ACRE Safety Thought #05

A Power Take-off Shaft or PTO is the mechanical device that transfers power from a tractor to an implement with a rotating shaft. If you use a tractor with a PTO, it is critical that you and all of your personnel understand the danger of PTO entanglement. The shaft spins at either 540 or 1000 rounds per minute and can entangle loose clothing rather rapidly. Once clothing becomes entangled, then the human body can rapidly be caught and death or serious injury will follow. For safety all PTO shafts are required to be shielded as a preliminary precaution. For safety sakes it is critical to avoid contact with a rotating PTO. Never step over a shaft as a short cut, so please walk around. Never wear loose clothing near a PTO shaft. Be trained on the identification of a PTO shaft and practice safety. Plan, train, and work safe at the ACRE. Thanks. Jim