As the "double rush" farming season progresses, the following operational safety guidelines for agricultural machinery are crucial for all involved.
Fundamental Safety Prerequisites for Machinery Operation
Firstly, operators must be certified. For tractors, combine harvesters, and other machinery requiring licensing, operators must undergo professional training, pass assessments, and obtain the appropriate license for the specific machine type. This license must be carried during all work and transport. Operating without a license, operating a machine for which one is not certified, or allowing uncertified individuals to operate machinery is strictly prohibited.
Secondly, machinery must be compliant and regularly inspected. All agricultural equipment must be properly registered, licensed, and undergo periodic safety inspections. Machinery that fails inspection, lacks required safety features, has defective components, or has reached scrappage standards must not be used. Unauthorized modifications or alterations to core safety components like brakes, transmissions, and protective guards are forbidden.
Thirdly, operators must meet health and conduct standards. Individuals under 18, those with medical conditions impairing safe operation, persons under the influence of state-controlled substances or alcohol, and those who are overly fatigued are prohibited from operating machinery. Operators should wear fitted work clothes with fastened cuffs to prevent entanglement. Loose clothing, sandals, or slippers are not allowed.
Key Considerations for Field Operations
Pre-Operation Machinery Preparation
Before work begins, harvesting machinery should undergo a comprehensive inspection and maintenance check. Focus on the operation, transmission, and clearances of the walking gear, steering system, header, conveyors, threshing and cleaning mechanisms, and grain unloading systems. Replace any damaged parts and eliminate risks of grain leakage or blockages. Machinery equipped with straw chopping and spreading functions is preferred. Furthermore, clear fields of obstacles like stones and stumps, and drain water from low-lying areas to improve ground conditions for the machinery.
Critical Safety Points
1. Strictly enforce entry management for both machinery and personnel. Ensure firefighting equipment is available. Carry all necessary documentation for cross-regional operations. Operators must be certified; no operation without a license, under the influence, or while fatigued is permitted.
2. Standardize field operations. Clear obstacles before entering the field, identify potential hazards, and plan a safe route. Slow down and sound the horn when starting, turning, or reversing to prevent tipping or collisions. Do not perform repairs or clear blockages while machinery is running. Keep non-essential personnel away from the work area. Do not use agricultural machinery to illegally transport people.
3. Maintain a steady speed during operation to avoid the header hitting field ridges or ditches. Disengage the harvesting mechanism and raise the header before turning. In the event of an engine overspeed, do not remove the load; immediately cut off the air and fuel supply to forcibly stop the engine. When transporting machinery between regions, obey all traffic rules and carry relevant documents.
4. After completing work, park the machinery on level, safe ground away from open flames. Turn off the engine, disconnect the power, remove the key, engage the parking brake, and lower any attached implements to the ground, ensuring the machine is completely stable. Promptly clean off weeds, mud, and debris from the equipment. Check key components for wear, perform routine maintenance, replenish fuel and coolant, and troubleshoot any potential issues to prepare for the next operation.
5. Prioritize fire prevention in drying operations and fields. Before operating grain dryers, inspect electrical circuits and hot air ducts, and clean accumulated grain dust and debris inside the machine to prevent dust fires. Conduct thorough checks and maintenance to ensure safety guards are effective, sensors are functioning correctly, and no equipment is overloaded. During drying operations, personnel are strictly prohibited from entering the pre-drying or post-drying bins. Open flames, smoking, and burning straw are forbidden in fields. After field work, clear any accumulated vegetation from the machine body and allow it to cool.
Guidelines for Grain Drying Facility Operations
Grain drying facilities and their personnel must strictly adhere to the safety regulations for grain dryers, standardizing all operations to prevent accidents at the source.
Personnel Management and Site/Installation Standards
All personnel must complete safety operation training. Specialized workers like electricians must hold proper certifications. Staff must be thoroughly familiar with equipment manuals, safety protocols, and emergency procedures, and wear appropriate protective gear during work. Stationary grain dryers must be installed, debugged, and inspected as qualified by the manufacturer before use. Equipment should be placed on a solid foundation on level ground, and the work site must be equipped with fire extinguishers as per fire safety codes. Hazardous areas require clear warning signs, and elevated access points should have protective railings.
Phased Safety Inspection Protocol
1. Pre-Operation Check: Before startup, conduct a comprehensive hazard inspection. Clear internal debris from the dryer, discharge augers, and other equipment. Remove dust accumulation around the equipment and inside/outside electrical panels. Check that equipment is securely mounted, protective covers on transmission parts and safety warning signs are intact. Inspect the protective screens on fan and heat exchanger air inlets, and the stability of work platforms, guardrails, and anti-slip facilities. Verify the sealing of electrical cabinets and the integrity of wiring, and check the operational status of control panel instruments and indicator lights. After all checks, run the machine empty to confirm that fans, transmission parts, and heating systems are functioning normally before loading grain.
2. In-Operation Check: Continuously monitor equipment load during operation; overload operation is strictly prohibited. Pay close attention to areas prone to blockages, like pipes and hoppers, keeping passages clear. Monitor equipment status closely. If abnormal noises, discharge auger blockages, or elevator malfunctions occur, immediately stop the machine and cut power before troubleshooting.
3. Post-Operation Check: After operations conclude, perform a full inspection of all equipment, repairing any faults found. Ensure all inspection ports and ventilation openings are closed. Protect exposed wires and repair any damaged wiring immediately to prevent short circuits or electric shocks. At the end of an operational cycle, clean residual grain, debris, and dust from inside and outside the equipment. Lubricate bearings, sprockets, and chains with oil or grease as part of routine maintenance.
Emergency Response for Critical Situations
1. In case of entanglement or crushing injuries by machinery, immediately stop the machine and cut power. Do not attempt to forcibly pull the victim free. Call 120 for emergency medical assistance and secure the scene.
2. If a machinery fire breaks out, use a fire extinguisher during the initial stage. If the fire cannot be controlled, call 119 immediately.
3. In the event of a traffic accident or a major field incident, cease all operations immediately, provide aid to the injured, secure the scene, and promptly report the incident to the departments of agriculture and rural affairs, emergency management, and public security for investigation and handling.
Criteria for Determining Major Accident Hazards
Major accident hazards in agricultural machinery safety refer to risks that could easily lead to mass casualties or significant economic losses during machinery operation or transport.
1. Using tractors or similar machinery to illegally transport 10 or more people, or operating with a load exceeding 100% of the designated limit.
2. Having 10 or more non-operating personnel enter the work area during the operation of machinery like combine harvesters.
3. Failure by responsible entities or individuals to fulfill agricultural machinery safety duties, such as not addressing critical risks like brake or steering system failures or the absence of major safety guards on operational machinery.
4. For complex cases where it is difficult to directly determine if a situation constitutes a major hazard, local agricultural mechanization management departments may consult with relevant authorities or organize expert panels to make a comprehensive judgment based on applicable laws, regulations, and mandatory standards.
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