Eliminating Summer Shortcuts

Increase Safety and Efficiency While Temperatures and Traffic Rise on Jobsites
By Gilbert Pena

The summer work season is in full swing and that means rising temperatures, rising gas costs and, sometimes, a rising risk of carelessness. With people ready to leave work and enjoy the nice weather — or escape the scorching heat — it’s easy to understand how routine maintenance and ordinary safety procedures can take a backseat to what may seem like a more convenient solution. But shortcuts always backfire — often causing damage to equipment or injury to people.

Regardless of how high the mercury climbs, remain focused on three essentials this summer: human safety, equipment safety and equipment maintenance.

Keeping Human Safety on the Up and Up

With more projects to complete and often with more people employed during the summer season, ensure that your safety program remains up to date on a weekly basis. Chase Tew, John Deere commercial segment planning manager, says that the best place to start is the most often overlooked: paperwork and records.

“Start by making sure all staff emergency contact forms are up to date, particularly as seasonal or part-time workers may increase during this time,” says Tew. “This is also a good time to review liability policies and release forms as well.”

If you don’t hold one already, begin a weekly or daily safety meeting in which you review:

• The location of all first-aid kits (check these on a weekly basis and restock as necessary).
• Emergency procedures (in case of accident, bad weather or evacuations).
• The name and phone number of and directions to the nearest hospital and where this information can be found in the event of an emergency.
• Bilingual instructions or materials as necessary.

Remind equipment operators not to forgo proper clothing requirements. While more skin coverage and close-toed footwear may seem uncomfortable, it helps protect against operator injury when using or maintaining equipment. Summer temperatures also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Instruct employees to stay hydrated, even if they have an air-conditioned interior or a shady area to escape to on occasion. Fluid loss can happen quickly. Ensure that employees know the signs of heat stroke and how to administer proper first aid.

“As a manager, owner or foreman, keep in mind that a five-minute break in the shade and a bottle of water per employee is cheaper in the long run than a damaged piece of equipment — or an injured human,” warns Tew. “An employee may find his or her efficiency significantly decreased or could even pass out if suffering from dehydration or a heat-related illness.”

Even with the most careful planning, sometimes accidents do happen. If an accident occurs, direct employees to seek appropriate treatment immediately, whether that is first aid, urgent care or an emergency room. Even the smallest injuries or abrasions can lead to infections or longer-term issues if left untreated.

Other situations may not seem serious but should not be ignored. For example, Tew cites the dangers of maintenance fluid inadvertently injected into the skin: “It may not look bad at first, but those fluids must be surgically removed within a few hours or gangrene could result." Tew also notes that some doctors may be unfamiliar with this type of injury, so make sure you check with the equipment manufacturer to see if it has additional medical information available.

“For example, Deere & Company offers equipment owners and operators in the United States and Canada access to the John Deere Medical Department in Moline, Ill., in cases like this,” he advises. “All you have to do is call 1-800-822-8262.”

Maintaining Safe Standards When Maintaining Equipment

When not handled properly, even compact equipment (tractors, utility vehicles, mowers and the like) can be hazardous to both operators and maintenance staff. All employees — whether new, seasonal or long-time — will benefit from a review of operating and maintenance safety.

“The review should include an emphasis on safety guards and shields, how they are designed to protect operators and why they should be left in place,” says Tew. “Be sure to review operating safety if necessary, including proper management of speed, turning and traveling across slopes.”

Before beginning maintenance, the following key points should be followed to keep personnel safe:

• Wear protective clothing and use insulated tools.

• If the machine has a fuel switch, shut off the fuel supply before storing or transporting the machine.

• Do not store a machine near an open flame or source of ignition such as a water heater or furnace.

• Never operate a machine in a closed area, as dangerous carbon monoxide fumes can collect.

• Never make any adjustments or repairs with the engine running.

• Wait for all movement to stop on the machine before adjusting, cleaning or repairing.

• Lower any attachments to the ground before cleaning or servicing a machine.

• Disengage all power and stop the machine’s engine.

• Lock the parking brake and remove the key from the machine.

• Let the machine cool completely before beginning maintenance.

Because power sources can be hazardous when handled improperly, the following tips should be followed before beginning repair work:

• Disconnect the battery or remove the spark plug wire (for gasoline engines) before making any repairs.

• Disconnect negative terminal first and positive last.

• Install positive terminal first and negative last.

• Charge batteries in an open, well-ventilated area away from sparks.

• Unplug the battery charger before connecting or disconnecting from the battery.

For large equipment such as compact tractors, utility vehicles or zero-turn-radius mowers, there are additional considerations to ensure safe maintenance work:

• Securely support any machine elements that must be raised for service work.

• Use jack stands or lock service latches to support components when needed.

• Before servicing machines or attachments, carefully release pressure from any components with stored energy such as hydraulic components or springs.

• Release hydraulic pressure by lowering an attachment or a cutting unit to the ground or to a mechanical stop. Then move hydraulic control levers back and forth.

Instruct operators to protect themselves while working. In addition to proper clothing or protective gear, follow these tips while performing maintenance tasks:

• Search for leaks with a piece of cardboard rather than exposing your skin or face.

• Protect hands and body from high-pressure fluids. Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin, causing serious injury. Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before disconnecting hydraulic or other lines.

• Tighten all connections before applying pressure.

• When inflating tires, use a clip-on chuck and extension hose long enough to allow the operator to stand to one side. Never stand in front of or over the tire assembly.

More Maintenance Equals Less Problems

Keeping equipment well-maintained should already be a part of the routine, regardless of the season. Since many annual services are performed either before or after the winter storage period, the summer is generally a time to concentrate on daily and weekly maintenance and monitoring other maintenance milestones. Refer to each machine’s manual for guidelines and tips regarding regular maintenance.

The daily maintenance checklist will vary depending on the machine, but the following tips can be applied to most equipment:

• Keep the machine clean and free of build-up, whether of grass and leaves from summer storms or the dust and debris from overly dry conditions.

• Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel-soaked debris.

• Test safety systems.

• Check fuel level.

• Check engine oil level.

• Check transmission oil level.

• Check air filter rubber dust unloading valve.

• Check radiator coolant level.

• Check coolant level.

• Check brake fluid level.

• Check area below machine for fluid leaks.

• Check brakes and parking brake operation.

• Check tire pressure.

• Check hydraulic connections.

• Check air restriction indicator.

• Clean debris from engine, especially air intake screen.

• Check for loose, missing or damaged parts.

• Tighten any loose hardware, particularly blades or other attachment bolts.

• Check seat belt function.

Keep in mind that as fluids are replenished or parts are replaced, it is important to read the manufacturer’s specifications. Purchasing manufacturer-designed parts ensures that the parts will meet the machine’s needs. If you choose to use after-market parts, be sure to compare their makeup to the manufacturer’s specifications.

For example, purchasing a cheaper air filter for a compact tractor’s engine “may seem like a good deal, but if the consistency or quality of that filter is less than the manufacturer’s specifications, it won’t operate appropriately,” advises Tew. “It may not allow access to as much air as that engine needs or, conversely, may let in more dirt particles.

“Parts of lesser quality may function adequately but generally require replacement more often,” he continues. “This could become a problem if not monitored closely. Manuals list recommended replacement time frames based on their specs. If the staff is changing out a part according to the manual but using a cheaper part that’s long-past its prime, you’re going to wind up with equipment damage.”

Summer also tends to bring higher fuel costs. Like good-quality parts, quality fuel is also an investment worth making, as proper fuel will optimize engine performance and decrease exhaust emissions.

“If you’re looking to save money on fuel — and most of us are — then do it by keeping your equipment well-maintained and leak-free to ensure that it runs more efficiently,” says Tew. “Greater efficiency means less fuel consumption and less waste, as well as fewer dollars spent filling up the gas tank or repairing issues.”

Keep in mind that eventually, parts or even entire pieces of equipment should be replaced to not only prevent continual degradation but also capitalize on newer, more efficient technologies.

As the heat of summer hits, spend a little less time dreaming of your vacation and a little more time focusing on human and equipment safety and equipment maintenance. Without that focus, you or your staff could wind up stuck at work fixing equipment, juggling resources or even having to stay home to deal with an injury or illness — and what kind of vacation would that be? Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to daydream when you’re actually on vacation.

Gilbert Pena is a Business-to-Business Segment Strategy manager at John Deere, Cary, N.C.