3 - SAFETY/DECALS
13
FIRE PREVENTION
Fire Sources
The possibility of accidental fires is ever present
during the harvest. The three ingredients needed for
a fire - combustible materials, oxygen and a potential
source of ignition - are always present during the
harvesting process.
Your best defense against potential fires on your
machine is to know how to minimize the potential
through proper adjustment, operation, maintenance
and cleaning of the machine. This section will provide
information on operating practices to minimize the
potential start of a fire.
Good Management Practices During Machine Operation
Stop Machine Immediately if a Foreign
Object Enters the Machine
Nearly every field contains various foreign objects
(rocks, lost machine parts, irrigation pipe, etc.) that
can enter a machine. This can cause friction ignition
of fire if the machine is not stopped immediately.
After the obstruction has been cleared, check and
thoroughly clean the areas before resuming harvest:
Stay Alert to any Noises That May
Indicate Interference
Correct any problems immediately. Be sure all
operators and ground crew are alert to potential
problems.
Keep the Chassis and Engine
Compartment Clean
Clean all debris and trash build-up from around the
engine compartment and rotary air screen.
Excessive trash accumulation makes an accidental
machine fire much harder to control.
Check for Fuel or Hydraulic Fluid Leaks
Correct any fuel or hydraulic fluid leaks immediately.
Clean the machine thoroughly after any hydraulic
fluid or fuel leaks or spills. Residual hydraulic fluid or
fuel mixed with debris and trash creates a very
combustible mixture. This can make an accidental
fire much harder to control.
Cigarette/Cigar Smoking
DO NOT smoke around machine or in the field. If you
do smoke, you MUST confine this practice to inside
the cab with the door and window both closed tightly.
Extinguish any smoking materials completely before
you open the door to get out of the cab.
Be Alert
If you are constantly alert, you will be in a better
position to handle a fire if one occurs. Frequently
check your rear-view mirrors and immediately
recognize the unmistakable odor of burning debris or
trash.
What to Do in the Event of a Fire
1. Above all, Do Not Panic. Alert monitoring, along
with good management practices, will PREVENT
most fires, but follow the sequence below if a fire
should occur.
2. Stop the machine in a safe location, turn off the
engine, and remove the key.
3. Immediately stand by with fire extinguishers
while completely inspecting the chassis and
Header to determine and correct the source of
the fire.
4. Finally, completely inspect the machine to make
sure there is no smoldering debris or trash
remaining anywhere on the machine.
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