Could Someone Save You?

Could someone save you? SECURITY/SAFETY Ideas 9-1-5 What if you or someone else was caught in a machine? Would your wife, youngsters or others in the family know how to turn off the power? And would they know, without hesitation what to do next? For safety's sake, Ordie Hogsett, University of Illinois extension safety specialist, suggests taking your wife ù and whomever else would most likely be first on the scene ù outside "right now" to point out, demonstrate and practice key operations to be performed in case of an emergency. Here's Hogsett's suggested "check list of skills" which could save a life ù maybe yours ù during this year's harvest season: •Where and how to turn off the ignition on gas-powered equipment. •How to operate the fuel shut-off on diesel equipment. •How to disengage the power takeoff (PTO). •How to drive forward and in reverse. •How to operate the lights. •Location of fire extinguisher and how to operate it. •Location of electrical power lines in relation to movement of equipment. •How to disconnect electric power. •How to raise and lower a tractor loader and bucket. •How to operate hydraulic control levers. •How to turn off augers and elevators. •How to raise the combine head and how to use the safety bar. •How to turn on fans to get air movement in manure pits. •Location of water tanks in case of an anhydrous ammonia accident. •How to turn off the grain drier and automatic grain cycling equipment. •How to contact rescue or emergency personnel (are numbers handy?). •How to get emergency vehicles into various parts of the farmstead.

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