Safety Tips for Operating Balers

When you’re working with heavy equipment, you have to always prioritize safety. These are tough and rugged machines that can easily cause damage, injury or worse if people get careless around them. Equipment like balers are an asset for owners but they also come with responsibility. As your leading baler dealer, PrairieLand Partners has compiled this list of precautions you should take to ensure everyone stays safe. Get in touch with our friendly sales staff if you’re looking for balers for sale in Kansas!

Train the Operators

It is imperative that anyone operating any heavy machinery should know as much about the machine as possible. The operator should be familiar with all the controls and processes of the baler so they can use it optimally and safely. Operator training is a must even if you’re upgrading your machine because sometimes simple changes, like changes in the placement of the controls, can throw off the smooth operation of a machine. 

Regular Inspections

Part of working safely with a baler involves ensuring the machine is in proper working order. Conduct inspections periodically to see if all parts are undamaged and good to go. Tackle issues like rust, leaks, electrical repairs, etc. as soon as you spot them as they can greatly reduce the safety of your worksite. Make sure you follow maintenance schedules. It is also important to walk around the machine and run tests before you get down to work. 

Machine Guarding

According to OSHA, the rotating parts and points of operation of machines like balers should be properly guarded before using them. For vertical balers, this means working gates that have to be manually closed and doors should have side mounts as well as slow-release mechanisms. For horizontal balers, there should be guards over the top of the ram and around tier components. Also, feed chutes should be high so operators can’t reach the shear knives. 

Lockout/Tagout Procedures

When a baler is jammed, the ram motion ceases but the machine is still operational. If you have to unjam the baler, power it off and follow OSHA’s lockout/tagout procedures. These steps involve shutting down, isolating, blocking and securing power to the machine. One person should be in charge of keeping and moving lockout/tagout devices so they’re easy to find when needed. You should also let the crew know when these devices are in place and when they’re removed. 

Warning Labels

All the warning labels on your baler should be clear and visible at all times. If you’ve bought a used machine or have an old baler model, it might not have any labels on it. Sometimes owners carelessly paint over these signs. If that’s the case with your unit, you’ll have to check the owner’s manual to see where the warning labels were placed and replace them. These should include pinch points, under age, high voltage, automatic operation and maximum operating loads. 

Removal & Storage

You have to prioritize safety even after the baler has done its job. Remember that bales are large and heavy after everything has been compacted together. All operators have to know how to properly move and store the bales. One rule to follow when stacking them is keeping the height less than three times the base dimension. Make sure to check the quality of the bales before stacking because if they’re not well compacted, the stack can topple over anytime. 

Keeping safety your primary concern can greatly help keep everyone safe. The operator and the crew should have a good communication system and stay aware of where everyone is when working with heavy equipment. For more tips or if you’re looking for balers for sale, get in touch with us at PrairieLand Partners and we’ll show you what we have in stock! We’re proud to be the preferred baler dealer in Kansas!