Safe Stop

The use of machinery, especially ride-on machines and tractors, presents a potential high risk of injury to its user, especially due to often many moving parts on a machine and any attachments it may be using.

Before using any machinery, you must have had adequate training, be able to use it safely and also must have carried out pre-start checks to ensure it is in a suitable condition to use. You also need to understand how and why to stop the machine safely, hence it being called ‘Safe Stop’. Carrying out a safe stop will be undertaken before the operator leaves the driver’s seat or operating position; when a person or stray animal approaches the machinery (especially if they enter within the designated safe working zone for the machine), and also before any adjustment or maintenance work takes place.

There are four steps to take after the machine has been brought to a halt:

1. Put the handbrake / parking brake on so that the machine is stable and not liable to move.

2. Put all the controls into neutral (unless otherwise stated in the manufacturer’s operator’s manual).

3. Turn off the engine or power unit.

4. Remove the key from the ignition and put it in a safe and secure place. At the end of the day make sure the key is safely stored in locked cabinet.