Power take-off shafts
The power take-off (PTO) shaft has been involved in a large number of serious and disabling entanglement accidents, many resulting in death*.
A variety of guards, shields and couplings have been designed to try to eliminate or minimise the risk of entanglement*.
It is important that PTO shaft covers, master shield guards and clutch guards are fitted and maintained in good working condition to avoid injury to workers and bystanders.
Preventing deterioration from ultra violet light
Concerns that PTO shaft guards are difficult to maintain and prevent from deteriorating after prolonged exposure to ultra violet light can be overcome by:
- removing the shaft from the machine when not in use and storing it undercover
- pulling the shaft apart and oiling and greasing the slide
- ensuring that the power input coupling (PIC) guards (the bell shaped piece guarding the universal joints) are not damaged or cut away for any reason
- purchasing shaft guards that are made from black UV resistant plastic
- regularly releasing the PIC guard clips and freeing them from dust, grease and other materials so that they can be released and moved aside to allow adequate greasing of the shaft's moving parts.
Safe work procedures should always be followed when working around energised or powered-up machinery, for example:
- not getting out of the tractor cab until the PTO has been disengaged and the machine's rotating parts have come to a complete stop (preferably switch off the tractor's engine before getting down from the driver's seat)
- not wearing loose clothing around machinery.
Employers need to ensure that a task risk analysis is undertaken and workers adequately instructed in the safe operating procedures for the task to be performed and the plant to be used.
* Farm Machinery Injury: Power Take-Off Shaft Guards, ACAH 2006