2.3. Safety Rules

Modern tractors and automobiles are designed for safe operation, but to prevent accidents in operating them, one must know and observe without fail the following basic safety rules.

Only specially trained persons not under 18 years of age and carrying appropriate certificates of competence may be allowed to drive a tractor or an automobile. Unauthorized persons must not be permitted to start the engine of a tractor or an automobile and operate the machine. It is impermissible to operate a tractor or an automobile with faulty brakes, steering mechanism or running gear. The clothing worn by the driver should be fairly tight fitting and belted. Loose jackets, shirts or sleeves should not be permitted because of the danger of getting into moving parts. A tractor or an automobile should be provided with a first-aid kit for use in case of accident.

Before starting the engine, make sure that the gear shift lever is in neutral. Before starting away from rest, take a look around, switch on the corresponding turn signal, and then smoothly start driving. When stopping a wheeled tractor or an automobile, select a suitable parking spot in advance, reduce the running speed so as to reach the spot by coasting, and apply the brakes only to fully stop the vehicle. When stopping on a roadway in dark hours, switch on the marker (parking) lights; pull off the roadway whenever possible. In emergency braking, consider the condition of the road and if the pavement is slippery, brake with the engine without disengaging the clutch in order to avoid skidding until the speed has dropped sufficiently low and only then apply the brakes and disengage the clutch.

In each particular case, the driving speed must conform to the current situation on the road, driver's experience, traffic density, and road conditions. As the road conditions worsen, the driving speed must be reduced.

If the tractor or automobile is equipped with a pneumatic (compressed air) brake system, do not shut the engine dead off when driving downhill, for the store of compressed air in the brake reservoirs is good for a few braking actions only.

While driving a tractor or an automobile, the driver experiences static load stresses that depend on the position of his trunk and limbs and eventually cause physical fatigue. The driver's posture in the cab should be natural, free from tension. On the other hand, too “relaxed” a seat and careless holding of the steering wheel should not be allowed, for in this case the driver's attention becomes dull so that he cannot react quickly enough to perform the necessary maneuvers should the need arise.

Railway tracks should be crossed in low gear and where permitted only. It is prohibited to drive over bridges and corduroy roads without checking their load capacity.

Special care should be exercised when operating on hillsides, because the tractor or automobile may overturn if it strikes some irregularity.

When driving from one field to another, avoid running over bushes and tall grass. Switch on the headlights when operating at night or in dense fog. Do not operate on steep hillsides or mountainous plots in dark hours. It is prohibited to rest in heaps of hay or straw, as well as in a furrow or grass where tractor-operated implements are at work.

When stopping a tractor or an automobile for any prolonged period of time, shut off the engine, make sure that the machine cannot coast, and lower the mounted agricultural implements.

Tractor and automobile drivers must know and strictly adhere to the traffic regulations.

SPECIAL SAFETY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN WHEN OPERATING TRACTORS

Before starting work, inspect the mounted implement operated by the tractor. The hitch must be in good working order. The power takeoff linkage between the tractor and the PTO-driven machine or implement must be guarded by a metal shield. Whenever the power take-off shaft is not used, its free end must be protected by a guard.

To avoid premature ignition, do not start the starting engine when it is overheated. The starting rope must be strong and dry and must have at one of its ends a wooden handle 20 mm in diameter and 50 to 70 mm long. The rope should be passed between the middle and the ring finger. It is prohibited to crank the starting engine flywheel by hand without disconnecting the magneto wire from the spark plug.

Do not make any adjustments on the tractor or on any machine carried or towed by the tractor while the engine is running. It is prohibited to be under the tractor or the machine carried or towed by it when the engine is running. Before climbing into the tractor cab, clean your footwear from dirt so that your feet may not slip on the cab floor and control pedals.

Do not throw into gear if there are people in the way or between the tractor and the machine towed by it. Before starting away from rest, warn the operators seating on the drawn machine or implement. When attaching an implement, approach it slowly in reverse and be prepared to stop the tractor at any moment.

Never enter the space between the draft links when attaching an implement to the tractor hitch; place the hydraulic control lever into the floating position to complete the attachment. Before lifting or lowering a mounted implement and also before rounding a turn, make sure that there is no danger of hitting somebody. When stopping for a long period of time, do not leave the mounted implement in the lifted position.

In belt work, all pulleys and belts must be guarded by protective shields and screens. Never force a belt on or off a revolving pulley. Do not inspect a PTO-driven machine without disengaging the power takeoff shaft. To avoid the drawn machine or trailer running into the tractor, use only rigid towing attachments.

Never ride or permit others to ride on the mounted implement or drawbar of the tractor. Do not dismount from the tractor or mount it, or else move from the tractor onto the drawn machine, while the tractor is in motion.

During transport operations observe the following additional rules. Set the tractor wheel track at no less than 1600 mm. Check and if necessary adjust the brakes so as to make them operate simultaneously and interlock the brake pedals. Use only trailers equipped with brakes. Never carry people in a trailer. Always keep the tractor in gear when going with a trailer downhill.

FIRE PREVENTION RULES

The following are the basic rules to be observed in order to prevent the outbreak of fire. Do not smoke or start a wood fire near refueling points and never use naked flame when checking for the presence of fuel in drums and tanks. Use cotton waste to remove spilled oil and fuel from the surface of the tractor or automobile and keep oil-soaked waste in lidded metal boxes.

Periodically check the condition of electrical equipment and wiring, for a spark may be the cause of fire. If wiring should catch fire as a result of a short circuit, immediately switch off loads (using equipment) or disconnect the wiring and then fight the fire as usual.

It is prohibited to come close to a wood fire while wearing oil-soaked clothing, use naked flame to preheat the engine in cold weather, unscrew the plugs of gasoline drams by striking blows against the plugs with metal objects.

During harvesting and threshing, equip the exhaust pipe of your tractor with a spark arrester and check its condition every three days; remove carbon deposit from the exhaust pipe and muffler. Every tractor and automobile must be provided with a fire extinguisher.

Do not refuel your tractor or automobile during a thunderstorm. Do not store fuel and lubricants near heaps of hay, straw, or unthreshed grain, or else directly in grain fields.

If fire breaks out, immediately cover the flames up with clothing free from oil stains, or a piece of canvas or felt, extinguish them with water, or blanket them with earth or sand. If petroleum products catch fire, put it out with a fire extinguisher, blanket it with earth or sand, or cover the flames with a piece of canvas or felt, but never use water.