Tractor Power Take-off Rebate Program

WorkCover’s Power Take-Off Safety (PTO) rebate scheme was launched at the 2005 Safety Summit, as part of WorkCover’s ongoing program of improving health and safety in the rural sector.

It is a  $1.1 million rebate scheme, providing financial assistance to 5,000 farmers for PTO guarding, and reinforces WorkCover’s commitment to improving safety on farms.

Guarding PTO’s is a manageable and simple part of tractor operation. Through this incentive, farmers will be able to receive a financial incentive to purchase and fit guards on PTO equipment, as part of their own safety practices.

Guards must comply with either the Australian (AS1121-1983) or International (ISO5674:2004) standards to be eligible for the rebate. The rebate is available on a one-application-per-farm basis for 100% of the price, with the maximum rebate being $200. The rebate will be available until 31 August 2009  or until funds are expended.

A tractor power take-off (PTO) stub shaft, coupling and implement drive shaft are very dangerous if used and not correctly guarded. Each year people are killed or seriously injured in incidents involving tractor PTOs where the person's clothing, hair, jewellery, hands or limbs get caught and become wrapped around an unguarded PTO shaft or coupling.

Power Take Offs

WorkCover NSW injury data (1990/01-2003/04) indicates that up to 22 percent (average 16%) of severe tractor related incidents have been caused by being hit, or becoming entangled in moving machinery such as the rotating driveline between the tractor and the implement. The risks associated with PTO usage appear higher for females living or working on a farm. Factors like long hair blown or loose clothing coming into contact with unguarded PTO shafts or couplings is a common cause of entanglement.

If a person's clothing or jacket drawstring is caught by an unguarded PTO shaft or coupling and the material does not tear apart as the shaft continues to rotate, the victim can be drawn into and struck by part of the tractor or implement, or may be flung to the ground, often receiving fatal injuries. Even if the clothing is torn apart, there is still a strong possibility that the person will be seriously injured.

Prevention measures

Designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of tractors and tractor PTO drive shafts and employers who own a tractor have an obligation to minimise health and safety risks associated with the use of tractor PTOs.

Designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of tractors should ensure that:

•  the tractor PTO stub shaft is adequately guarded. The guards for stub shaft should allow flexibility of operation, while fully enclosing the dangerous parts. Where clear access is needed to fit equipment, shields may be attached by hinges or lynch pins. Otherwise they should be firmly bolted to the tractor and driven unit.
•  the tractor PTO drive shaft is fully guarded for its entire length by a durable cover tube or casing. The guarding may be either a rotating type or non-rotating type. For non-rotating guards, means of restraining the guard shall be provided.
•  the protective tube or casing has a conical guard over the universal coupling and is covered by protective shields at each end of the PTO drive shaft to prevent access to rotating parts.
• purchasers of the tractor are provided with clear instructions and warnings for safe operation and maintenance of the tractor (including maintenance of the guards).

Employers

Employers who own a tractor should ensure that:

•  the tractor is not in use unless the tractor PTO stub shaft, drive shaft and universal coupling are adequately guarded as outlined above under the Designers etc section.
•  the tractor manufacturer's instructions and warnings for safe operation and maintenance of the tractor (including maintenance of the guards) are strictly followed.
• all operators of the tractor are provided with necessary training for the safe operation of the tractor, and PTO guards are checked prior to use and operators are trained to report any missing or damaged guards and other safety devices.
• when the tractor is operating with implement, it is not turned too sharply as this could cause the lower links or tractor tyre to foul the PTO drive shaft. The PTO drive should always be disengaged when making sharp turns.
• if there is any blockage from PTO-driven implement, the clearing of the blockage only occurs when the power drive has been disengaged, the tractor engine has stopped, all controls are in neutral, the hand brake is applied, the engine key is removed and all movements have ceased.

Legal requirements

Section 8 of the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (OHS Act) requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees of the employer.
 
Clause 136 (d) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (OHS Reg) requires employers to control the risk of entanglement through guarding.

Further Information

 Rebate Application Form and Brochure