Some agricultural equipment is fitted with hydraulic systems, including:
- Loaders, telehandlers, forklifts
- Combine, potato and beet harvesters
- Trailers, bale handling equipment and box fillers
- Firewood processors, log splitters and post drivers
Injection injury often results from a failure of a component in the mechanical system. This can result in the equipment remaining in use and pressurised whilst leaking fluid.
Anyone maintaining mechanical plant should inspect the integrity and security of grease nipples and pipe work adapters used as part of track tensioning systems. This should take place at routine service intervals and before attempting to carry out vehicle track tensioning at any time.
Where replacement or maintenance takes place on a pressurised system, fittings should be matched and compatible as per the original equipment manufacturers specification. Verification of such replacement should be regarded as a pressure test and appropriate precautions taken.
Personnel should be familiar with the steps to take, if injection injury occurs, particularly the need to seek immediate professional medical treatment.
More information can be found here:http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/hydraulic-injection-injury.htm