16 – Chipper/Shredder Safety
PTO Safety
A rotating PTO shaft can quickly catch your clothing or hair and
wrap your body around the shaft, killing you before you can react.
However, PTO accidents are preventable. Follow these steps to safely
work around PTO shafts.
4
Never operate equipment without the PTO shields in place.
4
Ensure the shaft is secured to the tractor.
4
Keep all bystanders, especially children away from the shaft.
4
Keep hands, feet, clothing and hair away from the shaft.
4
Walk around a PTO shaft, never step over it.
4
Never inspect, service, lubricate or adjust the PTO unless the
PTO is disengaged, the tractor engine is shut off and the shaft
has stopped rotating.
A PTO shaft rotating at 540 rpm can wrap
about 424 feet of string in one minute. This
means that it would take a person 6 feet tall
,
less than 1 second to become entangled.
Becoming entangled in the shaft can cause
suffocation or amputation of limbs. It can
also cause clothing to be torn from your
body resulting in second-degree burns and/
or severe cuts in your skin.
A replacement PTO shield is inexpensive
and can be bought from most parts stores
and manufacturers.
Did You Know?
Never Operate Equipment
Without a PTO Guard.