Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 95MO073, 1995 Dec; :1-4
On July 19, 1995, a 23-year-old farmer was killed when the tying mechanism on a square hay baler activated, causing a severe head injury. The victim was part of a four-man crew baling and stacking hay on a wagon. The victim, who was stacking hay on the wagon, noticed that the tying mechanism had stopped working and notified the operator of the tractor to stop. The operator stopped and disengaged the power-take-off (PTO). While the PTO and flywheel was still winding down the victim crawled underneath the baler and reached inside the tying mechanism to free the tangled twine. The release of the tangled twine caused the mechanism to activate, crushing the victim's head. 1. The MO FACE Investigator concluded that in order to prevent similar occurrences, workers should: 2. ensure the PTO is disengaged, the engine on the tractor is shut off, the key is taken from the ignition, and the machine has come to a complete stop and de-energized before any repairs to the machine are made.
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