Chapter 22. Vehicular Equipment

I. General rules for operation of vehicles.

A. Only trained personnel may operate vehicles.

B. All personnel operating vehicles must check the equipment prior to operation each day and if it is unsafe report the hazard immediately to the supervisor. The vehicle may not be used until it has been made safe.

C. Employees are prohibited from stunt driving or horseplay while operating any vehicle.

D. No riders are permitted on vehicles unless provided with adequate riding facilities.

E. Do not allow others to ride on the tractor, the tractor tongue, the forks of lift trucks, or place any part of their bodies outside the running lines of a vehicle or between mast uprights or other parts of the truck where shear or crushing hazards exist.

F. Do not allow person assisting with equipment hookup to get between vehicle and implement while vehicle is in gear.

G. Employees must not be allowed to stand, pass, or work under the elevated portion of any vehicle, loaded or empty, unless it is effectively blocked to prevent falling.

H. No repairs may be performed on any vehicle until arrangements have been made to reduce the potential for injury to maintenance personnel by sudden movement or operation of the equipment.

I. Tractors have a high center of gravity and may tip over easily when driven on slopes, embankments, into ditches or holes. Reduce speed when turning, driving on uneven ground, or working on mud or slippery surfaces.

J. Securely fasten the seat belt if the tractor has a Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS).

K. Always pay attention to the job at hand. Be cautious of distraction, inattention, or drowsiness. Stop and rest when this happens.

L. Operate the tractor smoothly, without jerky starts, turns, or stops. When using a front loader, keep both the load and the speed low.

M. Hitch only to the drawbar and hitch points recommended by the tractor manufacturer. Add front weights if they are needed for stability and steering control.

N. Always set the brakes securely, using the park lock if available, and take the key whenever leaving the vehicle.

O. Before entering a public roadway, make sure the tractor lights are working and that the "slow moving vehicle" triangle is clean and visible. Stay to the right and watch for overhead power lines.

P. Turn the ignition off before unclogging or fixing any power-driven machine. Make sure the hydraulic lines are properly connected and leak free. Keep the power take-off (PTO) guard is in place. Always shut off power before dismounting.

Q. Dress properly for the weather and working conditions. If the tractor does not have a noise controlled ROPS cab, you may need hearing protection. When spraying chemicals or working in dusty conditions, use respiratory protection.

R. Employees must always use good common sense rules of the road when driving or operating vehicles. Employees must always follow the Kansas rules for operation of motor vehicles as prescribed by law.

II. Emergency situations

A. First-aid materials and fire extinguishers should be immediately available at farm headquarters and on worker transportation vehicles.

B. It is advisable to carry first-aid materials and fire extinguisher on all self-propelled equipment.

C. First-aid materials should be kept in a sanitary and usable condition protected from the weather.

D. A frequent inspection should be made of all first-aid materials and replenished as necessary.

E. At remote locations, provisions should be made in advance for prompt medical attention in case of serious injuries.

F. All employees should be trained in emergency first-aid and use of fire extinguishers.

III. Equipment safety.

A. At the time of initial assignment and at least ~~annually thereafter,~~ one a year, each employee should be instructed in the safe operation and servicing of all equipment with which the employee is, or will be involved including at least the following safe operating practices:

1. Keep all guards in place when the machine is in operation;

2. permit no riders on agricultural equipment other than persons required for instruction or assistance in machine operation;

3. stop engine, disconnect the power source, and wait for all machine movement to stop before servicing, adjusting, cleaning, or unclogging the equipment, except where the machine must be running to be properly serviced or maintained;

4. make sure everyone is clear of machinery before starting the engine, engaging power, or operating the machine;

5. lock out/tag out power before performing maintenance or service on agricultural equipment; and

6. watch for electric power lines and maintain clearance during operation.

B. All tractors should be equipped with fenders or equivalent protection between the operator and the tracks or rear wheels.

C. Tractor brake-locking or parking device should be the positive type, designed and maintained in such a manner that tractor vibration will not release the device.

D. Power Take-Off (PTO) devices.

1. PTO drivelines are defined as the shafts and universal joints between the tractor, or other power source, and the first gear set, pulley, or sprocket. PTO shaft is the power output shaft protruding from the drive unit of the agricultural equipment.

2. PTO shafts and drivelines must be guarded. If the guard can be used as a step, it must be capable of supporting a minimum of 250 pounds.

3. If the PTO driven equipment requires the removal of the PTO guard shaft, the driven equipment must incorporate guarding of the PTO shaft.

4. Warning signs and decals must be placed at prominent locations on equipment specifying that PTO guards must be kept in place.

E. Guards, shields, and access doors must be in place when the equipment is in operation.

1. Where removal of a guard or access door may expose an employee to any component which continues to rotate after the power is disengaged, a readily visible or audible warning of rotation must be in place.

2. A safety sign warning the employee to look and listen for evidence of rotation, and not to remove the guard or access door until all components have stopped.

3. Agricultural equipment should be guarded to the fullest extent which will not substantially interfere with normal functioning of the component.

F. Sweep arm material gathering mechanisms must be guarded when used on the top surface of materials within silo structures. The lower or leading edge of the guard shall be located no more than 12 inches above the material surface and no less than six inches in front of the leading edge of the rotating member of the gathering mechanism.

G. Roll-over protective structures (ROPS).

1. All two- or four-wheel drive type vehicles, or track vehicles of more than 20 hp engines that are designed to furnish the power to pull, carry, propel, or drive agricultural implements ~~must~~ should be equipped with ROPS. Older vehicles not having ROPS should be retrofitted when operated in conditions where roll-over potential is high. Self-propelled implements are excluded.

2. ROPS used on wheel type tractors ~~must~~ should meet the test and performance requirements of 29 CFR 1928.52, 1928.53, or 1926.1002.

3. ROPS used on track type tractors must meet the test and performance requirements of 29 CFR 1926.1001.

4. Exception to the ROPS requirement are "low profile" tractors while used in orchards, inside farm buildings, greenhouses or other areas where the vertical clearance requirements would substantially interfere with normal operations and while their use is incidental to the work performed.

5. Exception to the ROPS requirement are tractors used with mounted equipment which is incompatible with ROPS

6. Seatbelts are required in all tractors with ROPS. All employees must have the seatbelt fastened while the tractor is moving.

(a) Where a suspended seat is used, the seat belt must be fastened

7. Each ROPS must have a label permanently affixed to the structure which states:

(a) Manufacturer's or fabricator's name and address;

(b) ROPS model number, if any;

(d) that the ROPS model was tested in accordance with the requirements as stated above.

8. All sharp edges and corners at the operator's station must be appropriately treated to minimize operator injury in the event of a roll-over.

9. Batteries, fuel tanks, oil reservoirs, and coolant systems must be constructed and located or sealed to assure that spillage does not occur that might be harmful to the operator in the event of a roll-over.

H. All self-propelled equipment, when under its own power and in motion, must have an operator stationed at the vehicular controls (not necessarily in the normal driving position).

I. All self-propelled equipment shall be equipped with a braking device controlled from the operator's station, capable of preventing the vehicle from moving while parked.

J. Safe access to a safe place for all personnel riding on mobile equipment must be provided.

K. Where mobile equipment is in tow and the driver cannot see the employees on the towed equipment, a positive signaling device or an actuated stop device should be installed on the towed equipment in case of an emergency.

L. Engine exhaust systems must not be piped into or through an enclosed cab on tractors or other equipment.

M. All vehicles or self-propelled equipment used between one hour after sunset or one hour before sunrise must be equipped with at least one headlight that will illuminate the area in front of the equipment at least 50 feet. There must also be at least one rear light to the rear. Additional lighting should be provided where the operation requires field adjustment or the operator's attention.

N. Adequate means of access should be provided so employees can safely reach the top of the load for manual loading or unloading of high loads.

IV. Horizontal rotary spreaders. The spinner must be guarded to prevent accidental contact. The guard should consist of a bar, rail, or similar structure beyond the periphery of the spinner.

V. Choppers.

A. Every power-driven cutter, chopper, or grinder must be guarded to prevent accidental contact with revolving parts or access to hazardous parts of the machine.

B. Access doors or covers must be identified by an appropriate warning sign.

C. Every manually fed power-driven cutter, chopper, or grinder must be guarded to prevent accidental contact with the feed rolls or other hazardous processing parts of the machine.

D. Guarding may be accomplished by extending the feed chute or hopper to provide a minimum accessible distance of not less than 88 inches from the working level to the point of operation, or a distance of 36 inches from the edge of the chute or hopper to the point of operation, or other effective means.

E. Stationary machines which are equipped with feed rolls or other feed assisting mechanisms must be provided with a safety bar or trapeze bar which will stop the machine.

F. Rotary choppers with horizontal blades must have side shields extending below the plane of the lowest blade. Front and rear guards must be provided to guard against accidental contact with the revolving blades.

VI. Conveyors and elevators.

A. Portable screw conveyors located seven feet or less above the work level must be substantially covered or guarded to prevent accidental contact with any portion of the screw. Augers must be guarded with either grating type guards or solid baffle style convers.

1. Grating type guards. The largest dimensions or openings in these guards through which materials are required to flow should be 4.75 inches. The area of each opening should be no larger than 10 square inches. The opening should be located no closer than 2.5 inches to the rotating flighting.

2. Solid baffle style covers. Slotted openings in these covers should be no wider than 1.5 inches or closer than 3.5 inches to the exposing flighting.

3. Portable material transfer augers which cannot be guarded as above should not be permitted to rotate unless they are in contact with the transferred material.

B. Portable sack loader, auger, elevator, or drag conveyor drive systems should contain only one starting control. The starting control should be located within ready access of the operator.

C. Shear points created by portions of the conveyor passing structural or other fixed parts must be guarded.

VII. Water hazards. When employees are required to work in or about farm structures such as permanent pools, ponds, water tanks, or reservoirs four feet or more in depth and where the slope and construction would make exit difficult, ladder, steps or other suitable climbing means extending to the low water level must be provided.

VIII. Industrial trucks.

A. An industrial truck is any mobile power-driven truck used for hauling, pushing, lifting, or tiering materials where work is normally confined within the boundaries of the place of employment.

B. All new powered industrial trucks acquired after 1992 should meet the design and construction requirements of Part II ANSI B56.1-1975, Safety Standard For Powered Industrial Trucks. Every effort should be made to provide these requirements to existing vehicles.

C. A permanent legible tag or label shall be attached, stating compliance with the ANSI standard.

D. All name plates and model number, type designation and load capacity markings should be maintained in a legible condition.

E. If the truck is equipped with front-end attachments other than factory installed attachments, the truck should be marked to identify the attachments and show the approximate weight of the truck and attachment combination, and the capacity of the truck and attachment combination at maximum elevation of the load engaging means with the load laterally centered.

F. Major modifications and structural changes to high lift trucks, industrial trucks and rider trucks that affect the capacity and safe handling of the vehicles should not be performed without prior written approval from the manufacturer unless the modification is designed, manufactured, and installed in accordance with recognized good engineering and manufacturing principles. The capacity, operation and maintenance instruction plates shall be changed accordingly.

G. Trucks originally approved for the use of gasoline for fuel may be converted to liquefied petroleum gas fuel provided the complete conversion results in a vehicle which embodies the features specified for LP or LPS designated trucks.

H. Trucks must not be operated in atmospheres containing more than 20% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) of flammable gas or vapor unless protected, approved, and labeled with approval for the area. Approval and designation as per NFPA 505-1971.

I. When trucks operate in areas where general lighting is less than 2 foot-candles per square foot, directional lighting should be provided on the truck.

J. Brakes should be set and wheel stops with a blue flag attached or other recognized positive stops should be used to prevent railroad cars from moving during loading or unloading operations.

K. Trailers disconnected from their tractor should be secured to prevent up-ending during loading or unloading operations.

L. Trucks should not be operated in areas that expose the operator to the hazard of collision with overhead obstructions unless the truck is equipped with overhead guards.

M. Loads of excessive width, length, or height should be balanced, braced, and secured to the truck.

N. Batteries installed in trucks should be secured to the truck in suitable racks.

O. Motorized hand and hand/rider trucks should be designed so that the brakes are applied and the power to the drive motor shut off when the operator releases grip on the control tongue, or the device used to control travel.

P. Radio remote vehicles should be equipped with positive means which restrict the speed of the vehicle to 3.5 mph while the equipment is being operated with radio remote control.

Q. Steering knobs should not be used unless the truck is equipped with power steering.

R. When cargo is being towed on pipe trucks or similar equipment, a safe means should be provided to protect the driver from sliding loads.

S. Counterweights should be affixed to prevent dislodging.

IX. Deflector guards.

A. Protection should be provided where vehicles are equipped with rollover protective structures and are subjected to the hazard of falling trees, brush, or the breaking of tow lines or winch cables.

B. Shear or brush deflector guards will provide operator protection when extending from the leading edge of the ROPS to the front part of the frame of the vehicle or radiator guard.

C. Breaking line guards consisting of adequately supported 1/4 inch woven wire screens having not less than 1.5 inch nor more than 2 inch mesh should be located between the lines and the operator.

X. Lift trucks.

A. Overhead guards for high-lift rider trucks.

1. High-lift rider industrial trucks purchased after 1992 should be equipped with overhead guards which meet the design and construction requirements of Part II, ANSI B56.1-1975, Safety Standards For Powered Industrial Trucks. Every effort should be made to provide these requirements to existing vehicles.

2. Overhead guards are not required if:

(a) The vertical movement of the lifting mechanism is restricted to a maximum elevation of 72 inches or the truck will operate in an area where the bottom of the top tiered load is not higher than 72 inches and the top is not more than 120 inches from the ground when tiered; and

(b) the operator is protected from all overhead hazards other than falling loads.

B. Elevating employees with lift trucks.

1. The platform should be of sufficient size, but not less than 24 inches X 24 inches (0.61 meter x 0.61 meters) to accommodate the employee and material being elevated.

2. The platform should be secured to the forks or mast to prevent tipping, slipping, or falling.

3. The platform should meet minimum guardrail and toe board requirements of elevated platforms.

4. The platform floor should have no spaces or holes greater than one inch.

5. The platform floor should have a slip resistant surface.

6. Where a clearance restriction or the nature of the work prohibits the used of guardrails, a safety belt or harness with lanyard shall be used.

7. Wherever the truck is operated under conditions which expose the operator to danger from falling object, the truck should be equipped with overhead protection.

8. There should be an operator in the control position on the truck while employees are on the elevated platform.

9. Whenever a truck is equipped with vertical only, or vertical and horizontal controls elevatable with the lifting carriage or forks, means should be provided whereby personnel on the platform can shut off the motive power of the truck.

10. Means should be provided to render imperative all operating controls other than those on the elevatable platform when the controls on the elevatable platform have been selected for use. Only one location of controls should be capable of being operated at one time.

11. All bridge cranes or other moving or motorized equipment which could overrun or otherwise injure the elevated worker should be shut down and locked out.

12. Before elevating personnel, employees should be instructed to:

(a) use a securely attached safety platform;

(b) make sure the lifting mechanism is operating smoothly;

(d) place truck in neutral and set parking brake;

(e) lift and lower smoothly and with caution;

(f) watch for overhead obstructions;

(g) keep hands and feet clear of controls other than those in use; and

(h) never travel with personnel on the work platform other than to make minor movements for final positioning of the platform.

C. Operator platforms.

1. Every end control, reach, narrow aisle and motorized hand/rider truck should be equipped with an operator platform of sufficient size to contain the operator's feet within its periphery and strong enough to withstand a compression load equal to the weight of the loaded truck applied longitudinally against a flat vertical surface.

2. When installed, operator enclosures should not restrict movement to and from the operating position.

3. Operator enclosures are not recommended on hand/rider trucks because of interference with the steering handle and with rapid and unobstructed egress.

D. Back guards.

1. The side of the platform nearest the mast frame truss should be guarded on every high-lift industrial truck where employees ride up or down. This guard should consist of a substantial frame covered with 1/2 inch expanded metal, laminated safety glass, or equivalent providing effect guarding to a height of 7 feet.

2. If the type of load presents a hazard, high -lift industrial trucks should be equipped with a load backrest extension high enough to reach above the center of the top row of the maximum height load handled or other positive means should be used to prevent parts of the load falling onto the operator or into the operator's compartment. The openings should not be greater than the smallest parcel carried.

E. The rated capacity of all industrial lift trucks and industrial tractors should be displayed at all tomes on the vehicle in such a manner that it is readily visible to the operator. Industrial lift trucks and industrial tractors equipped with forks should not be loaded beyond their designated capacity.

XI. Brakes and warning devices.

A. Every industrial truck and tractor must be equipped with brakes or other effective devices adequate to bring the vehicle to a complete safe stop while fully loaded.

B. Every industrial truck and tractor must be equipped with a parking brake or other effective device to prevent the vehicle moving when unattended.

C. Every industrial truck and industrial tow tractor, except those guided or controlled by a walking operator, must be equipped with a warning horn, whistle, gong, or other device which can be heard clearly above the normal industrial noises in the workplace.

D. Every industrial truck and tractor must be equipped with a backup warning horn, whistle, gong, or other sound device which can be heard clearly above the normal industrial noises in the workplace.

XII. Internal Combustion Engines. Internal combustion engine driven equipment must not be operated inside of buildings or enclosed structures except when such operation does not result in harmful exposure of employees to hazardous concentrations of gases or fumes.

XIII. Maintenance of vehicles.

A. Industrial vehicle repair operations involving open flames or which may produce other sources of ignition should not be performed unless tests show that atmospheric concentrations of flammable or combustible vapors do not exceed 20 % LEL. Such precautions should include but not be limited to removal or flammable material and provision for adequate ventilation.

B. Water mufflers should be filled daily or as frequently as necessary to prevent depletion of the water supply below 75% of the filled capacity.

C. Vehicles with mufflers having screens or other parts that may become clogged should not be operated while such screens or parts are clogged.

D. Any vehicle that emits hazardous sparks or flames from the exhaust system must immediately be removed from service and not returned to service until the cause for the emission of such sparks or flames has been eliminated.

E. Vehicles should be kept in a clean condition free of debris, oil, and grease.

F. Batteries on all vehicles should be disconnected during repairs to the primary electrical system unless power is necessary for testing and repair. On vehicles with systems capable of storing residual energy, that energy must be safely discharged prior to work on the primary electrical system begins.

G. Replacement parts for vehicles must be equivalent or greater in safety to than the original parts.

H. Those repairs to the fuel and ignition systems of industrial trucks which involve fire hazards should be conducted only in locations designated as safe for such repairs.