Secure Support
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
Follow safe practices when repairing equipment.
THE ACCIDENT: A landscaper needs to
replace the blades on a rotary mower – which
is attached to the three-point hitch on a tractor – so he brings the tractor into his machine
shed. He raises the mower to work underneath
it, but he did not provide support or blocking for
the mower. While he is working on the machine,
the tractor's hydraulics is leaking on the floor.
The mower slowly starts coming down, and
the landscaper tries to roll out from under the
attachment. He becomes trapped between the
right rear wheel of the mower and the mower
deck. The mower continues to come down, pinning him to the floor. He is found dead under the
machine from suffocation.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While the landscaper
was familiar with the equipment and sharpening
blades, he did not follow the proper safety practices. Machines should be supported securely
during repair and maintenance, especially when
an operator is working under heavy machine
components. Hydraulic systems should also be
kept in good conditions and inspected regularly.
Here are tips for preventing similar accidents:
Proper supports should be kept available for
maintenance work in the shop, and suitable
supports should be carried to the jobsite for
ILLUSTRATION BY DON LOMAX
possible field maintenance.
Turn the power off, and remove the key before
working around or performing maintenance on
a machine.
Use the appropriate lockout/tagout procedures
to prevent equipment from being re-energized
while working on or around it.
Keep machines repaired, lubricated and adjusted.
Check machines for emergency stop switches.
Disconnect the spark plug before repairing a
mower.
Inspect machines at the beginning of each day,
and report any problems.
presented by:
www.toro.com
m.toro.com/LCE
D E C E M B E R 2013
Tota lLa nd s ca p eCar e.co m 9
