Citation

Thomas RS, Buckmaster DR. J. Agric. Saf. Health 2003; 9(3): 241-250.

Affiliation

Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, 249 Agricultural Engineering Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. rst5@psu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Society of Agricultural Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12970954

Abstract

Nearly all tractor PTO arrangements used today

consist of a rotating mechanical shaft with two or more universal joints and

splined couplings. Although this method of power transfer has been the standard

for decades, it continues to be a hazard to farm workers. Commonly, PTO

accidents involve the snagging of clothes, resulting in the victim being rapidly

and violently drawn into (and around) the rotating shaft. Entanglement injuries

are both common and severe in the agricultural workforce, with poor shielding

maintenance as a contributing factor. If PTO loads were driven with fluid power,

this entanglement hazard would be eliminated. With high-pressure injection

injury being the principal hazard, the fluid power alternative appears to pose a

lower risk in terms of both frequency of occurrence and severity of

injury.