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Vehicle/Equipment Maintenance

Blocking, Cribbing, & Bracing

Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO)

General Best Practices

Be Prepared! Agricultural industries can be

unpredictable.

Use the correct equipment for the job! Do not

use an inappropriate tool just because it is

readily available.

Take the time to get the right tool/equipment.

Shields and fixed guards – Are these intact

and in working order?

PTO Shields – They are installed for a reason!

Is fixed guarding in place on and around

oscillating and rotating parts?

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Seat belts and ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structures)

All open cab tractors should have these two items, older model tractors can be retrofitted!

Research shows that when used in combination, seat belts/ROPS are 98% effective in preventing death and serious injury in the event of a tractor roll over.

General checks and inspections……

High pressure hydraulic hoses and fittings

Remote and rear view cameras – Working?

Mirrors/window condition

Seat belt condition

Wheel bearings

Steering/tie rods

Brakes

Load securing chains and straps

Equipment with cabs – Does the heating and air conditioning work?

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When parking equipment such as tractors and

skid steers make sure the loaders and

implements are not suspended in the air!

Kids love to play with equipment

Unless the equipment has electro-hydraulic

values, the loader/implement will drop when

the levers are pulled!

Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO)

and Servicing Vehicles and

Equipment

LOTO

Many companies count on their vehicles and equipment to be in top-notch condition. After all, life is good at work when your machines are running smoothly. But, all good things come to an end, and you can count on your equipment needing service, maintenance, and repairs from time to time

You want to keep downtime to a minimum, however, and workers can be tempted to make a quick fix without making absolutely sure the equipment won’t start up or release stored energy during the repair. If it does start up, there can easily be a serious injury or a death. That’s the reason for having lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.

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OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates lockout/tagout through the Control of Hazardous Energy standard, found at 29 CFR §1910.147. This standard mandates training, audits, and recordkeeping to ensure that workers will not be unintentionally injured by the unexpected energization, start-up, or release of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or any other type of energy

Does It Apply to Vehicle

Servicing and Maintenance? Yes, it does. Accidents have occurred and

continue to occur from inadequate hazardous

energy control during vehicle/equipment

servicing and maintenance activities.

The standard includes any and all vehicles

including both commercial and agricultural

equipment.

The OSHA standard’s coverage includes vehicles, such

as, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, tractors,

refrigeration transport vehicles, and material

handling equipment.

For purposes of vehicle servicing and maintenance,

hazardous energy refers to:

Mechanical motion

Potential energy due to pressure, gravity, or springs;

Battery-generated electrical energy;

Thermal energy, including chemical energy; and

Other forms of energy, which can cause injury to employees

working in, on, or around machines or equipment

Controlling Hazardous Energy on Vehicles

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Energy Control Program

OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.147 standard requires

employers to develop an energy control

program:

That is tailored to the workplace/equipment,

and…

Will protect employees performing servicing and

maintenance tasks from the release of

hazardous energy.

Due to the nature and unique aspects of

vehicle maintenance and servicing

activities, you must take feasible measures

to prevent an engine from being started.

However, the simple control step of

removing the ignition key may not, in all

cases, adequately control other types of

vehicle hazardous energy, such as is the

case with the positioning of the vehicle or

its components (e.g., buckets, booms,

blades, attachments/implements). These

and other hazards require careful

evaluation and selection of additional

hazard-specific control measures.

Removing the Ignition Key

Manufacturers’ Servicing and Maintenance Guidelines

It is essential for employers to consult

with and incorporate specific vehicle manufacturer servicing and maintenance guidelines (e.g., operating manuals and bulletins) and other relevant materials to establish the hazardous energy control procedures. These manuals and materials often provide specific step-by-step instructions on how to safely perform servicing or maintenance tasks.

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There are circumstances when it is

necessary to re-energize the vehicle

or a component to accomplish a

particular task (e.g., diagnostic

testing; maintenance

troubleshooting; vehicle or

component positioning). OSHA does

allow energization for testing or

positioning purposes, as specified in

§1910.147(f)(1), but only for the

limited time during which it is

necessary to test or reposition the

vehicle or component.

Troubleshooting, Testing, and

Component Positioning

Working Safely

Employers have to develop LOTO

procedures and train workers to follow

them. If you cut corners on these

procedures, there is potential for

equipment downtime, accidents, OSHA

inspections and citations, and possible

death.

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Why is safety such an important issue when

lifting?

Lifting or applying loads is dangerous work.

Failure of any component can result in

failure of the lift. Loads can be dropped

causing damage to the equipment, facilities,

and even the worker.

Agricultural equipment is often large and

uniquely shaped

Service work often requires this equipment

to be lifted and/or suspended to safely

perform the task.

Never solely rely upon equipments hydraulic

system to keep raised equipment suspended.

Don’t be lulled into forgetting that any

lifting tool can potentially fail!

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Several different pieces of lifting equipment

that can be used to perform lifts.

Make sure your lifting equipment has a data

capacity plate, or tag. Choose the right tool

for the job!

NEVER EXCEED THE CAPACITY OF YOUR

LIFTING EQUIPMENT!

Engine or Motor Lift

Used for lifting smaller engines and motors -

straight up lift

JIB Crane

Stationary - Swivels or Rotates

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Gantry Crane

Also referred to as a “A Frame Hoist”

Hoist or

Boom Truck

Powered Industrial Vehicles

Skid Steers

Front End Loaders

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Hydraulic Jacks and Lifts

Some of the most commonly used equipment

in the shop

Hydraulic Lifts

Commonly used when servicing service needs

to be performed under a piece of equipment.

Blocking – to support, strengthen, or keep in

place by means of a block.

Cribbing – a type of support or block which is

created by alternating multiple timbers or

other supports.

Cribbing is used when equipment must be

supported at heights greater than blocking

can provide.

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Jack stands are the best equipment for

blocking.

Rule of thumb for blocking

devices…blocking height should never be

taller than twice the width of the blocking

base.

Other blocking safety measures should be

taken especially when dealing with hydraulic

cylinders. LOTO needs to be practiced.

Load locks should be put on hydraulic

cylinders to avoid settling and the release of

hazardous energy.

All major skid steer manufacturers are now

including boom locks or safety pins on their

skid steers.

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Use suitable timbers when creating a crib for

equipment. For large ag./commercial

equipment nothing smaller than 4” x 4”

material should be used.

A firm and level surface is paramount for

cribbing. The first layers are extremely

important!

While wood is suitable for cribbing practices,

it should not be used for blocking.

Slings/straps, chain, and wire rope are common

items used when lifts are performed.

When rigging consider the loads weight, center

of gravity, pickup points, and structural integrity.

Use a stabilizing line if necessary!

Visually inspect all lift equipment prior to using

it!

Sling/Chain use – 29 CFR 1910.184

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Wire rope is rarely used because it frays

easily and can create dangerous energy if it

snaps.

Nylon straps are chosen over wire for ease of

use and to protect the load.

Straps – Straps are chosen when moving or

lifting fragile, expensive, polished, or odd

shaped items.

Straps conform to your lifting object, this

secures the object so it does not slip

Straps can be multiple ply and can elongate

or stretch 6% to 8%

Straps can also handle different work load

limits depending on the technique used

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Watch out for signs of wear near stress points

on straps.

Also use pads on straps when lifting objects

with sharp corners

Chain – the size, grade, and material of chain

correlates with its work load limit.

Chain can be used for a variety of functions

Like all other lifting devices and equipment,

it is important to never exceed the work load

limit of chain.

Before using chain for any type of lifting – make sure you have the right size and grade chain for the job!

5 different grade of chain

Grade 30 – Low carbon steel – dog chain

Grade 40/43 – Boat anchors, windlasses

Grade 70 – Transport / die down chain

Grade 80 – Alloy steel – lift chain

Grade 100 – Heat tempered high strength lift chain

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Grade 80 and 100 lift chain must meet strict

standards – it must be break tested, fatigue

tested, and x-rayed

If it meets standards it will be tagged stating

size, grade, and work load rating

Lift chain can be engineered

in a variety of different

formations to suit every need.

ALL LIFT CHAIN SHOULD BE

TAGGED WITH A VISIBLE

WORKING LOAD LIMIT!

Inspect any chain that you may use before

each use!

Look for wear on the inside of the links, also

look for any deformed links

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Make sure you use the right tools for the job!

Inspect, inspect, inspect…take the time to

visually inspect all your equipment prior to

using it.

Follow work load limits and data capacity

tags on your lifting equipment.

If you don’t know how much your load

weighs or it you don’t know what your chain

or straps work load limit is…don’t perform

the lift.

If you need this information, contact the

manufacturer.

Use common sense…don’t take chances!

A few more items to keep in mind…

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Common culprits – tool boxes, empty boxes,

work benches, spare parts, forklifts,

creepers, air hoses, electrical cords

Remember to lift with your legs and not your

back!

Use the lifting equipment that is available

and ask for help.

The shape of an object is

sometimes more of an issue than

the weight, use lifting aids!

All abrasive wheels should be inspected before

each use for wear and cracks.

This is also a great time to adjust guards and

tool rests!

Pedestal and bench grinders need to be

mounted.

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Wearing jewelry, loose clothing, or having

long hair around rotating and oscillating tools

is extremely dangerous.

Fingers and limbs can potentially be severed

if caution is not taken.

Several deaths occur each year due to

entanglement.

Make sure any cords with exposed electrical

wires are replaced. This includes cords with

cracks, nicks, cuts, etc.

Cord ends often times need to be replaced due

to exposed wires and broken ground plugs.

Shops should not have any unidentified

material in pails, buckets, or totes.

If you have waste materials, find a large

storage container for them to consolidate.

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Use a ladder when necessary, do not use or stand

on boxes, pallets, tires, etc.

Inspect the ladder before each use and never use

the top step.

Select the right tool for the job! Especially

when it comes to hand tools.

Tasks can get accomplished by many

different tools, but which is the safest?

Make sure all used oils, gas, diesel, etc. are

cleared out of the way before beginning any hot

work.

Keep equipment clean, especially hoses!

Keep limited combustibles near your work

station.

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Good housekeeping will increase productivity and minimize injuries.

Good housekeeping directly minimizes slips, trips, and falls.

THE END