The Michigan Guarding Standard for Agricultural Equipment has been in effect since 1977. The standard is a requirement to guard farmstead equipment covering the meshing point or nip-point of all power driven gears, belts, chains, sheaves, pulleys, sprockets and idlers. It also includes guarding most revolving shafts, including: projecting bolts, keys and revolving shaft set screws.

Power transmission safeguards are standard on most newer farm machinery and power-driven equipment. However, not all agricultural equipment, especially older machines, have built-in safeguards provided by the manufacturer. Operations with employees need to guard equipment and machines to comply with existing safety standards. Check the October, 1999 Safety News for ideas on types of guard materials, and user-built guard construction tips.

Safety Tip: The first place to look for the correct guard or shield is at the dealer. Possibly an agricultural salvage dealer can provide a used, undamaged "take-off" part that was original equipment on the tractor or farm equipment.

User-built guards may not conform well and could be a poorly designed risk to the shape and function of the machine. Still, user-built guards are sometimes necessary for a variety of reasons. It could be the only practical safeguarding solution according to the federal OSHA publication on guard construction.

Howard Doss