paint. Suitable clothing should fit properly and should not havecuffs, strings, or ties. It should also not have frayed or ragged areas that could beburned or caught by turning machinery. Clean clothing is more fire resistant thanoily or dirty clothing. Hair should be cut or covered to avoid being caught in theequipment.

Checking Your Knowledge:

� 1. List five precautions to take for a safer workplace.

2. What do the colors red, blue, and safety green mean?

3. What are the focal colors?

4. What are the four major types of safety devices?

5. Describe an appropriate outfit for working in a welding facility.


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Expanding Your Knowledge:

� If possible, contact a local shop to schedule a tour. Take notes regarding the colorsand where they are used to warn of hazards. Then write a paper about your experi-ence. If this is not possible, create your own shop on paper. Use colored pencils,and make sure hazards are marked with the appropriate colors. Turn in your workto your instructor.

Web Links:

� Noise Exposure

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/noise-exposure-level-duration-d_717.html

Noise Basics

http://www.mine-safety.mtu.edu/noise/03noise_basics.htm

Decibel

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/dB.html


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http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/noise-exposure-level-duration-d_717.html

http://www.mine-safety.mtu.edu/noise/03noise_basics.htm

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/dB.html

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