Engr Segun R. Bello

Agricultural Machinery Hazards: Safety Practices Engr Segun R. Bello

As long as agriculture underpins the survival of humanity, safety remains a relevant issue to life security in and around the farm community for system sustainability. An understanding of the issues and values of hazard and safety in machinery operations will aid decision-making reinforced by principles and practice. The diversity and complexity of agricultural and related machinery have become an index for increased rate of accident and injury occurrence experienced during operations and maintenance. Therefore, the study of machinery hazards, hazard sources and points in machinery and subsequent safe practices will help to eliminate, eradicate or control such hazards and provide workers with the opportunity to operate machinery more safely and develop skills in improved material and machine handling, as well as facilitate effective utilization of signal communication techniques and the attainment of relevant knowledge in accident prevention in primary production processes. One fundamental and pertinent question one should ask therefore is 'how safe is your farm?' Response to this question is salient but essential for safe-farm machinery operation (SMO) and increased productivity and reduced downtime due to accident incidences and accident compensation claims. Such measures were presented in this book as you take a journey through it.