Occupational Safety Training Document for Agricultural Machinery Operation

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The document for the occupational safety training course for operating agricultural machinery equips workers with safety knowledge and helps prevent hazards when operating agricultural machinery.

PART 1: THE CURRENT STATE OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY IN THE OPERATION OF MOTORIZED AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY IN VIETNAM

1. General Situation in the Safety Documentation for Operating Agricultural Machinery

To study and assess the current state of safety in the use of motorized machinery in agriculture, a team conducted a random survey of 662 households in 13 provinces that use various types of motorized machinery and equipment in agricultural production, with a total of 1918 machines of various types, to obtain necessary information about the workers, the main types of machinery used, and the common types of accidents encountered. Due to the diversity of machinery and production types, in our analysis, we selected some basic stages in agricultural production and the main machinery serving these production types—machinery for soil preparation, cultivation, and harvesting and preliminary processing of products.

With the types of accidents shown in the data collection survey, we examine the shortcomings in occupational safety and health (OSH) work from various factors, including policies, legal regulations on management and organization, as well as technical aspects from the central to the local level; regarding machinery, equipment, and people, to initially propose a program for managing and controlling OSH in this field in the Mekong Delta region, contributing to the development of comprehensive solutions for OSH work in the mechanization of Vietnamese agriculture in the coming years.

Through practical analysis, the factors related to management, organization, and implementation; technical factors for machinery and equipment; and factors related to workers have led to the current state of occupational unsafety in production.

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2. Accident Statistics in the Operation of Motorized Agricultural Machinery

In the use of motorized agricultural machinery, a worrying figure is that farmers use various types of machinery for production, from soil preparation, cultivation, and harvesting to preliminary processing, almost without any formal training, yet they have to use them daily.

Some equipment is imported from advanced countries like Japan and France, while most types of machinery such as plows, harrows, cultivators, harvesters, rice threshers, pumps, and mills are produced domestically, but the number of machines that meet safety standards and regulations is not high. Not to mention some self-made machines to meet production requirements are not controlled by functional agencies, and many pieces of equipment lack basic safety structures. This is one of the reasons for the accidents in agricultural production in recent times.

According to a report from the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs, occupational accidents in agriculture account for 5% of the country’s occupational accidents, with 5.5% of fatal accidents and a relatively high frequency of non-fatal injuries. Comparing the risk of injury in other industries, agricultural labor is the industry with the second-highest risk of injury after construction and mining, and this is a situation that needs serious attention.

Another reality is that most farmers currently lack knowledge and skills in using agricultural machinery. Although the Farmers’ Association and Agricultural Extension Centers in the provinces have made certain efforts in propaganda and training on OSH for farmers, the results reported are still very modest. Workers mainly operate machinery and equipment through “on-the-job training,” so accidents are difficult to avoid. In addition, this group of workers is also very scattered, their jobs are not fixed, and their working hours are irregular, so this type of labor in agriculture has little opportunity for training in skills related to occupational safety and hygiene in production.

Like other professions, ensuring OSH for agricultural workers is extremely important. Therefore, promoting the implementation of OSH work in agriculture has great significance. The nature of the work is not complex but is spread out, and the target audience is farmers who do not yet have labor relations or a reasonable management mechanism. Therefore, it cannot be asserted that this work will be improved within a certain period, but it is thought that there needs to be appropriate attention from state management agencies at all levels, professional organizations, agencies, departments, and functional branches from the central to the local level with the ultimate goal of ensuring OSH in the labor and production processes of this field.

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3. Survey on the Use of Machinery and Equipment in Agricultural Production in the Mekong Delta Region

A survey was conducted on 662 agricultural production households using machinery and equipment in agricultural production, with 1918 pieces of equipment of various types surveyed. In reality, we could not investigate in detail each type of machine but only recorded the number of machine types each household reported using and the common types of accidents encountered during the use of this equipment, with basic factors of people and equipment to have a general assessment of the current state of occupational safety in rice production in the Mekong Delta provinces. The summary of results on the type of accidents with the main production machinery is as follows:

PROVINCE	LARGE PLOW	MEDIUM-SMALL PLOW	HARROW	TILLER	SEEDER	REAPER	COMBINE HARVESTER	THRESHER	WATER PUMP	SPRAYER	DRYER
DONG THAP	10	20	11	12	8	11	22	20	14	22	6
VINH LONG	9	18	10	11	8	11	21	22	15	23	5
CA MAU	8	20	11	10	7	12	19	20	14	15	4
BAC LIEU	9	22	12	9	6	13	19	20	14	21	4
TIEN GIANG	11	20	11	8	5	14	8	21	19	23	5
KIEN GIANG	14	23	11	10	8	16	22	18	21	25	7
AN GIANG	15	23	8	8	8	20	23	16	25	16	8
HAU GIANG	8	20	8	8	8	20	16	16	19	22	3
CAN THO	6	19	8	8	6	18	14	14	20	18	2
SOC TRANG	10	19	8	8	7	19	19	14	20	18	7
LONG AN	10	19	8	8	7	19	19	14	19	15	0
TRA VINH	10	19	8	8	6	18	17	14	19	15	4
BEN TRE	8	18	7	6	5	15	11	12	19	15	2
TOTAL	128	260	121	114	88	205	228	221	238	258	57

 

Analysis and evaluation of the causes of occupational unsafety.

From the figures we have collected above, some observations can be made about the users of machinery in agricultural production activities.

• Equipment operator
  • The majority of equipment operators are of working age, over 18 years old (91.8%), of which only 24.3% have received vocational training and 34.9% have heard about (not yet trained in) occupational safety when working with machinery and equipment.
• Machinery and equipment
  • For mechanical machines such as plows, harrows, and tillers, the accident rates due to being struck by, pierced, or cut (20.7%), flying objects (35.2%), and falls (30.2%) are high.
  • Flying objects are caused by the rotating motion of working parts during operation, which imparts kinetic energy to the objects being worked on. Due to the working principle of the equipment, not all rotating parts can be shielded.
  • The exposed working parts of this group of mechanical machines are usually sharp (cutting knives, cutting discs, milling blades, etc.) and pointed (rice dividers, harrow teeth, etc.), so accidents due to being pierced or cut also have a high rate.
  • Accidents due to falls have many different causes, but during operation, the operator often cannot control the machine (with two-wheeled plows and tillers). Falls occur due to slipping when getting on and off the tractor, falls due to focusing on productivity and neglecting safety, especially in a working environment with slippery water and mud.
    • Machinery and equipment: For machines like harvesters and combine harvesters, the accident rates are due to being struck by, pierced, or cut (16.2%), flying objects (37.2%), and getting hands/feet caught (16.3%). Flying objects are mainly rice grains and other materials stuck to the rotating parts of the machine.
    • Water pumps: The water pumps surveyed in households are usually electric pumps or engine-powered pumps. The main accidents here are falls (15.2%) and electric shock (9.06%). Pumps of this type are often not fixed but are moved according to cultivation and seasonal requirements. Due to this movement and the unfavorable working environment, damage to the insulation of wires and equipment is likely to occur, leading to electrical accidents and falls due to slippery working surfaces.
    • Pesticide sprayers: The hazards here are pesticides splashing onto people, poisoning, and falls. Pesticides splashing onto people (64.1%) and various forms of poisoning (13.8%) are due to not using PPE. Falls also have a high rate (21.9%) because when spraying, mainly with backpack sprayers, the worker often has to carry heavy equipment and focuses on spraying, forgetting to watch the ground, and thus often trips and falls.
    • Rice threshers: In recent years, with the use of combine harvesters, the use of rice threshers has tended to decrease but not significantly. According to statistics, there are still over 23,000 rice threshers in the region. The main types of accidents are flying objects (67.2%), falls (20.2%), and getting hands caught in the machine (12.6%).
• Working Environment
  • Farmers themselves have little knowledge and work with objects that, although not complex, pose many potential safety risks in an unfavorable working environment in terms of terrain, weather, and many other factors. In addition, it is difficult for humans to intervene to reduce the risks caused by these unfavorable environmental factors.
• Analysis and evaluation to identify the causes of occupational unsafety and accidents in the use of rice production machinery
  • Through the survey of machinery and equipment, the worker operating the machine is an undeniable factor when it comes to occupational accidents when using agricultural machinery. Usually, when analyzing the causes of occupational accidents—an important criterion for evaluating occupational safety work—we attribute them to 4 groups of causes:
• Human factor: the worker operating the machinery, health, skills
  • (level, understanding of machinery use), years of experience, knowledge of occupational safety in using machinery.
  • The operator has not been trained in occupational safety, operating techniques, or safety techniques, mainly learning from the knowledge and experience of predecessors. This is the root of other errors by the worker, such as:
  • Errors in disassembly, assembly, and replacement (disassembling, assembling cultivation parts to the power unit, transmission parts, drive parts, etc.).
  • Lack of observation of exposed hazardous parts (sharp edges, points of the equipment), not paying attention to other workers.
  • Knowing the danger but still doing it (disassembling the transmission belt while the power source is running).
  • Working hastily and quickly to chase productivity.
  • Asking others to participate in the work who themselves do not understand occupational safety issues when participating.
  • Not using personal protective equipment, or if they do, it is very rudimentary and does not meet requirements.
  • To assess the potential for occupational accidents in the use of rice production machinery and equipment due to the worker, we chose to survey through 2 basic parameters: vocational training and understanding of occupational safety. It should also be noted that the machine operator here has heard about or is aware of occupational safety through organizations such as the Farmers’ Association, Agricultural Extension Center, District Agriculture Office, etc., but has not been formally trained.
• Machine and equipment factor
  • The machinery and equipment used in rice production are diverse, so the causes of occupational unsafety are very different and complex. Based on the risk of accidents that may be related to agricultural electrical machinery—citing standards; conducting a statistical survey of 1198 machines of various types serving rice production, we have summarized 7 common types of accidents when using machines in this field: piercing/cutting, flying objects, getting caught/jammed, falls, electric shock, and poisoning, originating from the following factors:
  • Commonly used machinery with uncontrolled quality, consuming time and effort in maintenance and servicing.
  • Diverse power sources for various types of machines, with many functions combined into one machine.
  • Many exposed rotating parts, gaps between moving parts of the machine, folding parts, and exposed sharp and pointed parts.
  • Lack of safety protection devices and tools (guards, warnings, etc.).
• Environmental factor
  • The impact of environmental factors is one of the causes leading to occupational accidents, such as weather, soil, water, air, work objects, work terrain, affected subjects, etc.
  • Diverse work objects, the agricultural working environment is constantly changing and non-standard (many different work stages, long product harvesting times, etc.).
  • The labor process is affected by heat, rain, wind, dust, mud, noise, vibration, etc.
  • Production frequently changes with the weather, seasons, climate, etc., creating pressure on the workers.

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4. Current State of Safety Management by Localities

Management factor: For many years, agricultural labor was not included in the scope of the Labor Law until the Law on Occupational Safety and Health was enacted in 2015, when this group was brought under the law’s application. For a long time, this group of workers was not subject to any management regarding occupational safety. This legal management gap is an important factor contributing to the cause of occupational unsafety in production in this field.

• Because they were not regulated by law, their activities were not managed, supervised, or sanctioned.
• Guiding documents from relevant Ministries and sectors are still at a macro level and lack specific guidance on implementation, especially for subjects not yet covered by the law. This leads to a series of shortcomings due to management factors:
  • Lack of guiding documents, training, and instruction on OSH for industries and occupations in agriculture.
  • Lack of mechanisms and documents for managing agricultural machinery, equipment, and production means.
  • Lack of mechanisms and documents for inspecting and supervising the agricultural production process.

With the data above, it can be seen that the labor situation with electromechanical machinery and equipment in some sectors of agricultural production still requires a lot of investment because it is not yet safe, and the risk of occupational accidents continues. For rice threshers and pesticide sprayers, the main flying objects are rice and pesticides. We did not investigate from an injury perspective, but it is clear that the risk of accidents cannot be underestimated.

Through surveying and assessing the current state of occupational safety in the use of agricultural production machinery and equipment, the research team has specifically analyzed some of the main causes related to management, machinery and equipment, people, and the environment. Based on this, they have proposed the development of a Program for Management and Control of Occupational Safety for the Mekong Delta region, contributing to the management and control of OSH for workers who directly use machinery in agriculture in general and rice production in particular, aiming to minimize occupational accidents in the future, as set out in the “National Program on OSH for the period 2016-2020” and the following years.

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PART 2: HAZARDOUS AND HARMFUL FACTORS IN THE OPERATION OF MOTORIZED AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

1. Some Basic Concepts in the Safety Documentation for Operating Agricultural Machinery

• Occupational safety is a solution to prevent and combat the effects of hazardous factors to ensure that no injuries or fatalities occur to people during the labor process.
• Occupational hygiene is a solution to prevent and combat the effects of harmful factors that cause illness and reduce human health during the labor process.
• A hazardous factor is a factor that causes unsafety, injury, or death to people during the labor process.
• A harmful factor is a factor that causes illness and reduces human health during the labor process.
• A technical incident causing occupational unsafety and poor hygiene is the failure of machinery, equipment, materials, or substances beyond the permissible technical safety limits, occurring during the labor process and causing or threatening to cause damage to people, property, and the environment.
• A serious technical incident causing occupational unsafety and poor hygiene is a major technical incident that causes occupational unsafety and poor hygiene, occurs over a wide area, and exceeds the response capacity of the production and business establishment, agency, organization, or locality, or involves multiple production and business establishments or localities.
• An occupational accident is an accident that causes injury to any part or function of the body or causes death to the worker, occurring during the labor process and associated with the performance of work and labor tasks.
• An occupational disease is a disease that arises due to the harmful working conditions of a profession affecting the worker.

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2. Hazardous Factors in Production in the Safety Documentation for Operating Agricultural Machinery

These are factors that, when they affect the human body, often cause immediate accidents such as:

• Causing injury;
• Crushing body parts;
• Destroying the human body;
• Sometimes leading to death.

a) Identifying and managing hazardous factors in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Identification and assessment methods
  • Qualitative assessment: seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, production line, practical experience, etc.
  • Quantitative assessment: using measuring devices, analysis machines, etc.
• Managing hazardous factors
  • Review all processes and production stages, and identify hazardous factors.
  • Develop control and prevention plans (select the appropriate plan).
  • Organize forces, finances, materials, and techniques to manage and handle hazardous factors.

b) Drive and moving parts of the machine in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Gears;
• Belts, chains;
• Moving vehicles, machines;
• Conveyor belts;
• Rolling, pressing, stamping machines;
• Crushing, grinding machines;

• Causes
  • Loss of balance when performing flattening operations;
  • Using hands instead of specialized tools;
  • Not guarding the danger zone; Lack of safety supervision…
• Remedial measures
  • When buying new equipment, it must have guards and safety features;
  • Make guards and shields to prevent dangerous contact;
  • Instruct workers on safe working methods; equip them.
• Preventive measures
  • Guard the drive parts; Isolate the danger zone…

c. Power source in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• According to each voltage and current level, creating a risk of
  • Electric shock; Electric arc; Electromagnetic field; Fire, etc.
  • Paralyzing the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
• Cases of electrical accidents
  • Touching a conductor with voltage;
  • Touching a metal part of electrical equipment when the insulation is damaged;
  • Due to an electric arc; Due to step voltage; Due to static electricity.

• Remedial measures
  • Insulation: equipment and electrical wires must ensure insulation; high voltage must maintain a safe distance;
  • Protective grounding: to reduce voltage;
  • Neutral grounding protection: for single-phase short circuits;
  • Protective disconnection: to isolate the electrical equipment from the grid;
  • Lowering the voltage with an isolation transformer;
  • Equipotential bonding: to isolate and limit the current passing through a person.
• Electrical prevention measures
  • Safe operation: must be trained in the electrical trade, trained in electrical safety; be in good health. Work with a diagram, safety measures, and correct procedures; work and operation permits;
  • Proper and timely first aid for electric shock victims;
  • Prevention of static electricity;
  • Be fully equipped with tools and PPE for the electrical trade; barriers; signs, etc.

d. Falling, collapsing objects in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Some causes
  • Falling materials from above;
  • Rocks rolling down from cliffs;
  • Collapse of construction projects;
  • Cars falling into abysses, floors;
  • Collapse of earth and rock in tunnels; etc.
• Preventive measures
  • For falling objects from above
    • Prevent unauthorized people and vehicles from entering the danger zone; use guaranteed equipment for lifting and hoisting;
    • Do not leave materials near the edge of floors or upper levels;
    • Remove materials on slopes that are at risk of landslides or rolling down;
    • Have scaffolding, handrails, and safety nets when working at heights;
    • Provide firm support when working in areas prone to collapse;
  • Prevention of collapse
    • Construct according to the approved design and process;
    • Use a firm and guaranteed system of scaffolding and support frames;
    • Use machines and equipment according to technical requirements;
    • Workers must be professionally trained and trained in OSH; etc. In each field, there are specific measures,…

e. Flying, ejected objects

• Commonly encountered are chips from machining processes such as
  • Grinding, lathing, chiseling;
  • Metal fragments ejected during an explosion;
  • Rocks flying during blasting, etc.

• Preventive measures
  • Use covers, and screening nets;
  • Maintain a safe distance as regulated; Use PPE…

f. Heat source

• Some harmful effects of heat sources
  • Excessive heat can weaken health;
  • Easily cause occupational accidents; heatstroke; burns; fire, explosion, etc.
• Preventive measures
  • Use tools and equipment that meet standards;
  • Operate with a safe process and measures;
  • Workers must be professionally trained and trained in safety techniques and firefighting;
  • Be fully equipped with firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment;
  • Have adequate conditions for firefighting.

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3. Harmful Factors in Production

These are unfavorable elements of working conditions that exceed the permissible limits of occupational hygiene standards, reducing the health of workers and causing occupational diseases, such as microclimate, noise, vibration, radiation, light, dust, toxic substances, vapors, gases, and harmful organisms.

• A harmful factor in production is a factor that causes illness in workers.
• An occupational harmful factor is a factor present in the production process and workplace that adversely affects the health and working capacity of workers.

a) Poor microclimate in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

Microclimate is the physical state of the air in the confined space of the workplace, including factors of temperature, humidity, thermal radiation, and air movement speed. These factors must be kept within certain limits, suitable for human physiology.

• Temperatures higher or lower than the permissible standard can weaken the body and paralyze movement, thus increasing the level of danger when using machinery and equipment. Excessively high temperatures can cause neurological and cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases, heatstroke, sunstroke, and occupational cataracts. Excessively low temperatures can cause respiratory diseases, rheumatism, dry mucous membranes, colds, etc.
• High humidity can increase the conductivity of insulating materials, increase the risk of explosion from dust and gas, and make it difficult for the body to excrete sweat.
• Factors such as wind speed and thermal radiation, if higher or lower than the permissible hygiene standards, all affect health, cause illness, and reduce human work capacity.

b) Noise in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Noise is an unpleasant sound for humans, generated by the movement of machine parts or components due to impact, etc.
• Working in noisy conditions can easily cause occupational diseases such as deafness, autonomic neuritis, and sensory disorders, or reduce concentration in production work and decrease alertness. People become tired, irritable, and sleepy.
• Prolonged exposure to noise can lead to hearing loss, occupational deafness, or neurological diseases, easily leading to occupational accidents.

c) Vibration in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Partial vibration with local effects appears in the hands and fingers when working with chainsaws, pneumatic hammers, and polishing machines. Vibration causes Raynaud’s phenomenon, loss of sensation, and also causes damage to blood vessels, nerves, joints, muscles, and the sense of touch, and can spread and penetrate the central nervous system and the endocrine circulatory system.
• Whole-body vibration often occurs in people working on transportation vehicles, steam engines, crushers, etc. The shock causes constriction of the vascular system, increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Depending on the characteristics of the vibration, it can cause changes in different regions and parts of the human body.

d) Radiation in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Radiation source
  • The sun emits infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
  • Electric arcs, metal welding and cutting, and steel casting emit ultraviolet radiation.
  • People can suffer from sunstroke, reduced vision (due to infrared radiation), headaches, dizziness, reduced vision, and burns (due to ultraviolet radiation), leading to occupational accidents and diseases.
• Radioactivity
  • This is a special form of radiation. Radioactive rays are emitted due to changes within the atomic nucleus of some elements and their ability to ionize matter. These elements are called radioactive elements.
  • Radioactive rays cause harm to workers in the form of acute or chronic poisoning; dysfunction of the central nervous system, burns or blisters where the radiation is exposed, and damage to the hematopoietic organs causing anemia, infertility, cancer, and death.

e) Dust

Dust is a collection of many small particles existing in the air; the most dangerous are particles with a size of 0.5 – 5 micrometers; when this type of dust is inhaled, 70 – 80% of the dust enters the lungs and causes lung damage or pneumoconiosis.

• Organic dust: from animal and plant sources.
• Artificial dust: plastic, rubber, etc.
• Metal dust: iron, copper, etc.
• Inorganic dust: silica, asbestos, etc.

The level of danger and harm from dust depends on its physical and chemical properties. Dust can cause fire or explosion, reduce the insulation capacity of insulating parts, and wear down equipment. Dust can damage the respiratory organs, cause abrasions, and chronic inflammation, and depending on the type of dust, can lead to pneumonia and lung cancer; Cause skin diseases; Cause eye damage.

Pneumoconiosis is common in our country. According to the latest data, among about 30,000 people with occupational diseases, the rate of people with pneumoconiosis is 74%, including:

• Silicosis is caused by silica dust.
• Asbestosis is caused by asbestos dust.
• Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (Anthracosis) is caused by coal dust.
• Siderosis is caused by iron dust.

f) Toxic chemicals in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

Chemicals are increasingly used in industrial production, agriculture, and basic construction, such as Arsenic, Chromium, Benzene, alcohol, dust gases, acid solutions, bases, alkalis, salts, and non-biodegradable waste. Toxic chemicals can be in solid, liquid, gaseous, or dust form, depending on temperature and pressure conditions.

• Toxic chemicals can affect workers in the form of acute poisoning or chronic poisoning. Toxic chemicals are often classified into the following groups:
  • Group 1: Skin-burning and irritating substances such as concentrated acids, alkalis, etc.
  • Group 2: Respiratory irritants such as Chlorine, ammonia, SO3, etc.
  • Group 3: Asphyxiants such as carbon oxides (CO2, CO), methane (CH4), etc.
  • Group 4: Substances affecting the central nervous system such as H2S (rotten egg smell), gasoline, etc.
  • Group 5: Systemic poisons such as various hydrocarbons (toxic to many organs), benzene, phenol, lead, arsenic, etc.
• When exposed to toxic chemicals, workers can be poisoned through the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or skin. Among these, 95% of poisoning cases occur through the respiratory tract and are the most dangerous. The poison enters the body and participates in biochemical processes, where it can be converted into a non-toxic substance, but it can also be transformed into a more toxic substance. Some poisons enter the body and accumulate. Poisons can be excreted from the body through the skin, breath, urine, sweat, and milk, depending on the properties of each chemical.

g) Harmful microorganisms in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

In some occupations, workers are exposed to pathogenic microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, parasites, insects, and molds, such as in animal husbandry, slaughter, food processing, urban sanitation work, forestry, agriculture, and service in hospitals, treatment centers, rehabilitation facilities, and cemeteries.

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4. Principles of Fire and Explosion Prevention

a) Principles of fire prevention and fighting in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

Fire not only brings benefits to humans but, on the contrary, it is a sower of many unforeseen disasters if humans cannot control it, that is the disaster of fire.

As the economy develops and scientific and technical advances are increasingly applied in production, the damage caused by each fire also increases manifold.

Fire prevention and fighting aim to ensure the safety of state property, the lives and property of the people, contributing to maintaining national security and social order and safety.

• Definition of fire
  • Fire is a chemical reaction that releases heat and light.
  • Fire only occurs when there are 3 sufficient elements: Fuel + Oxygen + Heat source;
  • Leading to fire and explosion, there are many direct, indirect, and underlying causes. Here we study the direct causes caused by humans to take appropriate preventive measures.
• Some common causes of fire
  • Due to the effect of open flames, embers, and sparks;
  • Due to the effect of electrical energy;
  • Due to friction and impact between objects;
  • Due to the chemical reaction of chemicals.
• Fire prevention and fighting measures
  • To prevent and fight fires well, many solutions must be implemented, from propaganda and education to technical and administrative measures.
  • Measures must be implemented right from the design of the building, such as selecting building materials, firewalls, escape routes, fire water supply systems, and automatic fire alarm and extinguishing equipment.
  • Measures must be implemented during production and construction, such as checking the technical safety of machinery and equipment before operation and correctly implementing technical procedures.
  • Propaganda, education, and training measures
    • Employers must fulfill their responsibility to educate workers about fire prevention and fighting awareness; and organize training for them on how to prevent and fight fires.
    • Every agency, enterprise, and business unit must have an on-site fire prevention and fighting plan suitable for the characteristics of the facility and organize regular drills so that when a fire occurs, it can be handled promptly and effectively.
  • Technical measures
    • Replace hazardous production stages with less hazardous ones or mechanize and automate those stages.
    • Use additional additives and fire- and explosion-proof substances in environments that create flammable and explosive mixtures.
    • Isolate equipment or stages with a high risk of fire and explosion from normal production areas with many workers.
    • Limit all possibilities of generating heat sources, such as designing additional spark arresters for forklifts, chimneys, and exhaust pipes of vehicle engines.
    • Minimize the amount of combustible material (raw materials, products, etc.) in the production area.
    • Design and install fire-spread prevention systems in gasoline and gas pipelines, and prevent fire from spreading from one house to another.
    • Treat materials with fire-retardant paint or impregnate them with fire-retardant chemicals. Equip with additional automatic fire alarm and extinguishing systems.
  • Administrative – legal measures
    • Based on state documents (Laws, Ordinances, Directives, guiding Circulars), employers must study and issue regulations and fire safety measures in the unit and guide workers to implement them.

b) Principles of explosion prevention in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

An explosion is an extremely rapid transformation of matter, converting its energy into mechanical work to act on the surrounding environment. Explosions not only bring benefits to humans, such as blasting for quarrying stone and coal, demolishing structures, and building roads, but on the contrary, explosions of pressure equipment in production sow many unforeseen disasters. Explosions not only cause fatalities to workers and destroy property but also halt production, cause panic among workers, and reduce the unit’s reputation in the new integration era.

• Types of explosions
  • Physical explosion: a change in the state of matter; for example, the explosion of pressure vessels, metal explosions, etc.
  • Chemical explosion: an explosion due to a change in the chemical composition of matter; for example, methane gas explosions in mines, explosive explosions, etc.
  • Explosive explosion: an explosive explosion is a form of chemical explosion but has its own unique characteristics, such as a high reaction transmission speed of 2000 – 7000m/s, a large amount of heat released of 500 – 1700kcal/kg, a high gas product temperature of 1200 – 4500oC, a large gas volume of 500 – 1000liters/kg, and oxygen is available in the explosive, so oxygen in the air has no effect.
• Basic causes of explosions
  • Pressure equipment that is past its service life, is old, and has geometric defects.
  • Pressure equipment lacks or has no inspection devices (pressure gauges), control devices (pressure relays), or protection devices (safety valves), or has them but they are no longer effective.
  • Pressure equipment is placed in high-temperature areas, near open flames, with corrosive substances, etc.
  • Failure to check the flammable and explosive concentrations of liquids (gasoline, oil, alcohol, etc.) and gases (oxygen, hydrogen, LPG, etc.) in confined spaces.
  • Flammable and explosive chemical warehouses are located in incorrect places and have no preventive measures.
  • In particular, the operator of pressure equipment and the chemical warehouse keeper have not been trained in safety techniques as prescribed by the State.
• Prevention measures
  • Organizational – technical measures
    • To prevent fires and explosions from the design and construction stage of warehouses and yards, current standards must be complied with. For example, warehouses for storing explosive materials, warehouses for storing oxygen cylinders, gas cylinders, etc.
  • Administrative – legal measures
    • Based on State documents, Vietnamese Standards, and legal regulations, employers must establish rules and measures for fire and explosion prevention and control at the unit; register and inspect equipment with strict requirements for OSH.
  • Propaganda, education, and training measures
    • Employers must fulfill their obligation to educate all workers about fire and explosion prevention awareness and organize safety technique training for workers in occupations related to fire and explosion.

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PART 3: SAFE USE OF MOTORIZED MACHINERY IN AGRICULTURE

1. RICE THRESHER

a. Structure of the rice thresher in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

Threshing unit to separate grains from the plant

Rotating drum shaft: The teeth hit the rice plants and thresh them repeatedly and continuously along the length of the machine. The rice grains are separated from the plant. At the end of the rice thresher , there are 4 fan blades that push the separated straw out.

Grain separation and cleaning unit

Consists of shaking screens and a fan. The shaking screens run along the length of the machine with a length of 10mm. On the shaking screens, there is a fan switch to separate the rice into a separate chamber.

Machine Type	1600
Capacity depending on rice quality (minutes/sao Bac Bo)	3 – 6
Power in horsepower	13 – 10

 

Capacity and power of the machine

Engine mounting

When mounting the engine to the machine, the A-frame of the engine must be removed. Only a thin layer of material such as wood or hard plastic should be placed under the machine. Note that to ensure the safety of the machine, good quality bolts should be used to tighten the parts.

When the belt is newly installed, it will stretch quickly at first. Therefore, the belt tensioning bolts must be checked regularly to avoid the belt slipping, which reduces the quality and productivity of the work.

b. Moving the machine in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

The continuous rice thresher is designed with 3 wheels to be suitable mainly for rural areas. There are two load-bearing wheels and one guide wheel. Therefore, the machine is very easy to tip over while moving, especially when the engine is not yet mounted. Care must be taken when moving:

• Be cautious when going over potholes or on inclined surfaces.
• Do not tow it with a motor vehicle because the machine has no shock absorbers.

– Apply the brake when pulling the machine up or down a slope to ensure safety for people and the machine.

c. Safe operation rules for the machine in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

When using a continuous rice thresher, people need to pay attention to choosing a threshing location that is most suitable for the terrain and wind direction.

• Starting the machine
• Chock the wheels so the machine cannot move during operation. Check the bolts and V-belts.
• Check the grease in the machine’s bearings.
• Start the machine and let it run without load for 1-2 minutes. Then gradually increase the speed to suit the rice. Note that you should not run at too high a speed, which can affect the equipment.
• When threshing wet rice with a thin husk, to avoid damaging the husk, and with tough rice, keep the speed at a moderate level.
• Feed the rice continuously. When the rice is finished, let the machine continue to run without load for 2-3 minutes. Do not let the continuous rice thresher tilt because the rice will accumulate at one point.

d. How to feed rice in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

Convention

• For long, shedding, and wet rice, feed quickly according to the machine’s power. The limit is that the engine sound does not become heavy-laden.
• For short, tough, and dry rice, feed slowly. The limit is to avoid tangled threshing and rice going out with the straw.

How to feed rice

• There are many ways to feed as long as the rice goes in continuously without clumping to achieve high quality and productivity.
  • Method 1: Gather a bundle and put it into the feeding mouth, at the same time pushing it in at a slightly upward angle. The top part of the rice bundle will go into the machine first.
  • Method 2: Use the right hand to spread the rice evenly on the table, and the left hand to push the rice close to the bottom of the table’s guard plate.

e. Safety skills when using a continuous rice thresher and skills of the machine operator

For the machine operator

• The machine operator plays a direct and decisive role in the productivity and income of the harvest season. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange strong, flexible people and to continuously rotate shifts throughout the operation of the rice thresher.
• The person operating the machine must handle it flexibly when the rice is long, short, dry, wet, etc. In addition, they must coordinate smoothly in the stage of placing the rice on the table to make it easiest for the feeder to gather the rice.

Safety when running a continuous rice thresher

• Do not let strings, knives, sickles, or any hard objects get into the machine.
• The operator must use gloves to feed the rice.
• Do not stand near the fan, the straw blowing outlet, or the V-belts. If the rice gets clogged, stop and immediately disassemble the machine for inspection.
• Tighten the bolts regularly.

f. Specific instructions in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Instructions for adjusting the fan.
  • To increase or decrease the speed when the machine is working with dry or wet rice to make the machine clean well.
  • The fan blades are left on the machine; use pliers to bend the fan blades out (as shown in the drawing) when the machine is working in wet conditions for high wind speed.
  • The fan blades are left on the machine; use pliers to bend the fan blades out (as shown in the drawing) when the machine is working in wet conditions for low wind speed.
• Instructions for adjusting the threshing hammers on the drum body.
  • For tough rice
    • The tip of the hammer should always be about 25 mm away from the screen bars.
    • Instructions for using the two threshing bars
    • To enhance the ability to thresh wet and tough rice cleanly, the operator should install the two threshing bars on the top of the machine (on the inside) as designed (Figure 1) before operating the machine.
    • Note: The two threshing bars are already attached to the top of the machine; you just need to remove the bolts to perform the operations as instructed (1 and 2) to suit each type of rice.
    • Remove the two threshing bars on the top of the machine in case the rice is not tough (Figure 2). If they are no longer used, install the 2 threshing bars back to their original position on the top of the machine.
  • For non-tough rice
    • The tip of the hammer should always be about 25 mm away from the screen bars.
• Instructions on how to prevent rice from being carried away with the straw.
  • When the machine is working and the amount of rice carried away with the straw exceeds the permissible rate of 1.5 kg per sào of Bac Bo.
  • Remedy (1): Adjust the knives on the drum body to be more upright, except for the 4 knives at the rice inlet, which should not be adjusted (or adjusted moderately). This will make the machine produce a less tangled product and cleaner rice grains.
  • Remedy (2): When the rice is tougher, more rice will be carried away with the straw, and with wet rice, the rice will also stick to the straw. Therefore, the operator must press the two levers on the machine towards the threshing side, at the same time install the threshing bars as designed on the top of the machine, and re-tighten the V-belt system to avoid the belt slipping.
  • (These are methods the operator needs to know)
• Instructions on how to convert the rice thresher to thresh soybeans or corn.
  • Dear customers, please note that the Nang Luong continuous rice thresher has an outstanding feature compared to other combine harvesters in that it can be converted to thresh soybeans or corn very effectively. So you should know this to make full use of the machine.
  • Threshing soybeans
    1. Adjust the knives on the drum body as in method Figure 2 for adjusting the machine to work with tough rice.
    2. Soybeans are harvested or cut short, piled up, with yellow pods, not sun-dried, and wilted plants.
    3. When the machine is working, the tangled material separation screen near the engine must be removed.
  • Threshing corn cobs
    • Dear customers, please note that the Nang Luong continuous rice thresher has an outstanding feature compared to other combine harvesters in that it can be converted to thresh corn cobs very effectively.
    • The user of the machine just needs to:
    • Install the corn threshing screen on the top of the machine (after opening the top cover). Adjust the threshing teeth on the drum body to be more upright (1 to 2).
    • Run the machine at the lowest throttle level (to avoid noise).
  • Note:
    • Corn cobs must be dried.
    • When threshing corn cobs, you need to pile them up at the feeding mouth.

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2. COMBINE HARVESTER

a. TECHNICAL TERMS, ABBREVIATIONS

• LHM: Machine Combination, a combination including a power machine and a working machine combined to perform a certain job in production. Machine combinations are widely used in agriculture.
• MGĐLH: Combine Harvester, a type of machine combination used to perform continuous stages in the rice harvesting process such as cutting rice ears, threshing grains, cleaning, and collecting the product.

b. Introduction to the combine harvester in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Introduction
  • The job of “Operating a combine harvester” is a mandatory professional task and a core module of the “Operating a combine harvester” vocational training program at the primary vocational level.
  • The content of “Operating a combine harvester” equips students with knowledge about checking and preparing the machine combination, steps for surveying and checking the field, the machine operation process, and the content of safety implementation when controlling the machine combination at work and moving to different locations. It also trains students in the skill of operating a combine harvester according to the correct process and technical requirements, ensuring productivity and work quality.
• Purpose
  • Knowledge:
    • Be able to present the steps for checking and preparing the machine combination, the steps for surveying and checking the field, the machine operation process, methods for checking, maintaining, and repairing common failures, and the content of safety implementation when controlling the machine combination at work and moving to different locations.
  • Skills:
    • Know how to use disassembly, assembly, and inspection tools and equipment.
    • Operate the combine harvester on the yard, in the field, and move to different locations according to the correct technical process.
  • Attitude:
    • Have a positive attitude and be responsible for ensuring the safety of people and the machine during the practice of driving the machine.
    • Be focused, proactive in operation, alert, and ensure the safety of all related parties. Be able to present the content of the steps for preparing the machine combination.
  • Be able to perform the tasks of checking, caring for, and maintaining after 8-10 hours of work according to technical requirements.
  • Ensure safety.

c. Pre-operation machine check in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Engine Check
  • Check the parts on the engine
    • The engine is the power source that provides energy for all functions on the combine harvester.
    • On the combine harvester, diesel engines are commonly used because of their high thermal efficiency and good overload capacity. In addition, the fuel combustion method of this type of engine does not require a spark plug, so the risk of fire is also reduced.
  • Before each working day, check to ensure that:
    • All parts on the engine must be complete and in good technical condition.
    • The bolts and nuts connecting the parts on the engine must be tightened to the specified torque.
  • The fine fuel filter on the engine of the John Deere R-40 combine harvester. This engine uses 2 filters working in series.
    • The lubricating oil filter on the engine of the John Deere R-40 combine harvester.
    • The filter consists of a metal base fixed to the engine block and a paper filter element assembly with a sheet steel outer casing. The filter element is replaced periodically along with the lubricating oil change for the engine.
    • Engine block
  • Check the coolant level
    • The engine used on the combine harvester is a liquid-cooled type.
    • Nowadays, many engines use specialized coolant to cool and protect the engine better.
    • If specialized coolant is not available, you can use clean water without impurities such as leaves or straw.

• • • To ensure good cooling, the coolant level in the system should be checked daily, and regular checks should be made to detect any coolant leaks in the system.
    • Safety when opening the radiator cap:
      • Do not open the radiator cap when the engine is too hot.
      • In this case, let the engine run at no load for 3-5 minutes to lower the temperature.
      • When opening, only slightly open the radiator cap and wait 5-10 seconds for the pressure to decrease before opening the cap completely.
      • Radiator cap
      • Hot water escapes 3- Radiator cap
  • Check the fuel level in the tank
    • To prevent water vapor condensation in the fuel tank, at the end of each working day, fill the fuel tank on the machine with clean fuel. Be sure to use the correct type of fuel required by the manufacturer.
    • To prevent fire:
      • Do not do things that can cause a fire, such as smoking, using a mobile phone, or turning on/off electrical switches for electrical equipment while refueling the machine.
      • When refueling the tank, if fuel spills outside the tank, wipe up the spilled fuel thoroughly.
      • Check and repair any leaks in the fuel lines and fuel filter daily.
  • Check the hydraulic oil level
    • The oil level in the tank of the hydraulic lifting system should be checked daily.
    • The hydraulic oil level must be as specified for each type of machine.
    • When adding more hydraulic oil, be sure to note:
      • Use the correct type of oil specified by the manufacturer.
      • After use, close the oil tank cap carefully.
      • Always use a funnel with a filter screen whenever adding hydraulic oil.
• Check in the control cabin
  • Check the gear lever
    • For safety, before starting, the main gear lever must be in the neutral position (N).
    • For safety, before starting, the auxiliary gear lever must also be in the neutral position.
  • Check the harvesting and threshing clutch levers
    • Before starting, the harvesting and threshing clutch control levers must both be in the disengaged position.
    • The working positions of the threshing clutch lever of the KUBOTA DC-60 combine harvester.

d. Moving the machine.

• How to start the engine and move on the street
  • Move all adjustment levers to the “0” position (the engine will not start if the harvesting or threshing clutch lever is still in the working position).
  • Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the on position and release your hand when the engine has started.
  • Pull the throttle lever to the highest position (the rabbit position) and start moving forward or backward with the HST gear lever, adjusting the direction with the steering lever.
  • The HST lever can adjust both forward and backward movement and can change the instantaneous velocity vector of the machine depending on the driver’s push.
  • The steering lever adjusts the steering direction according to the driver’s push (left-right) and raises and lowers the cutting header (push up – pull back).
  • The auxiliary gear lever is to adjust the engine operation level to fast (H position) or slow (L position).

• Operating the machine while working in the field
  • Before entering the field, check the ground condition; a field with a subsidence of ≤ 30 cm is acceptable.
  • Attach bags to the two discharge outlets of the grain tank, and instruct the bagger on how to do it. Before the machine starts, sound the horn to notify the two baggers behind to prepare.
  • When the machine is in the field, release the throttle lever to the lowest position (the turtle position), engage the threshing clutch lever first, then engage the harvesting clutch lever, increase the throttle again, and start working, raising and lowering the cutting header with the steering lever.
  • When there is a signal of a rice blockage, stop the machine and engage the rice release lever.
  • When the machine is running, do not let others climb on or off, as it is very dangerous. While working, pay attention to the warning lights; if a light comes on, stop the machine for inspection.

e. Machine operator in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• This part greatly determines the productivity and income of the machine owner. Because the rice harvest season is not long, it is necessary to arrange strong and flexible personnel to take turns serving the machine during operation and moving the machine to different locations. The machine operator must be flexible in handling dry, wet, long, short, tough, and shedding rice with many ways of feeding the rice and be dynamic in the machine adjustment system. Those who move the machine must be coordinated in placing the rice on the table so that the feeder can easily gather the rice, meaning they should not make the piles too large or have too little rice on the table, which will reduce the machine’s operating productivity.

f. Safety when running the machine in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

While working, pay attention to the following points that can easily cause accidents.

• The machine operator must be of working age and in good health according to regulations.
• Must have a machine operation certificate and have undergone OSH training and have a card.
• The operator and the server must have sufficient PPE as regulated.
• Unauthorized persons should not stand near the machine when it is working.
• In case of a problem, the machine must be stopped, inspected, and turned off when repairing or replacing parts, materials, and even when cleaning the machine.
• Regularly check, maintain, and service according to regulations.

g. Safe operation in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Always sit in the operator’s seat when starting the engine or when operating the control levers, and wear neat protective clothing.
• Before starting the engine, check and ensure that the control levers are in the ‘stop’ state.
• To ensure the machine does not tip over when running on a sloping road or damage the hydraulic system when driving on a rough road, reduce speed and drive slowly.
• When entering the field to work, to avoid tipping the machine over, always back the machine down and drive forward when going up. You must check the slope before going up or down, and move up and down very slowly without sudden changes in speed.
• Be extremely vigilant when backing up the machine, looking behind and below to ensure the movement area is clear. When the machine is working, ensure there are no people or other obstacles nearby.
• When harvesting to the end of the row, be careful and proactive in raising the cutting header because the end of the row area often has trees or ditches that can cause damage to the machine.
• To avoid unfortunate accidents, absolutely do not let children get near the machine, even when it is stopped.
• Note: The DC-60 machine is only for harvesting rice and should not be used for other tasks such as cutting grass, cutting corn, etc.

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3. PLOW, HARROW FOR TILLING

a. Pre-operation check in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• To increase the durability of plows and combine harvesters, the machine warm-up process must be ensured before operating with a load, plowing, tilling, or harvesting rice.
• For five minutes after starting the engine, let the engine warm up and let the machine run at no load, as this will help the oil spread evenly to all parts of the engine. If you put the machine under load without warming it up, you will encounter many problems such as engine stalling, sudden engine shutdown, engine cracking, and the machine will wear out prematurely because the oil has not yet fully lubricated the engine.
• In areas with cold temperatures such as Lam Dong, Dak Lak, and the Northern region, difficulty starting the tractor is very common.

b. Important items.

Gearbox oil plays a very important role

• It is a continuous lubricating flow. Therefore, to ensure good oil circulation, it is necessary to have time to warm up the gearbox in low-temperature conditions. This is particularly important for the climate in the central and northern regions when preparing for the winter-spring rice crop.
• The hydraulic system oil is used as gearbox oil.
• In cold weather, the oil will certainly be cold and have increased viscosity.
• This can cause delays in the oil circulation cycle or lower than normal hydraulic pressure for a period of time after starting the engine.
• This can cause malfunctions in the hydraulic system.
• To avoid the above situation, everyone should follow these instructions: Warm up the engine at about 50% of the specified rpm.
• With the tropical climate in Vietnam, when the ambient temperature is above 0°C, the mandatory warm-up time is at least 10 minutes. From 0°C to -10°C, the minimum time is 10-20 minutes.
• According to the standard parameters above, in Vietnam’s agricultural conditions, Vietnamese agricultural machinery should be started and maintained at 50% throttle of the tractor for 10 minutes.
• This will help the tractor operate better and significantly increase its durability.
• Accelerate more gently, the machine will have less smoke, and save more fuel. Engine stalling situations will be limited.
• Starting the tractor will be easier in subsequent work sessions.
• It helps people operate to increase labor productivity many times over and not be tired after a day of working outdoors in the rain or sun because the machine is designed as a ride-on type (the user can easily control it without getting tired legs, and without having to wade in mud), which is very convenient. The machine uses a water-cooled or air-cooled engine, the brake type is an internal expanding ring, friction disc, and engages a set of gears.

Functions of the GN91 tiller

• The GN91 tiller can break up the roots of crops and industrial plants: corn, pineapple, sugarcane, etc.
• The GN91 paddy field tiller specializes in plowing and harrowing land for rice cultivation (dry fields, paddy fields) in the form of milling and chopping stubble. Plowing and harrowing 2-3 times is enough to meet the standard for a transplanting field.
• This tiller can plow fallow fields. It can puddle-plow in both paddy and dry fields.
• It works like a powerful tractor because the machine uses a high-power 15Hp engine. Advantages of the GN91 tiller:
• It is a ride-on tiller (the user can easily control it without getting tired legs, and without having to wade in mud), increasing labor productivity.
• Easy to operate and move on roads and in fields.
• The machine supports towing, so farmers can make full use of the machine’s working capacity.
• High power, high working productivity, high average per worker (3-4 mau/workday).
• The machine is durable and strong; it is a diesel tiller , so it consumes less fuel, saving production costs for farmers.
• The soil milling blade system is sharp, with a large number of blades (18 blades, 24 blades, etc.), a wide milling area, helping to mill faster.
• Appropriate weight, the machine is designed to be compact.
• Has a full set of accessories for each job: milling blades, tilling blades, cage wheels, mudguards for paddy fields, mudguards for dry fields, etc.

Overview of the GN91 Hand Tractor

• A tiller is an effective and indispensable tool for professional gardeners because tillers assist in the work of preparing the soil, one of the stages that consumes a lot of time and money for workers. Tillers have a variety of models and types as well as different power and operating principles, so choosing a gasoline-powered tiller or a diesel-powered tiller depends on the purpose of use. Choosing a suitable tiller will help you save on machine wear and tear costs, save on fuel, and save on machine maintenance and repair costs.

Functions of the GN9 Hand Tractor:

• Plowing and harrowing land for rice cultivation (dry fields, paddy fields) in the form of milling and chopping stubble.
• Plowing and harrowing 2-3 times is enough to meet the standard for a transplanting field.
• Breaking up the roots of crops and industrial plants: corn, pineapple, sugarcane, etc.
• Working like a tractor because the machine uses a high-power engine.
• Plowing and tilling fallow land. Puddle-plowing in both paddy and dry fields.

Advantages of the GN91 Hand Tractor

• Ride-on machine (the user can easily control it without getting tired legs, and without having to wade in mud), increasing labor productivity.
• High power, high working productivity, high average per worker (3-4 mau/workday).
• The machine supports towing, so farmers can make full use of the machine’s working capacity.
• The machine is durable and strong, consumes less fuel, saving production costs for farmers.
• Easy to operate and move on roads and in fields.
• Appropriate weight, the machine is designed to be compact.

Technical Specifications of the GN91 Hand Tractor

• Model: GN91
• Length x Width x Height (mm): 2900 x 980 x 1350
• Weight (Kg): 360
• Load capacity: 1200
• Theoretical speed (Km/h): 85
• Reverse gear ratio: 144.655 : 39.116
• Number of milling blades: 18 blades (9 left + 9 right)
• Tire type: 24 blades (12 left + 12 right)
• Tire pressure (Mpa): 600 – 12
• Min distance to ground (mm): 20N/cm2
• Min turning radius (m): 234
• Clutch type: Friction disc
• Steering mechanism type: Engaging a set of gears
• Brake type: Internal expanding ring type
• V-belt: B1727
• Lubricating oil capacity: 6 liters
• Engine model: S1100A, S1100AN, S1105, S1105N, S1110, S1110N, S1115.

c. Using the tiller safely and effectively

• Follow the tiller user manual provided when purchasing the tiller from the supplier. You must read the user manual carefully before operating and at least know how to operate the machine to ensure safety for the user and avoid damaging the tiller.

For the machine operator:

• Do not operate the machine when your health is not good due to overwork, illness, being drunk, being pregnant, or if you are a child.
• Wear non-slip shoes and a helmet.
• Do not wear clothes that are too loose, and do not wear anything on your body that could get caught in the control levers or rotating parts of the tiller.

Read the user manual carefully before installing the tiller attachment and other accessories

• Use genuine tiller attachments and accessories; do not modify the design of the tiller attachment yourself.
• Perform periodic inspection and maintenance of the tiller.
• During inspection and maintenance, lock the tiller lowering control valve to prevent the tiller from lowering suddenly. At the same time, place a support stand under the slide bar support or the blade shaft.
• Only install and remove the tiller attachment on a flat surface with sufficient light to perform the assembly. Do not let unrelated people stand near the tractor and the tiller attachment.
• Pay attention to the people around you when reversing or operating the tractor with the tiller attachment.
• You must turn off the engine when removing straw or grass from the blade shaft.
• Do not go under, or place your hands or feet under the tiller attachment.
• Do not let children get near the tractor.
• Ensure that the oil is changed on schedule, every 300 hours. If the old oil is milky, the O-ring or the seal of the tiller shaft may be damaged; replace the damaged seal immediately.

Using the tiller correctly to increase the machine’s lifespan

• After the first 10 hours of use, the oil should be changed. Regularly check and maintain the machine so that it operates smoothly and does not overheat.
• When using the machine continuously, you should let it rest to reduce engine overheating. Note that for each type of engine, whether water-cooled or air-cooled, there is a suitable way to use it.

A tiller is an indispensable agricultural tool in agricultural production if you want to increase labor productivity and save effort and costs in the stage of tilling, making beds, and creating furrows, compared to traditional manual methods. The birth of the tiller is a typical testament to the modernization of our country’s agriculture today. It is not only a means to contribute to increasing production but also an environmentally friendly device, contributing to improving the fertility of the soil. When choosing a tiller, you should choose a machine that runs with a smooth, strong engine and a steady running sound.

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4. WATER PUMP

Operating a water pump safely

• Using a water pump is probably not strange to us, but operating and using it correctly and bringing the best effect is not something everyone can do. Today, our technicians would like to introduce you to how to operate a water pump safely.

a. Preparation in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Check the pump to ensure normal operation, check lubricants, for pumps driven by electric motors, prepare sufficient cables and power sources. Protective devices need to be checked to ensure good operation. Each connection pipe must be sealed to ensure leak-free operation.
• Test run the engine: Final check of the alignment of the shaft coupling; Adjust the seals and turn the pump by hand; Determine the continuity when starting, if provided for in the control panel; Check the direction of rotation of the prime mover (the direction of rotation of a 3-phase induction motor can be changed by changing 2 of the terminals); Run at full speed to check the prime mover when disconnected from the pump; Fully open the suction valve (if any); After performing the necessary steps according to the normal starting requirements, the pump test run is done by opening and closing the power source before the pump reaches full speed to check if the motor is rotating correctly.

b. Operation in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Confirm the prime mover is ready to start.
• Confirm the discharge valve is fully closed.
• Confirm the liquid level or pressure at the suction is normal.
• Start and confirm the necessary sealing, lubrication, and cooling.
• Prime with a vacuum pump if installed on the unit.
• Confirm the pump is fully primed.
• Start the prime mover.
• Confirm the discharge pressure reaches the permissible value after running at full speed.
• Open the discharge valve and check the discharge pressure to see if it corresponds to the values within the operating range.

c. Ending the operation process

• Fully close the discharge valve (for axial flow pumps, the discharge valve must be kept fully open).
• Disconnect the power engine.
• Return the prime mover to its original position.
• Open the vacuum breaker valve on the pump if installed in the unit.
• After the pump has completely stopped, stop the sealing, lubrication, and cooling systems.
• Drain all liquid from inside the pump.
• Loosen the seals.
• Apply anti-rust agent to the exposed surfaces of the machine.
• Run the motor heater if installed on the machine to maintain the pump unit’s normal operating capability. The pump unit must be operated after a short period, once a month.

Note: during operation, to ensure quality, we can also take notes so that the next operation is better and to know the health of the pump. You should also note that to ensure the best pump quality as well as stable pump operation, we should choose genuine pump brands such as: Pentax pump, Tsurumi, Ebara, Tohatsu…

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5. PESTICIDE SPRAYER

a. What is a pesticide sprayer

A pesticide sprayer, also known as a pesticide spray tank, is a means to deliver a certain amount of pesticide to crops. This product was researched and developed from traditional machines that were too old. With the advent of this machine line, it helps save time and effort for workers. It also improves work efficiency by up to 10 times compared to traditional lines. For older sprayers, a power source must be added to create pressure, with this pressure, the pesticide is very easy to spray out and more smoothly.

b. Uses and characteristics of pesticide sprayers

• Uses of pesticide sprayers
• The main use of a pesticide sprayer is to spray pesticides to protect crops and promote plant growth.
• In addition to spraying pesticides, the machine is also used to spray lime powder, helping to improve the soil.
• Using a mini pesticide sprayer not only provides pesticides to protect crops but is also very safe for the user, without adversely affecting their health.
• Characteristics of pesticide sprayers
• The machine is designed to be extremely compact and convenient, with the ability to move easily to the required spraying locations.
• The power of the pesticide sprayer is large. More specifically, the machine has many different functions.
• The method of use is extremely simple and easy, with the ability to adjust for continuous spraying according to the user’s requirements.
• The machine is made of super-durable material, has high safety, the material has good leak-proof ability, is resistant to strong impacts, operates extremely smoothly, and saves water.
• Extremely environmentally friendly, because the engine runs on electricity, it does not produce emissions that pollute the environment.

c. SAFE USE OF PESTICIDE SPRAYERS

Pesticides are a type of substance used to combat insects. They include ovicides and larvicides to kill the eggs and larvae of insects. Pesticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry, and households. The use of pesticides is considered one of the main factors leading to the increase in agricultural output in the 20th century. Almost all types of pesticides have the potential to greatly alter ecosystems; many pesticides are toxic to humans; and others accumulate in the food chain. Along with pesticides, people use pesticide sprayers to kill pests.

• Why use a pesticide sprayer
  • The development of pests affects the survival of crops. They destroy crops, causing economic damage to people. Faced with this threat, people have turned to pest control methods. If in the past people used manual methods of catching insects by hand, this method was only temporary and ineffective. Therefore, the pesticide sprayer was born along with pesticides to eradicate the root of pests. The most popular type of sprayer is the OSHIMA OS16 electric pesticide sprayer.

• Safety when using a pesticide sprayer:

• • The person spraying pesticides must be equipped with protective equipment: wear rain gear, gloves, goggles, boots, and a mask to avoid being sprayed with pesticides.
  • Wear the pesticide sprayer tank so that it is balanced; if it is tilted, it will be easy to fall and spill the pesticide.
  • When mixing pesticides, you must pour them carefully through the pump screen. If it spills, it must be wiped clean. Do not throw pesticide containers in the field or in drains or canals, as this will pollute the environment and affect health.
  • When spraying, you should check the pump system and the spray wand to avoid leaks when spraying, as the pesticide can easily be absorbed into the body.
  • After spraying, remove the tank, wash it clean, and store it in a dry place. The person who sprayed must also take a bath after spraying so that the pesticide vapor does not soak into their body.
  • In addition to sprayers, Hai Minh also provides other agricultural machinery products such as chicken beak cutters, pH meters….
  • When using a pesticide sprayer, you must comply with the occupational safety regulations as prescribed. And follow the steps correctly as in the user manual that comes with the machine.

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6. GRASS CUTTER

a. Information about grass cutters

Before learning about how to use a grass cutter to ensure user safety and extend the life of the machine, do you fully understand the grass cutter line? Do you wonder what kind of device this is? What is its structure and classification? Let’s find out more below to get an overview of the grass cutter line that is causing a stir in the market!

• Introduction to the modern grass cutter line
  • Do you know the reason why modern grass cutters were researched and manufactured? It is due to the backwardness and obsolescence of traditional gardening equipment that affects the user’s work productivity.
  • With its birth, it has helped people free up labor in gardening work and save more time and effort than before. It helps users to easily clean up the garden quickly while still ensuring the aesthetic appeal of the garden, in parks, green trees along the road, etc., which traditional tools such as knives, scissors, and hand-cranked machines cannot do.

• Structure of a 2-stroke grass cutter
  • What parts is a grass cutter made of? Let’s learn about the structure of a 2-stroke grass cutter to know more.
  • 2-stroke engine
  • Harness hook
  • Handle
  • Safety lock
  • Throttle adjustment knob
  • On/off switch
  • Throttle trigger
  • Machine shaft
  • Gear head
  • Protective guard
  • Cutting blade
• Classification
  • Currently, there are mainly 3 types sold on the market: cordless grass cutters, rotary grass cutters, and push-type grass cutters.
  • Cordless grass cutter: also known as a handheld grass cutter or mini grass cutter. It has a very compact design, helping users to carry it with them very conveniently. It uses a rechargeable battery, so it is very environmentally friendly.
  • Rotary grass cutter or shoulder-mounted grass cutter. Designed to work for a long time, the shoulder strap is very soft, airy, and has foam padding. In addition, this grass cutter line is very diverse, with many models with different engines such as gasoline, electric, etc.
  • Push-type grass cutter is a type of equipment equipped with wheels to help move very gently while working. The operation is simple, anyone can use it. However, the price of this type is quite high, users need to consider their usage needs before deciding to buy this type of grass cutter.
  • To use a grass cutter safely, in addition to the operating procedure and maintenance process, you also need to pay attention to changing the oil for the machine. If you do not have much experience in changing the oil for a grass cutter, please see more in the article.

b. Standard safe operation procedure for grass cutters

The working principle of a grass cutter often depends on each type and has different points. If we consider the operating procedure of the machine, the overview is considered quite simple. Accordingly, you can follow the detailed instructions on how to use a grass cutter safely below for more useful information!

• Carefully observe the surroundings to see if the machine has any signs of liquid leakage such as gas, oil, gasoline, etc.
• Check if the oil has been filled sufficiently. If the oil level is lower than specified, add more. It will help your machine operate durably and stably.
• Check the gear head, and apply grease to lubricate the shaft.
• Check if the saw blade has been tightened, to avoid it flying off during use and endangering the user. In addition, if the cutting blade shows signs of cracking, chipping, or damage, it should be replaced immediately and not used stubbornly. Because this is the part that often causes the most accidents on the cutter.
• Check if the machine’s fuel is ready for operation.
• Wear full protective gear before starting the machine.
• Look at the bottom of the tank to locate the primer bulb button. You just need to press and release the primer bulb button continuously to pump gasoline into the small tank.
• Move the choke lever to the OFF position.
• Move the throttle lever up 1/3.
• Gently pull the starter a few times, paying attention to pulling with strong force on the last one to start.
• Move the choke lever to the ON position.

Please note that when you first start, you should let the grass cutter run at a low speed. After a few minutes, when the machine is stable, you can increase the speed as you wish. Also, before starting, check and make sure that all connections are in the best condition. Absolutely do not operate when the wires show signs of wear or tearing. This can be dangerous to the user and cause the grass cutter to burn or explode.

c. Some safety rules when operating a grass cutter

The operating procedure for a grass cutter is quite simple, so you just need to follow the detailed instructions to be able to use the machine. However, to ensure safety when operating the machine, you need to remember the following important rules:

• Read the user manual carefully before use or learn more about how to use it. Absolutely do not be subjective and use it for the first time, as this can lead to an accident for you.
• Always have firefighting equipment ready nearby.
• Always be focused during use, do not be negligent or lose vigilance.
• Always wear protective clothing during machine operation. A standard set of protective clothing includes: pants, shirt, hat, goggles, gloves, and boots.
• Do not operate the machine in a greenhouse.
• Do not operate the machine near flammable or explosive materials.
• Clean up hard objects that could cause the cutting blade to chip or fly off before operating the machine.
• Do not let fuel spill out.
• Absolutely do not smoke when mixing or adding fuel to the tank.
• Always check the condition of the machine before operating to ensure that the screws, cutting blade, etc., are fixed.
• Do not add fuel to the tank while the machine is still operating and cutting grass.
• Do not touch the cutting blade until the machine is completely turned off.
• Take a break for about 15-20 minutes between refueling.

Standard grass cutter operation procedure

Currently, grass cutters are widely used for garden care in every family as well as in campuses, workshops, ponds, gardens, etc. Many people still wonder how to use a grass cutter according to the standard. So let’s learn the rules when operating the machine to be safe for the user and at the same time increase the life of the machine.

Notes when using a grass cutter

• Do not use a grass cutter in a high-rise building or a closed room.
• Do not use a grass cutter near a place containing flammable or explosive materials.
• Do not smoke while mixing gasoline with oil or pouring gasoline into the machine.
• Do not let gasoline spill out.
• When using the machine, you need to wear protective clothing to ensure safety.
• Do not let the machine’s blade collide with hard objects during cutting.
• The working area must be at least 1m away from people and the machine to ensure absolute safety.
• Absolutely do not touch the cutting blade when the machine has stopped but has not completely stopped because it is very dangerous and can easily cause accidents.
• Do not turn on the machine when you know it is damaged or the screws are loose. The above principles must be followed to make the work of cutting grass easier and more effective.

Proper and effective grass cutter operation procedure

• The following is the grass cutter operation procedure that users need to know to use the machine correctly and effectively.
• How to install the handle
  • To be able to install the handle, we have to remove the 2 bolts on the clamp bracket, and adjust the 2 clamp brackets so that the distance between them is about 380mm.
  • Then install the handle on the steel bracket, and use your hand to lightly tighten the bolts on the clamp bracket.
  • Adjust the handle so that it is perpendicular to the grass cutter shaft, then loosen the spacer and move the grass cutter.
• Next is to install the grass cutter blade guard and the grass cutter blade
  • First, put the blade guard on the gear head, then place the clamp bracket on the blade cap and use your hand to tighten the 2 bolts. To install the grass cutter blade, install the blade holder on the gear head shaft that holds the blade.
  • You must ensure that the cutting blade is inserted into the hole on the cap cover, which coincides with the hole on detail 2, then install the blade holder on the gear head that holds the blade. You must tighten the blade nut counterclockwise.

Above we have guided you through the standard procedure for operating a grass cutter. Please pay attention to install it correctly and follow the rules when working to achieve high results, long machine life, and safety throughout the use of the machine.

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PART 4: SIMPLE FIRST AID METHODS

1. Stopping Bleeding in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• Cause: due to occupational accidents, traffic accidents, accidents in daily life, etc., sharp objects pierce the soft tissue, broken bones protrude and tear the soft tissue, and blood vessels are torn or severed, leading to bleeding.
• Risk: severe blood loss leads to shock or death.

2. Internal Bleeding in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

Blood from the wound flows into the internal body cavities (abdomen, chest, brain), due to damage to the liver, spleen, lungs, etc., so the direct image of internal bleeding will not be observed. The signs of internal bleeding are:

• Pain in the corresponding injured area on the outside of the skin; Sweating, coldness, pale skin, thirst; Shock due to blood loss;
• Blood may be seen seeping out from natural orifices: nose, mouth, ears, vagina, etc.

3. External Bleeding in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

• When the wound bleeds heavily without foreign objects
  • Avoid direct contact with blood by wearing rubber or nylon gloves or substitute items;
  • Use gauze or a clean cloth to press directly on the two edges of the wound and hold it firmly to stop the bleeding;
  • Apply a pressure bandage directly to the wound; Check the extremity after bandaging.
• When the wound bleeds heavily with many foreign objects
  • Do not remove the foreign object from the wound;
  • Wear gloves;
  • Press firmly on the two edges of the wound;
  • Insert bandages or gauze around the foreign object and bandage it in place (do not bandage over the foreign object);
  • Quickly transport the victim to the nearest medical facility;
  • Help the victim lie down, keep them warm to prevent shock, and elevate the injured limb to reduce blood flow to the wounds;
  • If blood still seeps through the bandage, apply another bandage on top.
• Nosebleed
  • Help the victim sit down, with their head tilted forward.
  • Use two fingers to gently pinch both sides of the nose for about 10 minutes, and advise the victim to breathe through their mouth.
  • If the bleeding continues after 10 minutes, transport the victim to a medical facility.
• Points to remember when stopping bleeding for a victim
  • You must wear gloves when giving first aid to the victim;
  • Do not arbitrarily remove foreign objects from the wound;
  • Elevate the legs and arms when there is a wound and keep warm to prevent shock from severe bleeding;
  • Do not give the victim water to drink when they are bleeding;
  • Check the fingertips/toes after applying a pressure bandage.

4. First Aid for Electric Shock in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

If someone is unfortunately electrocuted, we perform the following first aid steps within 6 minutes to maintain the victim’s life:

• Step 1. Separate the victim from the power source.
  • By cutting off protective devices such as cutting the circuit breaker, fuse, unplugging the plug, switching off the CB, circuit breaker, etc. Use an insulating object such as a dry bamboo or wooden stick to separate the victim from the power source. (Note that the rescuer must always be in a well-insulated position).
• Step 2: First aid method.
  • Take the victim to a well-ventilated area.
  • Place the victim on their back on a hard surface, with their head slightly lowered and tilted back.
• Step 3: Check for heartbeat and breathing by listening, feeling, looking, and sensing for 10 seconds.
  • If the heart and lungs are functioning normally, turn the victim to the recovery position.
  • If there is cardiac arrest and cessation of breathing, move on to the next step.
• Step 4: Put your hand into the victim’s mouth to remove phlegm, saliva, and foreign objects to clear the airway.
• Step 5 – “Rescue breathing”: Perform 30 chest compressions, then give 2 breaths.
  • Do 5 continuous cycles and check again once (CPR).
  • Compression force: from 30 – 40 kg;
  • Depth: from 3 – 4 cm (or 1/3 of the chest depth).
  • Compression location: lower half of the sternum.

Note:

• Perform 30 chest compressions then give 2 breaths, do 5 cycles, and check once.
• If there is no support, perform chest compressions at about 100 times/minute.
• Continue doing this until the victim regains consciousness or there is help from a doctor or professional department, then hand over.
• In reality, whether the victim is saved or not depends a lot on timely first aid. The implementation of first aid methods must be carried out continuously and persistently; this is a task that needs to be carried out immediately. In reality, there have been a few cases of electric shock where the victim was still conscious, but due to a lack of knowledge of the first aid methods presented above, it ultimately led to death.

5. First Aid for Burns in the safety documentation for operating agricultural machinery

a) Minor burns without blistering: First-degree burn – the skin is red, painful, and uncomfortable

• Treatment: immediately immerse the burned skin in cool water or use a clean cloth soaked in cool water to apply to the burned skin for about 10-15 minutes, then take them to a medical facility.

b) Burns with blistering: Second-degree burn – the skin has blisters, is moist, red, and painful

• Treatment: Do not puncture the blisters, place a clean cloth on the burned area, and apply a cold compress to reduce pain. Wash the burn with boiled and cooled water, pat it dry, cover the burn with clean gauze, do not apply any kind of oil or grease, and transport to the nearest medical facility.

c) Deep burns: Third-degree burn – Deep burns that expose red flesh

• Treatment: use clean gauze to cover the burned skin, bandage gently, give the victim plenty of water mixed with salt, preferably ORESOL. Immediately transport the victim to the hospital.

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Part 5: Further Reference

1. Group 3 Safety Training and Certification Service

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2. Group 3 Occupational Safety Test

• Group 3 Occupational Safety Multiple Choice Test

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3. Price List for Occupational Safety Training Services

• See details