TRACTOR Safety Week got under way on Monday, May 25th. It’s really important to remind ourselves of the potential risks involved when working on our equine farms. In the last nine years, vehicles were involved in 41% of fatal farm workplace accidents. Of the 73 farm-related deaths, 52% involved tractors.

Power take-off (PTO) shafts are the power source for many machines that are attached to and powered by tractors, they are also the cause of many farm accidents each year. PTOs can rotate at speeds up to 1000rpm. Unguarded PTOs may cause serious injury. Correct guarding is essential, as it could save your life.