RISK PROFILE IN THE SECTOR: FARM CONTRACTORS

FLOW CHART

PROCESSES OF THE SECTOR

Use of farm machinery under contract in cereal crops in plain districts

The flow chart, on the basis of operational order, shows the main operations for the preparation of the land and care of cereal crops that are most representative of the Lodi farm district.

However, it should be pointed out that with regard to contracting enterprises this production cycle must be interpreted as applying to each enterprise and not as the operational flow of work conducted to achieve a product; it is the sum total of separate processes, the seasons of which depend on the crop cycle, while the frequency depends on the orders received on the machine stock available.

 
 
1. SECTOR  : Farm contractors 
2. ISTAT CODES : 01411
3. ISPESL CODE : 
 
SURVEY ZONE
 
4. NATIONAL : 
5. REGIONAL : 
6. PROVINCIAL : Lodi
7. USL : 
8. YEAR OF SURVEY : 1997
 
9. NUMBER OF WORKERS
 9A. EMPLOYEES : 
  9B. WORKERS : 94 men 
 
10. N. ENTERPRISES : 30
 
11. SURVEY FACILITIES : IPATSLL Service USL Lodi
 
12. REFEREE
 
 QUALIFICATION : Person in charge of IPATSLL Service, Lodi USL 
 NAME : Eugenio
 SURNAME : Ariano
 Address : Piazza Ospitale 10
 Postal code : 26900
 City : Lodi
 Province : Lodi
 TEL : 0371448491
 FAX : 0371448494
 AND-MAIL : asl.lodi.serv1@pmp.it
 
13. ACCIDENTS: TOTAL 20 OF WHICH 0 FATAL
 
14. OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
 

Name	N. CASES	INAIL CODE
Deafness due to noise III degree	1	44

NOTE: The accidents refer to the period 1993-1998. The research on occupational pathologies is still under way.

Use of farm machinery under contract in cereal crops in plain districts

Photographic documentation attached

Contracting in cereal crops in plain districts

2. SECTOR DOCUMENT

Introduction

In farming enterprises some types of work, and sometimes all the farm work, is being assigned increasingly to enterprises specialised in agricultural mechanisation, better known as contracting enterprises. Of course, there is also the intermediate situation of farmers who cultivate their own land and also work as contractors for third parties.

Even when there are no formal contracts, this is contracting work in the full sense of the term, widespread in the plains of the Po Valley and linked to business criteria depending the size of the enterprise, the growing need for reliability and accuracy in doing the work, the increase of power of the farm machinery and economies of scale that may justify its use.

Some data:

The total number of farm enterprises using third party machinery (data: 4^th ISTAT Farm Census) is 1,662,085; of these 984,000, for a total of nearly 3,400,000 working days, are covered by professional contractors.

Of the 726,000 enterprises for which machinery of other farming enterprises is used, just under 600,000 are concentrated in the arable land area of up to 5 hectares.

WHICH ENTERPRISES UTILISE CONTRACTING

Distribution of enterprises according to area	Total	Machines supplied by
		Other farm enterprises	Consortiums	Agro-mechanical Enterprises
Without arable land utilised	4.658	2,535	33	2,137
Less than 1 hectare	551,098	271,285	5,340	289,021
1 - 2	328,060	148,836	4,690	191,466
2 - 3	186,471	81,868	3,669	112,975
3 - 5	203,465	84,819	5,545	128,036
5 - 10	198,259	74.574	8,113	130,821
10 - 20	110,754	37,057	6,177	75,557
20 - 30	34,323	11,250	1,872	23,444
30 - 50	24,427	7,902	1,289	16,713
50 - 100	14,386	4.696	608	9,907
100 and over	6,184	1,808	302	4,402
TOTAL	1,662,085	726,630	37,638	984,479

HOW MANY ENTERPRISES USE CONTRACTING

Forms of management	Total	Machines supplied by
		Other farm enterprises	Consortiums	Farm mechanisation enterprises
Direct management by farmer	1,568,988	686,709	35,481	927,549
With family labour only	1,223,601	527,143	29,359	732,549
With mainly family labour	233,379	108,614	4,683	130,608
With mainly non-family labour	112,008	50,952	1,439	64,392
Management with employees and/or partners	84,442	36,502	1,874	50,957
TOTAL	1,662,085	726,630	37,638	984,479

The data available on the national machines stock (source: ISTAT 4^th agricultural census) is quite indicative. The following table shows which machines are used in all the farming enterprises, which ones only in the large enterprises, which ones mainly outside the farming enterprises (farm mechanisation enterprises), and compares the national with the provincial situation.

Year 1990	User enterprises	Machines owned by farming enterprises	Total machines	ratio owned/tot	ratio machines owned/ent. %	User enterprises Prov. Lodi	Machines owned Prov. Lodi	ratio owned/ent.% Prov. Lodi
Combine harvesters	915,820	29,104	46,985	0.62	3.18%	1,704	152	8.92%
Tractors	185,9014	1,332,813	1,429,756	0,93	71.69%	2,198	5,396	24.50%
25 Kw	348,369	251,282			72.13%
25-40 Kw	657,100	408,899			62.23%
40-60 Kw	815,481	471,271			57.79%
60-80 Kw	334997	140423			41.92%
80 Kw	179,443	60,368			33.64%
Machines for beets	58,745	4,841			8.24%
Equipment for pesticides	841,097	547,980			65.15%	1,702	1,283	75.38%
Machines for fertilising	542,867	296,101			54.54%

Over 40% of the combine harvester stock is not owned by the farming enterprises, compared to 7% of the tractors.

A total of 72% of the tractors on the national level is owned by the enterprises that use them; the average data actually conceals large differences according to the type of enterprise and of the geographical areas. In the Province of Lodi, where the sector study was conducted, a farming area mainly characterised by large enterprises, the average is 2.5 tractors per enterprise.

In any case the most important aspect is the following: the quota owned by the user farming enterprises decreases with the increase of power.

Similar considerations apply for the machines for pesticides.

The following table shows the age of the machine stock owned by the farming enterprises by main farm machinery (ISTAT, 1990 Census).

Year 1990	Machines owned	10 years	10 years / total %
Tractors	1,332,813	485,477	36.42%
25 Kw	251,282	63,173	25.14%
25-40 Kw	408,899	110,003	26.90%
40-60 Kw	471,271	203,772	43.24%
60-80 Kw	140,423	72,374	51.54%
80 Kw	60,368	36,155	59.89%
Motor cultivators	1,498,679	605,943	40.43%
Equip. for pesticides	547,980	230,624	42.09%
Machines for fertilising	296,101	116,486	39.34%
Combine harvesters	29,104	10,852	37.29%
Reaper-shredders	61,877	24,522	39.63%
Hayrackers	145,324	56,544	38.91%

Almost 2/3 of the tractors are over 10 years old; similar figures apply to other types of machines. Actually much of the machine stock is old; it should be pointed out however that the age of the tractors is inversely proportional to the power.

Two concepts emerge:

1. The machines with low power, and low cost, are present and owned in all the farming enterprises; this is the level for dealing with the problem on an absolutely general basis. On the other hand he large machines are located above all in the contracting enterprises and in the large enterprises. The safety of these machines can and must be handled with plans targeted to these enterprises.

2. The average age of the machines, in particular for the tractors, is inversely proportional to the power. Consequently, the small enterprises, with less economic capacity, contain the oldest part of the machine stock.

Sizes and role of the contracting

Contracting tends to be the sector using the most modern technology and machines, and thus as an area for verification of the results obtainable in terms of safety and occupational health.

The type of work organisation, similar to industry, makes it easier to formulate hypotheses and estimates of exposure to risk factors and thus to define risk expectations and programmes for intervention.

Seasonal labour is widespread and linked with the need for greater availability of manpower in the crucial moments of the farming year.

With regard to risk analysis, the sector has the function of sentinel of the risks of farm machinery and of the specific market trends.

Contracting in the province of Lodi

The main type of farm contracting is during some processes, generally processes requiring machines with high cost and power; frequently the management of the entire production cycle is agreed for the entire farm year.

The farming activities most concerned here are the ones involving the phases of harvest (threshing, shredding); to a lesser but significant degree, however the processes of preparation of the land, cleaning of channels, fertilising, sowing and herbicide use are also involved.

In the Province of Lodi there are 92 enterprises working partially or exclusively on a contracting basis (source: Provincial STAP, June 1998); there were 1,549 farming enterprises in business on the same date.

30 enterprises, among the larges, are associated in the APIMA (Provincial Association for Farm Mechanisation) which collaborated in conducting the survey.

Inspections were made at all 30 member enterprises during the 2-year period; in the context of the same survey, in order to better understand the situations by comparisons, 20 farming enterprises practising contracting were visited, as well as some businesses for the sale and repair of farm machinery.

In spring 1998 the 30 APIMA enterprises were asked for information and to send documentation, in particular:

· copy of the risk assessment document,

· data regarding accidents and occupational diseases,

· copy of the health protocol and health report.

For all the enterprises, documentation updated to 1997 was obtained, and when available, a copy of the of risk assessment document (14 enterprises). The other enterprises, individual firms, are not subject to the requirements of Leg. Decree 626/94.

The main processes carried out 1997 farming year in province of Lodi were as follows; as we can see harvest activities are highly important.

Operation	hours worked	Ha
Ploughing, Harrowing, Milling		6,327
Levelling	2,203
Cleaning channels and Irrigation	3,716
Sowing and herbicide use		5,481
Fertilising		445
Shredding, Threshing		16,283
Transport and Silage	1,760

Company size

Individual firms	companies without employees	enterprises with employees	of which with 10 employees
11	3	16	3

number of workers

owners (including partners and family members) 44

employees 37

seasonal 12

The processes

All the farming operations described in the flow chart, except for harvest and in some cases application of herbicides, are conducted with operating machines combined with tractors of different power according to the type of process. For the primary and complementary processes, requiring a high tractor power, high power double traction tractors are used (over 100 kW), while for operations of sowing, fertilising and herbicide use less powerful tractors are used (under 75 kW).

Some of these operations can be combined, taking into account that the machines and/or substances used are similar, with common main occupational risks.

Besides these operations there are activities connected with the storage and maintenance of the machines; due to the characteristics of the sector related to seasonal cycles, these aspects are an entire work phase.

We thus obtain three processes distinguished by risk categories:

Process	Operation	Risks
Working the land and cultivation	Ploughing, Harrowing Milling Levelling Cleaning channels	Accidents from the use of high power tractors, Physical risks (noise, vibrations) Chemical risks (dust) Other risks
	Sowing and herbicide use	Accidents from the use of tractor, Physical risks (noise, vibrations) Chemical risks (dust, pesticide centres)
	Irrigation	Accidents, Physical risks (noise) Other risks
	Fertilising	Accidents from the use of tractor, Physical risks (noise, vibrations) Chemical risks (dust, fertilisers)
Harvest, transport and silage	Shredding Threshing Transport and Silage	Accidents from the use of machines for harvest, Physical risks (noise, vibrations) Chemical risks (dust)
Maintenance and storage	Ordinary and extraordinary machine maintenance machines Depot management	Risks structural defects, Risks for safety, Chemical risks (mineral oil, welding fumes, ...) Physical risks (noise)

Normally there is no subdivision of duties on the basis of the processes; everyone, to a greater or lesser extent, carries out the various processes over the year. Partial exceptions to this are seasonal workers for the harvest operations and the presence of mechanics in the larger enterprises.

CHAPTER 3.4 EXPECTED HARM IN THE SECTOR

INTRODUCTION

It is useful to have some elements for comparison on the basis of the accident situation and occupational pathology in agriculture, since, though with the differences linked to the different prevalence of activities, it is the closest sector.

The accident situation in agriculture

INAIL data for 1992-1995 show a significant trend towards reduction; nevertheless frequency rate (cases/hours worked x 1,000,000) is considerably higher than in industry and crafts (52.6 compared to 34.6 in 1994), with values lower only in building.

	year 1992	year 1993	year 1994	year 1995	year 1996
Total accidents	234,137	196,551	137,084	118,312	108,504
of which with permanent consequences	14,263	9650	6629	4999	5671
of which fatal	349	235	133	127	137

In the years examined there was a considerable reduction of the hours worked, but a greater proportional fall of the frequency rate (n° accidents / hours worked x 1,000,000).

Probably the data underestimate the real situation; a sign of this phenomenon is that frequency rate varies considerably in the various zones of Italy (INAIL data 1994):

The main causes are linked to the preparation of the land, mechanical and the phases of harvest and transformation of products; about 20%, however, are linked with animal breeding.

The material agent

In 1996 first 5 material agents, alone responsible for 41.5% of total accidents were in order:

Land, Tractor, Cattle, Floor, Ladder

36% of fatal accidents are linked to tractors alone. This requires a careful policy of intervention on the machine stock, equipment and fixed company plant.

Occupational diseases

INAIL data on reporting occupational diseases in agriculture show significant reduction over recent years; in particular, however, for occupational diseases, the pathologies almost always involve long or very long latency, with no identifiable relation with the documented situation of risk reduction.

The drastic reduction of reports for pneumonia-related pathologies (item 21) and for diseases not included in tables (these items account totally for 95% in 1992, for 93% in 1993 and for 73% in 1994) probably linked to the very low quota of acknowledgement with indemnity.

Type of disease	Reports 1992	Definitions with indemnity	Reports 1993	Definitions with indemnity	Reports 1994	Definitions with indemnity
O.D. from pesticides	83	13	77	16	93	12
Asthma and allergic alveolitis	5	0	13	1	137	22
O.D. due to noise/vibrations	4	0	28	1	100	12
Other pathologies in tables	29	6	21	3	37	8
Pneumonia ...	1452	144	879	70	330	14
Diseases not in tables	1013	16	871	30	683	17
TOTAL	2586	179	1889	121	1380	85

In recent years there has been a growth in reports of disease due to noise, partially acknowledging a problem underestimated up to now, and that in the contracting sector is highly important. There have been constant and always few reports of O.D. from pesticides.

The farm contractor sector

The accident trend

N° accidents in 30 enterprises in the period 1993-1998:

N° accidents days lost average duration occurrence rate

20 1109 55.5 3.68%

getting on/off machine	maintenance/ workshop	tools and machines	land	not specified
6	7	3	2	2
391	429	150	127	12

The frequency rate could not be reconstructed since the number of hours worked was not available. Occurrence seems lower than in the farming sector. In this regard the INAIL data for 1994 and 1995 for the farming sector in the Province of Lodi show respectively 412 and 435 accidents; this can probably be explained by the use of average well maintained machines and with greater specialisation of personnel.

Unlike in agriculture, maintenance activities seem to account for a significant percentage of accidents.

Health monitoring and occupational pathologies

Health monitoring for checking occupational risks (X-ray checks, routine blood analysis, audiometry, spirometry, medical check-up) currently under way on the basis of the protocol defined by the specialised physician.

There follow the first results with regard to harm due to noise; the assessment of possible harm to the spinal column linked with handling of loads is currently under way.

Risks and harm due to noise

Starting from annual working hours estimated at about 2000 hours for full-time employees, an average work rate has been reconstructed involving 15% in the use of machines for harvesting produce (shredders and combine harvesters); the remaining time is 60% n distributed in the use of tractors and 25% in maintenance of machines.

The study regarded exposure of a seasonal worker for driving combine harvesters and shredders, estimating work of about 580 hours/year for harvest campaigns.

For both types of workers there was an exposure of between 80 and 85 dB(A).

The first audiometric results on the part of the population involved shows a significant presence of lesions due to noise.

Deafness due to noise I degree 7

Deafness due to noise II degree 1

Deafness due to noise III degree 1

Deafness with presence of components due to noise 3

Normal 18

Deafness not due to noise 2

Exposure a noise showed precedents in other professions in two cases only.

There is obviously a relationship between lesions due to noise or mixed, seniority of exposure and age of the persons:

	Normal + other	Deafness due to noise + mixed
seniority =10	8	1
seniority 10	12	11
age = 40	15	4
age 40	5	8

None of the persons with hearing lesions show positive anamnesis for pharmaceuticals, pathologies or noisy hobbies.

Chapter 3.5 Measures

No particular plant solutions were provided. The technical solution for risks from farm machinery should be sought and undertaken at the production level with the major technological advances occurring in recent years; on the user level the most effective system in any case seems to be the renewal of the machine stock.

Similar considerations can be made with regard to depots and maintenance workshops; more than creating technical solutions, it is a matter of applying good technical standards both with regard to rooms and plant (electrical, thermal, fire-fighting, aspiration etc.), and with regard to equipment and work procedures.

Chapter 3.6 – Contracting to outside firms

Not pertinent, since these activities are on a wholly contract basis.

Chapter 3.7 I reference legislation

General reference legislation

- Legislative Decree of 19/09/1994 n. 626 (amended by Leg. Decree of 19.03.1996 n. 242)

- Presidential Decree of 27.04.1955 n. 547 (amended by Leg. Decree 626/94)

Rules for the prevention of the accidents at the workplace

- Presidential Decree of 19.03.1956 n. 303 (amended by Leg. Decree 626/94)

General rules for occupational health

- Legislative Decree of the 14.08.1996 n. 493 Implementation of Directive 92/58/EEC concerning the minimum rules for the safety signs and/or of health at the workplace

- Legislative Decree of the 04.12.1992 n. 475 Implementation of Directive 89/686 EEC of the Council of 21.12.1989, on standardising the legislation of the member states on individual protection devices

- Presidential Decree of 24.07.1996, n. 459 : "Regulation for the implementation of the directives of the Council 89/392/EEC, 91/368/EEC, 93/44/EEC and 93/68/EEC on standardising the legislation of the member states on machines"

Fire prevention

- Law 27.12.1941, n. 1570 New rules for the organisation of the fire-fighting service

- Presidential Decree of 26.5.1959, n. 689 Determination of the enterprises and processes subject, for purposes of fire prevention, to the control of the Comand of the Fire Department

- Ministry Decree 27.9.1965 Determination of the activities subject to approval for fire prevention, amended by Ministry Decree 16.2. 1982

- Ministry Decree of the 10.03.1998 General criteria for fire-fighting safety and for the management of emergencies at the workplace

Plant

Law of 5.5.1990, n 46/90 Rules for plant safety

Presidential Decree of 6.12.1991, n 447 Regulation of implementation of L 5.3.90 n. 46, regarding plant safety

Reference legislation for individual topics, machines or equipment

(Excluding those already contained in the above rules)

- Sprayers

· UNI 9449, June 1989 - Machines for the protection of the crops. Sprayers. Regulations on manufacture and of safety.

· UNI ISO 4102, - 30.9.98 - Equipment for the protection of the crops - Sprayers – Connection tubes.

· UNI ISO 8169, - 30-9-98 - Equipment for the protection of the crops - Sprayers - Sizes of connections for nozzles and gauges.

· UNI ISO 9357, - 30-9-98 - Equipment for the protection of the crops - Agricultural sprayers – Nominal volume of tank and diameter of filling hole.

· UNI EN 907, - 30-11-98 - Farm and forestry machinery - Sprayers and distributor of liquid fertilisers - Safety.

- Manure spreaders

UNI EN 690, - 28-02-97 - Farm machinery. Manure spreaders. Safety.

- Machines with operating tools

· UNI EN 708, - 30-04-98 - Farm machinery - Machines for working the land with operating tools - Safety.

- Mower-shredder

· Circular of the Labour Ministry n. 57/81

· SS UNI E03.23.610.0, - 31-05-97 - Farm machinery. Mower-skipper device. Safety rule and test method.

- Combine harvesters

· Circular of the Labour Ministry n. 30/80

· UNI 9453/00, - 1-05-89 - Farm machinery. Combine harvesters. Regulations on manufacture and safety.

· UNI EN 632, - 31-12-97 - Farm machinery. Combine harvesters and machines for the harvest of hay. Safety.

- Equipment for working the land

· UNI ISO 5679, -30-06-96 - Equipment for working the land. Discs. Classification, main sizes of fixing and specifications.

· UNI ISO 5713, -30-06-96 - Equipment for working the land. Screws for fixing the elements for working the land.

- Ploughs

· UNI ISO 8910, -30-06-96 - Machines and equipment for working the land. Turning ploughs – Moving parts. Glossary.

- Seeding machines

· UNI ISO 4002/02, - 1-07-81 - Machines for sowing and transplanting. Discs. Single bevel flat discs type d2. Sizes.

- Harrows

· UNI ISO 5678, -30-06-96 - Farm machinery. Equipment for working the land. Harrows type S: main sizes and zones of use.

- Tractors

· Circ. Lab. Min. 179/72, 193/72, 201/73, 49/81 Characteristics of frame and/or protection cab

• Min. Dec. 23 December 1997 Implementation of the decision adopted by the Commission of the European Community on 17 October 1996 containing the implementation of Art. 2 of Directive 77/311/EEC of the Council regarding the noise level at the ear of drivers of agricultural or forestry wheeled tractors.
• Min. Dec. 23 December 1997 Implementation of Directive 96/63/EC of the Commission of the 30 September 1996 amending Directive 76/432/EEC of the Council on braking devices of agricultural or forestry wheeled tractors.

· Standard ISO 11684 1995-01-15 (safety and danger signs)

· UNI ISO 3965/00, - 1-10-81 – Wheeled farm tractors. Determination of maximum speed of advancement.

· UNI 4782, - 30-09-61 – Guards on tracked farm tractors.

· UNI EN 25353, - 30-04-90 – Earth moving machines, tractors, farm and forestry machinery. Reference point of seat.

· UNI ISO 4254/5, -30-06-96 - Tractors and farm and forestry machinery. Motorised equipment for working the land.

- Cardan shaft

· Rule of the Labour Ministry 9280/42-2 of 19.11.1960

· Technical safety rule for the protection Cardan shafts (ISPESL-Regions Committee) of 1989

· Standards ISO 5673 and 5674 Farm tractors, protection for the PTO of Cardan shafts

· UNI 9456/00, - 1-05-89 - Farm machinery. Shelters and shields. Definitions and rules.

Pesticide products: primary rules and related rules

· Law 30 April 1962, n. 283 (amended by Law 26 February 1963, n. 441) Health rules for the production and sale of food substances and drinks (and the production, marketing and maximum limits of pesticide residues).

· Presidential Decree 3 August 1968, n. 1255 Regulation concerning the rules for the production, marketing and sale of pesticides and products for food products in storage.

· Law 2 December 1975, n.638 Obligation of physicians to report cases of poisoning due to pesticides or related products.

· Presidential Decree of 24 May 1988, n. 223 Implementation of EEC rules for classification, packaging and labelling dangerous products (pesticides).

· Decree Min. Health 2 August 1990, n. 258 Updating of products authorised under EEC rules on classification, labelling and packaging.

· Decree 25 January 1991, n. 217 Survey of data on the sale, purchase and use of pesticides.

· Legislative Decree 17 March 1995, n. 194 Rules for marketing of pesticides.

Noise:

· Legislative Decree of 15.08.1991 n. 277 Implementation of directives n. 80/1107 EEC, 82/605 EEC, 83/477 EEC, 86/188 EEC and 88/642 EEC, for the protection of workers against risks deriving from exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents during work.

· Presidential Decree of 10.02.1981, n. 212 Rules for implementation for the partial EEC approval of types of agricultural or forestry wheeled tractors with regard to some devices and characteristics.

UNI standards:

· UNI 9432 of 1989 - Determination of the level of personal exposure to noise in the work environment.

· UNI EN ISO 11200 of 1997 - Noise emitted by machines and equipment. Guidelines for the use of the basic rules of base for the determination of sound pressure levels at the workplace and in other specific positions.

· UNI EN ISO 12001 of 1998 - Noise emitted by machines and equipment. Rules for the drawing up and presentation of a guide for noise level tests.

· ISO 5131 of 1996 - Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry. Measurement of noise at the operator’s position. Survey method.

· ISO 7216 of 1996 - Agricultural and forestry wheeled tractors and self-propelled machines. Measurement of noise emitted when in motion.

· UNI EN ISO 11957 of 1998 - Determination of the performance of acoustic insulation of cabs.

· UNI EN 458 of 1995 – Ear protection. Recommendations for the selection, use, care and maintenance. Guideline document.

Vibrations:

· Proposed EEC Directive, n. C 77/12-29 of 18.3.1993 Exposure limits

· Standard ISO 5008 of 1979 - Methodologies of measurement for vibrations transmitted to the entire body.

· Standard ISO 2631 of 1997 - Assessments of human exposure to vibrations.

Protection of the environment:

Waste disposal

· Legislative Decree n° 22 of 05/02/1997

Implementation of the directives 91/156/EEC on waste, 91/689/EEC on dangerous waste and 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.

· Legislative Decree n° 389 of 08/11/1997

Amendments and additions to Legislative Decree 5 February 1997, n. 22, regarding waste, dangerous waste, packaging and packaging waste.

· Interministry Committee Resolution of 27/07/1984

Rules for the first application of Art. 4 of Presidential Decree 10 September 1982, n. 915, concerning the waste disposal.

· Decree of the Ministry for the Environment 05/02/1998

Identification of non-dangerous waste subjected to simplified recovery procedures pursuant to Art. 31 and 33 of Legislative Decree 5 February 1997, n. 22.

· Decree of the Ministry for the Environment n° 141 of 11/03/1998

Regulation with rules for the disposal of waste at disposal sites and for the cataloguing of dangerous waste at disposal sites.

· Decree of the Ministry for the Environment n° 145 of 01/04/1998

Regulation with the definition of the format and contents of the forms to accompany waste pursuant to Art. 15, 18, paragraph 2, letter e) , and paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree 5 February 1997, n. 22.

· Decree of the Ministry for the Environment n° 148 of 01/04/1998

Regulation with approval of the format of waste loading and unloading registers pursuant to Art. 12, 18, paragraph 2, letter m) , and 18, paragraph 4, of Legislative Decree 5 February 1997, n. 22.

· Ministry for the Environment - Circular of 04/08/1998 n° GAB/DEC/812/98

Circular explaining the filling in of waste loading and unloading registers and of accompaniment forms for the transported waste, identified respectively, by Ministry Decree 1 April 1998, n. 145, and Ministry Decree 1 April 1998, n. 148.

· Decree of the Ministry for the Environment n° 372 of 04/08/1998

Regulation with rules on the reorganisation of the waste register.

Water pollution

· Law n° 319 of 10/05/1976

Rules for the protection of water from pollution.

· Law n° 690 of 08/10/1976

Conversion into law, with amendments, of Decree Law 10 August 1976, n. 544, concerning the extension of the terms in Art. 15, 17 and 18 of Law 10 May 1976, n. 319, with rules for the protection of water from pollution.

· Resolution of the Inter-Ministry Committee for the Protection of water from Pollution of 04/02/1977

Criteria, methodologies and general technical rules as in Art. 2, letters b) , d) and e), of Law 10 May 1976, n. 319, with rules for the protection of water from pollution.

· Law n° 650 of 24/12/1979

Additions and amendments of Laws 16 April 1973, n. 171 and 10 May 1976, n. 319, regarding protection of water from pollution.

· Law n° 36 of the 05/01/1994

Regulations on water resources

· .Law n° 172 of 17/05/1995

Conversion into law, with amendments, of Decree Law 17 March 1995, n. 79, with amendments to rules on discharge of public sewers and inhabited areas not connected to public sewers.

Air pollution

· Law n° 615 of 13/07/1966

Measures against air pollution.

· Presidential Decree n° 1391 of 22/12/1970

Regulation for the implementation of Law 13 July 1966, n. 615, with measures against air pollution, limited to the sector of heating plant.

· Presidential Decree n° 322 of 15/04/1971

Regulation for the implementation of Law 13 July 1966, n. 615, with measures against air pollution, limited to the industrial sector.

· Presidential Decree n° 203 of 24/05/1988

Implementation of the EEC directives numbers 80/779, 82/884, 84/360 and 85/203 concerning rules for the quality of the aria, regarding specific polluting agents, and of pollution produced by industrial plant, pursuant to Art. 15 of Law 16 April 1987, n. 183.

· Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of 21/07/1989

Act of address and co-ordination to the regions, pursuant to Art. 9 of Law 8 July 1986, n. 349, for the implementation and interpretation of Presidential Decree 24 May 1988, n. 203, with rules on the quality of the air regarding specific polluting agents and of pollution produced by industrial plant.

· Ministry Decree of 12/07/1990

Guidelines for the containment of the emissions of industrial plant and the setting of minimum values of emission.

· Presidential Decree of 25/07/1991

Amendments of the act of address and co-ordination regarding emissions with little significance and of activities with low air pollution, issued with Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers on 21 July 1989.

· Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of 02/10/1995

Rules for the commercial characteristics of fuels relevant for the purposes of air pollution and of the technological characteristics of combustion plant.

Chapter 8 The external risk

The following table shows the main categories of impact on the environment which can be attributed to the various working phases of the contracting enterprises:

Process	Operation	Potential impact
Working the land and agricultural practices	· Ploughing · Harrowing · Milling · Levelling · Cleaning channels	None
	· Sowing · Herbicide use	· production of waste · pollution of the surface water · air drift of pesticides
	· Irrigation	None
	· Fertilising	· production of waste · pollution of surface and ground water
Harvest	· Shredding · Threshing · Transport and Silage	· Air pollution from cereals drying
Maintenance and storage	Ordinary and extraordinary maintenance of machines · Depot management	· production waste · pollution of surface and ground water air pollution from maintenance operations

Production of waste

Aggregate data on the production of waste by the contracting enterprises studied here are not currently available. The recent coming into force of Legislative Decree 22/97 and of some implementation decrees have induced the enterprises in the farming sector to carry out a process of updating still under way. In the next months this will enable us to obtain reliable data on the quantity and quality of waste deriving from the activity undertaken.

We must also report that many of the contractor enterprises deliver some types of waste, specially that deriving from field work (distribution of fertilisers, sowing, treatments with soil disinfectants and herbicides), to the customer farming enterprises, which must therefore undertake the correct storage and final disposal.

In relation to the various phases of process, the following table provides on outline of the types of waste produced; besides the classification under law, some of them also show also data for average estimated production (respectively for hectare worked or for 100 hours of use of the machines), deduced from recent research on this topic.

This shows a situation in which, given the relative variety of the types produced, the amounts involved seem limited. In any case these data must be verified on the basis of the requirements set forth in the rules in force (keeping loading and unloading registers, Single Reporting Form).

Process	Name of waste	Classification	Estimated production
Working the land and agricultural practices	seed containers	special waste (non-dangerous)	0.3 kg/ha
	containers for pesticides and unused products (primary container)	special waste (dangerous)	0.3 kg/ha
	external containers for pesticides	special waste (non-dangerous)	0.2 kg/ha
	sacks of synthetic fertilisers	special waste (non-dangerous)	1.5 kg/ha
	pallets	special waste (non-dangerous)	10 kg/ha
Harvest	-	-	-
Maintenance and storage	Used mineral oil (from hydraulic circuits, brakes, motors, transmissions and gears)	special waste (dangerous)	6 kg/100 hours
	oil and gasoil filters	special waste (dangerous)	0.35 kg/100 hours
	containers for of oil and lubricants in general	special waste (dangerous)	1.5 kg/100 hours
	oily rags	special waste (non-dangerous)	not known
	dead batteries	special waste (dangerous)	not known
	machines and vehicles to be scrapped	special waste (non-dangerous)	not known
	dust and smoke reduction plant filters	special waste (non-dangerous)	not known

With the coming into effect of Legislative Decree 5 February 1997, n, 22 there has been a slow but constant updating of the rules, both with regard to management aspects (correct procedures of temporary storage, use of enterprises authorised for transport and final disposal), and for the necessary administrative requirements.

Soil pollution

The dispersion of dangerous substances with consequent contamination of the soil can occur due to incorrect procedures for storage of raw materials and/or residues of the processes or of accidental events (leakage or breaking of containers, dropping, etc.). The simple adopting of operational and structural precautions can prevent these events.

We can mention, for example:

· storage of waste by standard types, on a paved and covered surface

· use of containers providing adequate guarantees for securing and resistance, provided with marks identifying the contents and means of access making handling operations easy and safe

· creation of containment basin with adequate capacity for tanks above ground

· adopting of suitable safety procedures during the operations of filling and emptying.

Pollution of surface and ground water

The following are a source of risk for surface and ground water:

· dispersion of dangerous substances used as raw materials or forming residues of the activities, due to incorrect procedures of handling and/or storage or to accidental events;

· draining of land and crops on which treatments have been conducted, due to rainwater

· operations of washing of vehicles and machines, without suitable decontamination treatment.

Also in this case, adopting operational and structural precautions enables us to prevent this impact.

Air pollution

This type of impact has slight relevance, and is mostly due to pollutant emissions in the form of smoke and dust, spread in the atmosphere or conveyed to single emission points, produced in specific work phases not always present:

· welding operations during the maintenance of machines and plant

· cereals drying

The need to protect workers and prevent air pollution requires the withdrawal of pollutants at the source and their treatment, if emissions are in concentrations exceeding the limits.

 
 
1. WORK STAGE : Preparation of the land and agricultural practices
2. COD.INAIL : 1111, 3220
3. RISK FACTOR : Noise, vibrations, pesticides, accidents due to farm machinery
4. RISK CODE : 
5. N.WORKERS : 81

WORKING THE LAND AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

1.1 Work stage

There follows a detailed description of the various operations; it should be recalled that the substantial homogeneity of the risks to be treated, with the sole partial exception of herbicides where there can be a significant risk of exposure to pesticides, which will be described and treated.

PLOUGHING

This is the main preparatory process of the land, carried out in different periods of the year, according to the most widespread crop cycles.

The main purpose of this operation is to prepare the land for the subsequent operations and at the same time eliminate by burying the vegetation and crop residues, incorporating any animal or organic waste already present.

In all the cases it is carried out by a towed plough, connected to the tractor by means of the 3-point hitch and regulated by hydraulic jacks connected to the tractor plant.

OUTLINE

Period	Unless otherwise required for crops the period coincides with the autumn and spring months
Purpose	Incorporation of crop residues, waste etc.
Description	Consists in the turning over a portion of soil after lifting it upwards from the ground
Operations	Attaching and detaching tools, "mechanical or hydraulic" regulation of the ploughing width
Personnel	Tractor drivers
Duration	0.7 - 1.5 ha/hour

COMPLEMENTARY WORKING OF THE LAND:

MILLING HARROWING LEVELLING

These are all the mechanical operations on the land after the primary process for creating the best conditions for sowing and the initial growth of crops. Different types of equipment are used to break up the clods of earth, to refine the soil and at the same time to even out the surface previously ploughed.

The complementary work as other important objectives, such as the destruction of weeds appearing after the primary work, burying of fertilisers and of those herbicides which for their particular action must be incorporated in the soil.

Furthermore, on the basis of the pedologic, morphological and hydrological characteristics of the area (granulometry, depth, permeability, hydromorphy), in order to prepare the land properly, it is necessary to intervene with the instruments best suited to the various circumstances, from the most intensive to the lighter ones. This involves the availability of wide assortment of tools, suited to the characteristics and behaviour of the soil in the most varied situations.

Finally, in order to make the surface of the soil previously worked even more uniform, thus ensuring suitable drainage and to favour subsequent planting stages, the most widespread operation is levelling, conducted with the use of levellers automatically controlled with a laser system, consisting of a blade mounted on a wheeled trailer towed from behind by the tractor.

OUTLINE

Period	After ploughing and coinciding with the autumn and spring months
Purpose	Breaking up clods, evening and smoothing the ploughed soil
Description	Refining of the soil by the use of equipment varying on the basis of the agronomic characteristics of the soil
Personnel	Tractor drivers
Duration	1.5 - 3.5 ha/hour

SOWING

This is one of the most delicate operations since its success determines the good growth of the seedlings.

The most widespread cereal crops in the Lodi area, mainly characterised by animal breeding, are undoubtedly corn and autumn-winter cereals, especially barley, followed by feed crops (generally pastures). This is why the categories of seeding machines differ from the traditional models defined as "universal"; they are designed for the distribution of a wide range of seed, in the quantity desired but without a precise order, compared to the models in which sowing takes with the deposit of the seed at regular and preset intervals (precision seeding machines). The latter category of machines is widely used for the sowing of corn, sometimes also combined with the local distribution of insecticides (soil disinfectants) and/or small amounts of fertiliser. Soil disinfection is usually conducted for the treatment of first harvest corn (sowing in March-April, the period with the highest risk soil-based parasites); the products, generally granular, are distributed by the use of seeding machines equipped with a distributor.

We should recall that in line with the principles of sustainable management of farming there is an increasing use of seeding machines combined with tools for refining the soil, in order to maximise the economic advantages.

OUTLINE

Period	Coincides with spring for corn and rice and autumn for straw cereals
Purpose	Deposit of the seed in the soil in regular amounts and intervals
Operations	Attaching and detaching equipment, regulation of the distribution devices, loading of the hopper
Personnel	Tractor drivers and workers
Duration	0.8 - 2 ha/hour

FERTILISING

In order to improve the function of soil nutrition, fertilising substances designed to modify the agronomic fertility are added. The most widespread types of synthetic fertiliser are in granular form, due to technical aspects but especially for reasons related to handling and storage.

To censure that the distribution of the fertiliser takes place with regularity, machines called fertiliser spreaders are used. The most widely used models can be classified into two categories:

· Centrifugal fertiliser spreaders, very widespread for the rapidity of work and low cost, but often characterised by imprecise distribution;

· Pneumatic fertiliser spreaders, recently introduced, providing for more uniform, homogeneous and precise distribution, avoiding unwanted waste and in compliance with environmental balance.

OUTLINE

Period	Usually during refining operations for phosphorous, potassium and part of the nitrate fraction, while the remaining quota of nitrogen is provided in periods when crop nitrate demand is highest.
Purpose	Distribution of synthetic fertilisers to rebuild soil reserves
Operations	Attaching and detaching tools, loading of hopper
Personnel	Tractor drivers and workers
Duration	1.5 - 3 ha/hour

CHEMICAL TREATMENTS

"HERBICIDES"

Herbicide use is one of the most delicate and complex aspects of the crop cultivation, especially for the main herbaceous crops of the Lodi area. The control of plants competing with cereal crops for the vital elements requires use of a particular category of products: herbicides.

With regard to corn, the most widespread crop, the strategies of herbicide use mainly adopted in the enterprises are based on intervention in the pre-sowing and pre-emergency phases.

The presence of aggressive weeds, typical of non-rotated corn crops, and the recent introduction of formulas characterised by a wide range of action, have led to greater use of post-emergency measures, also reducing the negative effects of the spring rains; post-emergency is increasingly considered as the solution main rather than as emergency intervention.

In post-emergency there may also be targeted measures for soil disinfection, using granular products with fertiliser spreaders or liquid products applied with sprayer bars with le same methods used for herbicides.

OUTLINE

Period	The period with the greatest activity of herbicide distribution coincides with the spring months for corn, while for autumn-winter cereals the periods are subdivided between autumn and the end of the winter season
Purpose	Control of unwanted vegetation by spraying the soil and/or the crop with an herbicide solution
Description	Preparation of the mixture and regulation of the sprayer according to the volume of liquid required by the treatment, choosing the type of nozzle, operating pressure and height of the bar with respect to the working surface
Personnel	Tractor drivers
Duration	10 - 20 ha/hour

IRRIGATION

The water is taken mainly from surface bodies of water, which in the Lodi area form an extensive network. More rarely irrigation is from wells.

The irrigation methods most used in the Lodi area for the distribution of water to crops are channelling and sprinklers.

Channel irrigation is undoubtedly the most widespread system in the Lodi area, due to the presence of fields requiring large volumes of water. Due to the particular structural model (arrangement of fields, availability of water etc.) of the local enterprises, this technique is also used in general to other crops, such as corn and soybeans.

Together with this method there is sprinkler irrigation, used in farms characterised by light soils, where only this type of irrigation can guarantee good efficiency and limit losses due to percolation. This method is also suited to limited interventions in case of emergency or for the action of the herbicides distributed.

OUTLINE

Period	Irrigation usually takes place throughout the summer period, but can also be carried out in spring to face periods of water shortage during crucial crop phases
Purpose	To restore the correct humidity of the soil and to provide for the needs of crops
Description	Drawing water from channels and distribution on fields
Personnel	Tractor drivers and workers

CLEANING CHANNELS

In order to guarantee an adequate water supply to crops, the channels and ditches are kept efficient thanks to constant maintenance of the banks (cutting weeds) and the bed.

OUTLINE

Period	Usually in spring and during the irrigation season
Purpose	To increase the efficiency and thus the capacity of the channels
Description	Mechanical elimination of the unwanted vegetation and cleaning the bed
Personnel	Tractor drivers and workers

1.2 Equipment, Machines and Plant"

The machines and tools most used in relation to the specific processes are described in the table; farm tractors, a universally used machine, are examined separately.

The EC seal

With regard to the single pieces of equipment, the general obligation in Leg. Decree 494/95 applies.

Equipment such as milling machines, harrows, levellers and in any case all the older machines for secondary working of the land do not have the EC seal; these machines often lack instruction and maintenance booklets and warning labels.

During the checking conducted, no significant irregularities were recorded. Most of the tool stock, in any case, dates to before the EC seal requirement came into force.

Tractors are specifically excluded from the EC seal requirement, since they are subject to specific rules.

The most common machines and tools:

Plough	According to the type of work the most widespread ploughs are the turning, harrow and turning type, i.e. the classical plough. In general multi-harrow ploughs are used, either towed or and semi-towed. The parts composing the turnplough are grouped as follows: · Working parts (colter, harrow, turning, jointer) · Support and connecting parts (beam, support, rod, heel, wall, hitch) · Regulation parts (depth and width regulator, regulator of the position of the hitch to the tractor)
Milling machines Rotary harrows Levellers	The most widely used operating machines are: Milling machine: towed farming machine, operated by the power of the tractor, consisting of a horizontal axle to which the moving discs are attached. The upper part of the frame has a protective metal carter to prevent stones from flying. Rotary harrows: of type towed by a three point hitch. Movement is provided by the power take-off. The working parts are discs with teeth that act perpendicular to the soil Leveller: towed machine consisting of a goose-neck frame with two or four wheels, equipped with blades facing downwards in the middle of the frame.
Seeding machines	Universal type seeding machines and mechanical or pneumatic precision seeding machines towed by the three point hitch with movement provided by the power of the tractor. They consist of the following parts: · hopper, designed to contain the seed · distributor, to regulate the quantity of seed to be distributed · feeder tubes, connecting the distributor with the furrow drills · furrow drills, which deposit the seed in the soil · seed covering device
Fertiliser spreaders	These are of carried and/or towed, operated by power take-off and consisting of a cone-shaped hopper with the lower portion containing the distributor device, in most cases consisting of a horizontal plate where the scoops are applied. Granular fertiliser is distributed by the rotation of the plate. The capacity of the hopper for carried models is 2-4 m3 and for towed models 5-10 m3
Tools for Irrigation	Generally for channel irrigation methods carried turbines are used, operated by power take-off. They consist of a wide diameter telescopic tube mounted on a trapezoid structure. The lower part of the tubes has a rotor which after being completely submerged in the channel, draws out the water and sends it to the tube. For sprinkler irrigation mobile sprinkler devices operated by power take-off are used. The machine consists of a reel with tyres supporting a large drum for winding and unwinding hose. At the end of this there is a sprinkler counted on a small wheeled trolley or sled.
Sprayers for herbicide use	The carried, towed and self-moving types are used. They basically consist of a tank with different capacity (from 300 to 2000 litres), shaker, pump, gauge, constant concentration volume regulator – “DPC” with constant pressure and speed or "DPM and DPA" variable pressure and speed; there is a manual or hydraulic operating bar, with hanging support structure, equipped with of nozzle-holder sections and sets with one or more nozzles each.
Machines for cleaning channels	Mower arm: mounted on the three point hitch and operated by power take-off, consisting of a hydraulic arm on the end of which there is a cutter head. Hydraulic hopper or loader: there are types connected to the three point hitch of the tractor and towed types. It consists of a basic structure, which in the towed types has wheels, a crane, a rotary element, a scoop, stabilisers and finally the regulation and control device.

Farm tractors

Description

Tractors are the farm machinery used to the handling of the equipment necessary for farming operations. These machines are equipped with variable power engines, sometimes over 100 kW, according to the processes to be undertaken.

They are equipped with two or four driving wheels; in the latter case they are called double traction and are generally the most powerful.

Farm tractors can likewise be equipped with tracks, according to the particular conditions of the land (humidity, slope etc.).

Since 1.1.1974, wheeled farm tractors with a minimum width exceeding m.1 and weight, when driven, exceeding Kg. 800, must have roll bars or cabs at the driver’s seat. If registered before this date, the user must equip them at least with a two-piece frame complying with the technical indications shown in the Circular of the Labour Ministry 49/81, certified by the manufacturer.

Types of structure for turnover protection:

closed cab

4-piece frame

2-piece rear device

2-piece front device

The handling of farm equipment with tractors can occur by towing or attaching with the 3-point hitch for carried or semi-carried equipment.

The tractor can also be used as a source of moving power for operating equipment or other devices, and for this purpose is equipped with of one or more power take-offs, which are connected to other equipment by Cardan shafts.

Other equipment for particular processes may also be attached to the tractor, for example shovels for cleaning stables, equipment for cleaning irrigation channels, forks for handling of bales or pallets etc.

There follows a safety check-list for tractors.

FARM TRACTORS

Reference legislation: Pres. Decree 547/55, Min. Dec. Transport 5.8.1991

INFORMATION AND LABELS

Each machine must be equipped with of a user and maintenance manual.

The use and maintenance must be in compliance with the parameters recommended by the manufacturer.

It is important for all the operations of maintenance/replacement to be registered.

PROTECTION AGAINST TURNOVER

Each machine must be equipped with of a protective structure in case of turning over. (no obligation only for tractors with width less than m. 1 and weight under Kg. 800)

The protective structure must be equipped with of label showing the following information, being visible, legible and indelible:

Manufacturer or trade brand

Mark of approval for the model

Series number of the protective structure

Brand and type of tractors for which the protective structure is designed

PROTECTION OF TRANSMISSIONS

The power take-off, and, if connected, the Cardan shaft, must be protected, with complete protection in good conditions of efficiency.

ACCESS TO DRIVER’S SEAT

It must be easy to get on and off the tractor.

The machine must be equipped with adequate supports for getting on and off;

Characteristics of steps:

width at least cm 25 (up to cm 15 in particular cases).

depth at least 15 cm.

first step with height not exceeding 55 cm.

interval of steps not exceeding 30 cm.

EMERGENCY EXITS

All vehicles must be equipped with three openings usable in case of emergency, each situated in a different wall of the cab, with the roof considered as a wall. The windshield and the lateral and rear walls can be considered as emergence exits if they can be opened or moved rapidly from inside the cab.

WARNING LABELS

The machine must have warning showing main rules of behaviour for purposes of safety.

Age of the tractors

We have already seen in the sector document that the age of the tractors is inversely proportional to the power; in the sector we can thus expect to find a machine stock on average less old than in the farming enterprises.

This is the situation recorded on the local level:

year of purchase	tractors
Up to 1975	8
1976-1986	58
1987-1991	34
1992-1998	56
TOTAL	156

On the whole over half of the machines are less than 10 years old. The table shows the distribution of the machine stock according to age and power; there is an obvious tendency to purchase increasingly powerful tractors.

Equipment applied to tractors

Type of equipment	Amount
Breaking plough	5
Ploughs with 1-2-3-4-5-6 harrows	43
Herbicide/pesticide tanks	10
Towed herbicide/pesticide tanks	11
Mower -cutters	9
Rotary harrow	34
Multipacker disc harrow	9
Spring harrow	10
Seeding machine	36
Manure tank	5
Trailer total weight 1,500 Kg.	43
Trailer weight 1,500 Kg. 1 axle	8
Trailer weight 1,500 Kg. 2 axles	49
Trailer weight 1,500 Kg. 3 axles	12
Manure spreader	6
Flat trailer for self-moving transport	3
Hoe mill	4
Irrigator	4
Sprinkler	2
Leveller	14
Scraper	11
Roller	3
Fertiliser spreaders	4
Turbine – water pump	22
Clod crusher	2
Hoeing machine	2

1.3 The risk factor

The table lists the risk factors present in every single operation of the process Working the land and agricultural practices"

Safety risks	Protection transmission components	Milling, harrowing, sowing, fertilising, herbicide use, irrigation, cleaning channels
	Protection of moving parts	Ploughing, milling, harrowing, levelling, cleaning channels,
	* Other measures for machines	All the processes
	* Getting on and off tractors	All processes
Risks for environmental health	Inhaling of dust	Milling, harrowing, sowing, fertilising
	Mainly contact with skin with chemical substances (soil disinfectants, herbicides, fertilisers)	Sowing, herbicide use, fertilising
	Noise	Milling, harrowing, sowing, fertilising, herbicide use, irrigation, cleaning channels
	Vibrations	Milling, harrowing, sowing, fertilising, herbicide use, cleaning channels
	Biological agents	All the working the land
Other risks or organisational factors	Continuous work, night work	Occasionally for several processes
	Manual handling of loads	Sowing, herbicide use, fertilising, irrigation
	* Transit by road	All the processes
	Discomfort of PPD	Sowing, herbicide use
	Intensity, monotony, isolation	All the processes
	Knowledge and capacity of personnel	All the processes

* The asterisk indicates the risks not included in the ISPESL classification.

Safety risks:

Motion transmission components:

· Chains, belts, pulleys

Dangerous events: catching, dragging and crushing

Protection: segregation with bolted carters and, in recently manufactured machines, more sophisticate systems of the mechanical, electrical or pneumatic type.

Results of checking: the machines are generally protected; only some older models fail to comply with regulation standards: some carters were simply hinged or inserted in special housing and thus openable without special operations.

Correct work procedures were not always respected in unplanned interventions (always stopping the engine before intervening, replacing the protection after each operation).

· Cardan shaft (transmission shaft, joints, power take-off)

Protection: protection with shields, telescopic tube and chains (firms should have a sufficient supply of spares). Avoid using clothing, belts or shoes that could get caught.

Results of checking: Cardan shafts represent a serious and known danger. Up to a few years ago there were frequently shafts without protection or with parts missing, broken or altered.

In checking conducted in 1997-1998 the Cardan shafts proved to be partly suitably protected; only the protection of the power take-offs, both active and passive, sometimes was sometimes removed or altered for facilitate insertion of the shaft.

Moving parts:

Dangerous events: contact with moving parts, projection of material, possibility of involving ground personnel.

The movement of equipment (ploughshares, discs of the harrows, hoes, miller blades etc.) can represent a risk, in the case of work on moving parts and above all with regard to other operators who may be near the range of action of the machine. This is a frequent condition, since it regards work areas; the movement of the machines in case of breaking involves protruding parts, and there is a frequent risk of flying earth or stones.

Protection:

· Structural: bolted carters, canvas, covers or chains.

· Procedural: stopping movement before any intervention, turn off the motor during the conversation between the driver and persons on the ground, prevent any too close approach to the machine working areas by persons not required.

Results of checking: structural protection is almost always present; procedural drawbacks, less easy to verify, are confirmed by the dynamics of many of the accidents.

Occasional intervention on machines:

Dangerous events:

Protection: do not conduct any type of intervention, do not remove protective carters from machines in movement.

Before resuming work after maintenance work, restore all the protection, verify that no removed parts have been forgotten and that all the equipment used previously has been removed from the machine.

Getting on and off tractors:

Dangerous events: falling and slipping

Protection: access to the driver’s seat must be equipped with handles. The steps must be slip-proof and properly dimensioned.

Do not start up or drive the tractor if not correctly seated at the driver’s seat and do not get off the tractor when it is moving, even if at very low speed. Never carry passengers, not even in the driver’s seat.

Get on and off the tractor using the steps and le handles, and avoid jumping directly on the ground.

Results of checking: most of the accidents of tractors are due to slipping or falling, in some cases with serious consequences and sometimes long periods away from work.

Risks for environmental health

Chemical agents

Dust

Dangerous event: inhaling of dust. All mechanical working of the land raises dust. This phenomenon is more serious if the soil has crop residues, for example during ploughing.

Prevention: the most effective system to prevent this risk lies in the use of tractors equipped with closed cabs with forced ventilation, or even better with an air conditioning system, as well as a good filtering system.

If the tractors have no cab with the above-mentioned characteristics, or in case of particular activities with short duration, PPD should be used.

Results of checking: during herbicide treatments in corn fields, together with research on the active principles, three samples of total dust content were taken.

On the first two days the driver had a tractor equipped with a cab and forced ventilation; the third day there was a tractor equipped with a cab and air conditioning; in both cases the process took place with a closed cab.

A pump model 4L Zambelli with a sampling flow 2 litres per minute was used for personal sampling.

On the lapel of his worksuit the driver wore a holder with cellulose nitrate membrane with a diameter of 25 mm, porosity 0.8 microns. The duration of the sampling varied from a minimum of 1 hour up to about 2 hours 30’.

The weighted determination with microanalytical scale was conducted by the Laboratory of Industrial Hygiene of the PMIP of Milan; the membranes, before and after the sampling, were subjected to conditioning.

There follow the results obtained, expressed as concentration in mg/m3

I day of sampling	2.16 mg/m3
II day of sampling	1.51 mg/m3
III day of sampling	1.83 mg/m3

The amounts involved are rather small and fall with in the standard rate if compared with the TLV ACGIH for total dust, equalling 10 mg/m3.

However, the following must be taken into account:

· The survey was not directly targeted to the determination of total dust. The opportunity of undertaking the analysis of the active principles of chemicals was exploited to additionally determine this factor;

· Application of chemicals proved to be one of the least dust-producing agricultural processes, since it involves liquids and as well as regarding different phases of field treatment, such as filling of the tank with water and the preparation of the mixture (in the cases examined liquid products were used);

· The values of the three days reflect the working conditions in a closed cab, with low total exposure to dust. However, in relation to what is mentioned above, this does not exclude significant dust-related risks in other working conditions and with various equipment.

Synthetic fertilisers

Dangerous event: contact with skin and/or inhaling of dust during the loading of the hoppers of the fertiliser spreaders and during distribution.

Prevention: use PPD, in particular gloves, and if necessary an antidust mask. For the distribution of fertilisers in the field use a tractor equipped at least with a closed cab and antidust filters.

Results of checking: currently, especially for the fertilising of large areas, the use of big-bags (large sacks) is increasingly used, since these reduce and speed up the loading of the hoppers, thus reducing the time of exposure to dangerous substances.

Pesticide products

Dangerous event: contact with skin and, to a much lesser extent, inhaling of active principles.

The agronomic situation identified in the sector concerned involves basically constant crops, with use of pesticides basically related to the cultivation of corn, the major crop in the reference area, and a rather low number of active principles in use.

The risk of exposure to chemical products basically occurs in the activities of pesticide use, a farming operation that is important in the growth of corn and cereals generally; there are occasional processes of disinfection or soil disinfection, when required, and to a much lesser extent, in the sowing stage due to the handling of treated seed.

The risk of exposure from re-entry is not very great, since agricultural practice seldom requires immediate new intervention in the treated fields.

Results of checking

On the basis of the sales data provided by the Agricultural Consortium, the largest supplier in the area, the most sold active principles are the following (data 1996).

Active principle	Amount (Kg)
ALACHLOR	15,580
PROPANIL	7,496
TERBUTYLAZINE	3,655
CHLORPYRIPHOS AND C. METHYL	2,786
METHOLACHLOR	2,363
MANCOZEB	2,222
PENDIMETHALIN	1,568
GLIPHOSATE	1,473
BENFURACARB	754
TRIFLURALIN	717
BENTAZONE	423

Environmental monitoring of exposure to chemicals

Field surveys were conducted during treatments to assess exposure of the workers by dosimetry of cutaneous deposit and of the air-borne concentrations of active principles.

Situations were selected involving the active principles most widely used in recent years for corn treatment in pre-emergency stages in the Lodi area.

Surveys were conducted on alachlor, metolachlor, terbutylazine and aclonifen in 1996 and alachlor, metolachlor, terbutylazine and pendimethalin in 1998.

The assessment of external doses with which the workers come into contact was made in relation to the types of machines and the operational procedures used.

Measurements were conducted in three different situations (large tank and tractor with non-air conditioned cab, large tank and tractor with air conditioned cab, small tank piccolo and tractor with air conditioned cab), in the which equipment used, chosen on the basis of a previous survey, had the following characteristics:

· Towed tank with capacity of 2000 l, bar length 16 m and tractor with non-air conditioned cab,

· Towed tank with capacity of 3000 l, bar length 16 m and tractor with air conditioned cab,

· Carried tank with capacity of 600 l, bar length 10 m and tractor with air conditioned cab.

Methodology

Ten days of sampling were carried out (5 in the 96 and 5 in the 98) in the months of March, April and May.

Phases identified:

1. filling of tanks and preparation of mixture;

2. treatment of field;

3. all the phases of refilling tanks.

The cutaneous deposit was detected by:

· pads in dorsale and in epigastric area directly on the skin, under clothing,

· a third external pad was placed at the height of the lapel;

· washing of hands with double-distilled water and detergent at the end of treatment; the wash water and paper towel were collected in a glass jar and subsequently sent for analysis.

Exposure by inhaling was detected personal sampling and a membrane holder applied at the height of the lapel on the side opposite the pad.

The pads and the membrane were left for the entire duration of sampling.

Materials

The pads, produced on an artisan basis with un thin layer of aluminium, a disc of absorbent paper and some gauze folded fan-wise to increase the absorbent surface, provide the indication of the deposit on the bare skin, and the degree of protection by clothing with regard to the pads located under the clothes.

In order to determine the air-borne concentration, a personal sampler type 4L by Zambelli was used, with a holder with cellulose nitrate membrane with a diameter of 20 or 25 mm, porosity 0.8 microns, sampling flow 2 litres per minute.

The duration of sampling varied according to operational requirements (size of fields to be treated, change of products) and in any case from a minimum time of 1 hour 15 minutes ad a maximum of about 4 hours.

Sampling was conducted for total of 10 days, and for each one 5 sets were collected:

· The 3 pads,

· Wash water of the hands and the paper towel,

· The membrane.

The samples of’ 96 and ’98 were analysed respectively by the Laboratory of Toxicology of the University of Milan and by the sections for Chemical Pollutants at the Workplace of the PMIP of the Milan local health authority.

Results

The average, minimum and maximum values for amounts inhaled and cutaneous deposits are shown, expressed in micrograms.

	Average (mcg)	Min. (mcg)	Max. (mcg)
Amount inhaled	3	0.91	5.76
Deposit on face	65.6	None	364.9
Deposit on hands	1030.5	149.2	2865
Deposit on skin	1726.2*	None.	2185

· On just 2 samples for persons not wearing protective suit; in the other 8 samples cutaneous deposit was absent

The table shows values for the amount inhaled and cutaneous deposit (mcg) only for the active principles used during sampling; there is also the percentage of active principles contained in the products in use.

		Terbutylazine	alachlor	metolachlor	pendimethalyn
Day 1	Product	13%		26%
	Amount inhaled	1	0.49	2.64
	Dep. Face	10.1	2.95	4.42
	Dep. Hands	352.5	127.5	277.5
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a
Day 2	Product	44.1%	41.5%
	Amount inhaled	0.38	0.42	0.11
	Dep. Face	19.71	52.88	14.15
	Dep. Hands	33.75	40.5	75
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a
Day 3	Product			28.8%
	Amount inhaled	0.95	0.63	0.89
	Dep. Face	3.04	3.82	8.33
	Dep. Hands	967.5	660	1237.5
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a
Day 4	Product	44.1%	41.5%
	Amount inhaled	0.99	3.15	1.62
	Dep. Face	a	a	a
	Dep. Hands	855	1530	922.5
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a
Day 5	Product			28.8%
	Amount inhaled	0.41	0.49	0.35
	Dep. Face	5.73	5.47	7.98
	Dep. Hands	90	135	262.5
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a
Day 6	Product	12.2%	28.5%
	Amount inhaled	a	a
30.4	Dep. Face	4.34	26.05
	Dep. Hands	80.6	806	55.8	18.6
	Dep. Skin	866	1319
Day 7	Product	12.2%	28.5%
	Amount inhaled	a	a
	Dep. Face	a	a
	Dep. Hands	a	784	84
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a
Day 8	Product	11%	27%
	Amount inhaled	a	a
	Dep. Face	260.65	104.21
	Dep. Hands	27.9	93	102.3
	Dep. Skin	516.9	750.6
Day 9	Product	11%	27%
	Amount inhaled	a	a
	Dep. Face	a	43.42
	Dep. Hands	328	369
	Dep. Skin	a	a
Day 10	Product	12.2%	28.5%
	Amount inhaled	a	a
	Dep. Face	26.05	52.10
	Dep. Hands	36.5	65.7	219	7.3
	Dep. Skin	a	a	a

Conclusions and measurements of prevention

The results, obtained in work conditions characterised by the presence of a closed cab, show a good level of protection for the worker. The measurements, conducted during 10 treatments in the field, showed the deposit during pesticide use for 82 hectares of land.

No significant differences appear as to the type of cab used; both in the case of tractors with cab with forced air and in tractors with air conditioned cab, the cabs were used closed.

The fraction inhaled was very low (average 3 mcg), at the limits of detectability; in the 1998 survey, when the laboratory used methods with sensitivity limits of 3 microgramms, no quantifiable doses of active principles were detected.

In the given conditions date cutaneous deposit rates were also quite low.

The workers in all cases wore gloves; the fraction of deposit on hands was mostly due to the inadequacy of the protective clothing; in both surveys at the time of washing the hands, active principles not used in the survey concerned were found, a sign of previous pollution of the gloves.

Only in two cases active principles were found on the pads in contact with the skin; in both cases the workers were not wearing a proper suit, thus confirming the importance of the correct use of PPD during pesticide operations.

A significant difference linked to the behaviour of personnel was also noted with regard to the contamination of the skin of the hands. The washing water showed low values in personnel paying more attention during work and definitely higher values high in the person (sample 3 and 4) working with fewer precautions. In the latter person and in those not using a protective suit the ratio between the amount deposited and the amount of PA used, though within quite low values (10-7 - 10-8), worsened by one order of size.

Physical agents

Noise

Dangerous event: exposure to noise. Mechanised farming processes are always rather noisy. For operations of breaking up the soil, this depends on the mechanical friction between equipment (hoes, cutters, blades) and soil; for other processes the power used makes the work noisy, and in any case just the tractor engine represents a major source of noise.

Given the characteristics of the sector, it is neither possible not significant to distinguish the noise rate of the machines in the various processes of working the land, e.g. in sowing and in pesticide use, since there is always noise from tractors, even if of different power.

Protective systems:

The condition most affecting noise is the presence of the cab; in the case of tractors equipped with a sound-proof and air conditioned cab, whatever the process under way, the levels at the driver’s seat are lower than 80 dB(A). If the tractors are equipped only with the frame or a non-air conditioned cab (kept open) for some processes the levels are very high, sometimes over 90 dB(A).

About 60% of the tractors in the enterprises considered are equipped with air conditioned cabs, and thus normally used with closed cab, while 15% of cabs have forced ventilation, and 5% with frame only.

Results of checking

Checking was carried out on 23 tractors, divided on the basis of the structural characteristics most affecting worker exposure to noise:

· Absence of cab,

· Use of naturally ventilated cab,

· Use of cab with air conditioning.

The surveys conducted in the field, next to the driver’s seat, are indicative of driver exposure.

For the measurements, a Bruel Kjaer model 2230 integrator phonometer was used; the duration of the sampling varied from a few minutes for processes with constant sound level, to about an hour or more for processes with variable rates.

(March - November 1996)

Year of manufacture	Model	Power (Cv)	Equipment or process under way	Leq measured (dBa)
1986	JOHN DEERE 4850	215	4-share plough	77.5
1994	FENDT 824	240	livella	74
1991	JOHN DEERE 4455	160	livella	76
1986	FIAT 1880	180	scraper	85
1984	FIAT 1280	130	Rotary harrow	88 91
1990	JOHN DEERE 4255	142	Manure spreader tanks	78
1985	JOHN DEERE 4240S	142	Repuntatore???	80
1989	AGRIFULL	140	Rotary harrow	82 90
1991	JOHN DEERE 2850	80	Seeding machine	74
1996	FENDT 824		4-share plough	80
1985	FENDT 3091S	95	Pesticide use	82 90
1993	JOHN DEERE 3680	130	Fertiliser spreaders	75
1994	INTERNATIONAL	240	harrowing	76
1982	FIAT 180	180	harrowing	82 87
1981	INTERNATIONAL 1455	140	harrowing	85 76
1981	LANDINI 7550	75	Sowing	88 87.5
1989	FENDT 312 ISA	115	Mower-conditioner	79 89
1990	LANDINI 16500	165	Trailer for shreddings	79
1986	JOHN DEERE 4350	150	Milling machine	78
1981	LANDINI 8500	85	Hauling	85
1987	FIAT 80-90	80	Pesticide use	78
1984	JOHN DEERE 3040		cleaning channels	81
1981	FIAT 140-90	140	Towing/trailer	78

Measurements were conducted on non-air conditioned tractors in two operational conditions:

· Closed cab

· Cab with windows and/or doors open, the normal condition of use for non-air conditioned tractors in warm periods.

There was a rate of under 80 dB(A) for 78.5 % of the machines equipped with air conditioning and 33.3 % of the machines with closed cab.

For open cabs all the machines were over 85 dB(A).

The trend of the relevant Leq rates was assessed according to the age of the tractors. The newer the machine, the lower the equivalent noise levels observed.

Comparison was made with the equivalent level measured on some tractors with closed cabs and those with open cabs.

The differential for open cabs was high, in some cases also up to 10 dB(A).

Vibrations

Dangerous events: vibrations and shock are phenomena typical of mechanised farming processes; with regard to the use of machines, these are basically vibrations transmitted to the entire body.

Protection: manufactured machines are designed in such a way as to handle and attenuate as far as possible the problem of vibrations.

With regard to tractors, the concern with reducing exposure to vibrations mainly regards the seat, as well as the structure of the machine for in order to eliminate vibrations in the cab by the use of pneumatic suspension, antivibration pads and other solutions such as, for example, suspended cabs.

Results of checking: in spring 1998 measurements were conducted on vibrations in the drivers’ cabs of six tractors, involved in differenti activities.

Methodology of measurement

This is defined by ISO standard 5008, according to which vibrations are detected, measuring acceleration, for bands of 1/3 octave (from 1 to 80 Hz), along the three orthogonal axes (x, y, z), with axis z perpendicular to the ground (the floor of the machine), axis x along the direction of movement of the vehicle and axis y orthogonal to the other two axes.

According to the draft EC directive, we calculate the weighted acceleration in overallaw frequency according to the following ratio:

The overall weighted acceleration in frequency referring to actual time t of daily exposure giornaliera (aw,t) is corrected, with reference to 8 hours, according to the ratio:

Instruments and measurements

2-channel Larson Davis (L.D.) spectrum analyzer, mod. 2900 (reg. 242), calibration certification 2877 of 6/3/98 (SIT 68/E Centre), connected via cables to:

· Channel 1: a B&K 4370 accelerometer, 8.57 mV/(m/s-2), connected to an L.D. 900B preamplifier;

· canale 2: a B&K 4370 accelerometer, 8.17 mV/(m/s-2), connected to an L.D. 900B preamplifier.

The chain of measurement was verified using a B&K 4295 calibrator.

Since the platform indicated in ISO standard 5008 was not available, the accelerometers were positioned securely on each tractor, using a magnet, and using Channel 1 for the survey of component z of acceleration and Channel 2 alternatively for component x and y .

The data given by the measurements showe, each lasting about 1 minute, were used to calculaute values of weighted acceleration in frequency regarding the three components, and then, the highest values of each spatial component, the overall weighted acceleration was calculated for an exposure time of 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours, for each tractor monitored.

This method was used to measure the vibrations transmitted by the structure to the body in the standing position, without taking into account the suspension effect of the seat.

Analysis of the results and observations

The draft directive defines three refernence levels for vibrations on the entire body, referring to daily acceleration (exposure of 8 hours) aw,8h .

threshold level: 0.25 m s-2 ; acting level: 0.5 m s-2 ; maximum level: 0.7 m s-2 .

The values observed can actually be deemed to be the ones to which workers are exposed in the standing position (normally not used) inside the driver’s cab, or in any case the lower limbs of the workers while driving; the workers are exposed to these acceleration rates if the driver’s seat is not equipped with an adequate vibration attenuation system.

Whatever the phase of work under way, the Landini 7550 and International 7140 models show values beyond the levels of action and sometimes the maximim ones for use of the machine much less than 8 hours. The data on these two tractors also show definitely higher levels than for the other four tractors monitored, for which the overall weighted acceleration rates over 8 hours around the threshold level.

Two models of tractor (International 7140 and Fendt Favorit 818) were equipped with comfortable seats and antivibration systems.

The variables most affecting exposure to vibrations of the workers are:

1. The characteristics of the driver’s seat installed and the conditions of regulation of the seat (weight, height of the driver);

2. The working area of the tractor (flat ground or in a ploughed field);

3. Vehicle speed;

4. The presence of carried or towed equipment;

5. The use of the power take-off;

6. The state of maintenance and age.

In order to monitor in all the aspects of worker exposure to vibrations, we should continue the survey, monitoring other models of tractor and, for each model, taking measurements in the various operational situations.

Weighted acceleration according to hours of exposure aw,ih

Model	Tractor and Process	hours of exposure
		1	2	4	8
Landini 7550 sowing		0.316	0.447	0.632	0.893
International 7140 harrowing		0.436	0.617	0.873	1.234
Fendt Favorit 818 harrowing		0.109	0.155	0.219	0.309
Fiat 128 harrowing		0.098	0.139	0.197	0.278
Fiat 309 preparation herbicide mixture		0.093	0.132	0.187	0.264
International 644 in stationary position		0.097	0.138	0.195	0.275

Biological agents

Dangerous event: pathologies due to bacteria found in the farming world.

Prevention: There is the well-known risk of contracting tetanus, the prevention of which involves the obligation of vaccination since 1972; older workers are thus more exposed to risk.

During some processes such as irrigation, for example, the workers do their work in ditches and channels which are the habitat for rats. These animal can transmit diseases to man, such as leptospirosis, for example.

During ploughing and in other processes, organic substances, waste and manure from animal breeding are buried. There is thus possible exposure to microorganisms potentially harmful to man.

Measures for prevention are basically the correct use of individual protection devices (gloves, boots) during work phases involving risk.

Results of checking: no problems linked to this risk were recorded.

Other risks or organisational factors

Work organisation

Continuous work, night work:

Dangerous events: accidents, alteration of circadian rhythms.

Protection: ploughing, a primary process, sowing, determined by the period or climate, and irrigation, requiring considerable time but no particular accuracy, are processes also carried out at night. This is due to the urgency linked to weather conditions, as well as to cover the costs and make best use of the machines. Naturally, workers of are often asked to work very long shifts.

Long work shifts, without adequate rest to compensate, and also working on Saturday and Sunday, definitely lead to conditions of danger with the increased risk of accidents.

Results of checking: an accident that occurred in the last summer season during a normal operation of detaching from the tractor the turbine used for irrigation, is a good example of the increase of the risk due to fatigue.

The accident took place at about 6 o’clock in the morning after a night spent irrigating the fields; the victim, although an expert in this work, said he couldn’t understand how it happened, other than tiredness and loss of sleep.

When detached the turbine fell, causing the victim to fracture his femur (initial estimated recovery time 60 days).

Manual handling of loads

Dangerous events: trauma and lesions to the muscular-skeletal system.

This is a risk typical of some operations such as sowing, fertilising, pesticide use and others requiring the preparation and loading of machines and equipment, involving severe physical effort.

In the company fertilisers, pesticides, seed etc. are generally stored on pallets. The required amount is taken from them and then the machines are loaded.

Prevention: the loading and filling of hoppers is carried out manually; currently the manufacturing enterprises tend to produce sacks and tanks not exceeding 30 kg. The mere respect of this limit is not, however, an effective prevention system for all the workers.

The workers must implement specific actions to reduce the risk, such as asking another person for help to lift loads too heavy or with shapes making them difficult and tiring to grasp, lifting weights with legs suitably bent and, when possible, using mechanical devices such as trans-pallets or fork lifts.

An important role is played in prevention activity by specialised physicians, recently introduced for the sector concerned here and not yet widespread.

Results of checking: observing the work procedures, above all in the field, we see that precautions for this risk are hardly ever adopted.

Transit by road

Dangerous events: road accidents.

Protection: comply carefully with traffic rules and the specific for driving farm equipment on roads, without ever forgetting that the performance provided, for example, by tractors, are not the same as an automobile, and taking into consideration the loads and limitations due to equipment carried or towed.

Results of checking: there have been road accidents often caused by the excessive speed of the vehicles and the poor maintenance of the rural roads.

Difficult working conditions

Discomfort of personal protection devices

Dangerous events: exposure to dust, noise, accidents and long term harm.

Protection: during work in the field, the use of PPD is required only in case of the use of machines without sound-proof cabs and of adequate antidust filters.

During operations of preparing the equipment, for example filling the tanks and mixing for pesticides, or the loading of hoppers, the workers should be provided with and trained in the use of PPD and for the procedures of their conservation and maintenance.

Results of checking: as shown in the field, the use correct of PPD is something still left to personal habits. This is at least partly due to the fact that among employers there is a considerable underestimation of the risks, so that they, too, often fail to use PPD.

There is still poor knowledge about this equipment and sometimes improper use and poor conservation is observed; ear defenders or masks are often left in the cabs of the machines, or in any case not put away. Besides being a violation of the rules, this discourages use and makes them unhygienic.

Psychological factor

Intensity, monotony, isolation, repetitiveness of the work

Dangerous events: decrease of alertness and increase of the risk of accidents.

Prevention: work rhythms are still very intensive. In recent years, however, due to changes in the work organisation of the contractors, which have led to a decrease of the seasonal factor, we can observe a tendency to better distribute the rest and holiday periods, a time exploited only in the winter months when work necessarily stops.

Currently, work organisation involves the creation of work sites and doing several processes at the same time. Contracting often occurs for the work of whole farms or complete working phases. For example, contractors are hired to prepare the soil and for seeding, which involves the following processes: ploughing, harrowing, milling, fertilising, sowing and pesticide use. These operations can be conducted in series and finished with a work site in a few days, according to the extent of the land to be worked.

Results of checking: the situation described above occurs frequently in the area, although there is still work taking place in isolation, with all the drawbacks linked to monotony, repetitiveness, intensity or the difficulty of seeking help in case of need. The latter factor has aggravated the consequences of many accidents.

There is widespread use of mobile phones among workers in the sector, and this can be quite useful for reporting problems with machines or accidents, and in any case lessens loneliness and isolation.

Among the comforts installed in the more recent models of tractors, with cabs and air conditioning, there are often radios, which helps decrease the monotony.

Ergonomic factors

Knowledge and capacity of the personnel

Dangerous event: accidents with machines.

Protection: the personnel employed in this sector must have good basic training and experience and knowledge of the machines. In this respect, when engaged the workers must be trained and informed about the work procedures, related risks and machines used in the firm.

Results of checking: the survey shows that training is still scarce; training and information of employees has started only since Leg. Decree 626/94 came into force.

1.4 Expected harm"

Harm due to noise is assessed as a whole for all the processes in chapter 3.4 of the sector; the same occurs for the accident rate.

Assessment is now under way on the possible harm to the spinal column linked to vibrations caused by machines and to the handling of loads.

With regard to pesticides, given the amounts involved, are significant harm is not expected. There is still the risk of accidental acute intoxication, though rare reported as constantly stated in literature.

Subsequent chapters

 
 
1. WORK STAGE : Harvest, transport and silage
2. INAIL CODE : 1120
3. RISK FACTOR : Noise, vibrations, accidents from farm machinery
4. RISK CODE : 
5. N. WORKERS : 93

3.2. Harvest, transport and silage

3.2.1 The work stage

The harvest is the operation which more than any other quantified the economic result of the farming activity. This explains the use of very complex and expensive machines.

The operations linked to the harvest of produce (shredding, threshing, transport, drying and silage in horizontal layers), are operations, except for drying which is generally conducted by the farming enterprises, often conduced by contractors. This tendency is significant in agriculture in the Lodi area.

The machines used are exclusively of the self-advancing type and are include:

· Combine harvesters,

· Mower-cutter-loaders.

· Tractors

· Tracked vehicles

Trailers are also used to transport produce.

Generally, combine harvesters are used for the harvest of autumn-winter cereals and grain corn as well as for other crops, for example soybeans.

The other category of widely used machines includes mower-cutter-loaders. These are used for silage, the main technique for the conservation of feed. This machine is mainly used in the harvest of the entire corn plant and to a lesser extent for other crops such as autumn-winter cereals and pasturage feed.

After the reaping and shredding, the crops are transferred from the machine to trailers and taken to the farm. The shredded products are unloaded directly into the trailers next to the shredders during the process. The shredded produce is taken to the farm and stored in horizontal silos called trenches. The preparation of the latter is often contracted, and in some cases carried out jointly with farm personnel. The shredded produce unloaded in the trenches from the wagons undergoes compression treatment, in order to reduce the volume and make it sufficiently compact, thus ensuring proper conservation. The compacting of trenches is conducted with wheeled and track-laying tractors as well as other heavy equipment such as bulldozers.

There follows an outline of the harvest operations.

OUTLINE

" REAPING - THRESHING "

Period	spring, summer and autumn
Purpose	harvest of produce from fields
Description	cutting and threshing
Operations	the main operations conducted by these machines can be summarised as follows: cutting, hulling, separation of the grain from stem, cleaning of grain, loading of grain in the tank and finally unloading.
Personnel	tractor drivers
Duration	corn 0.4 / 1 ha/hour barley etc. 0.6 / 1.3 ha/hour

"SHREDDING "

Period	spring, summer and autumn
Purpose	harvest of produce from fields
Description	cutting, shredding and loading
Operations	the main operations conducted by these machines can be summarised as follows: cutting, shredding and loading
Personnel	tractor drivers
Duration	feed 0.7 / 1.2 ha/hour waxy corn 1.5 / 2 ha/hour

SILAGE"

Period	spring, summer and autumn
Purpose	harvest of produce from fields
Description	cutting, shredding and loading
Operations	the main operations conducted by these machines can be summarised as follows: cutting, shredding and loading
Personnel	tractor drivers

3.2.2 Equipment, Machines and Plant"

Machines

COMBINE HARVESTER	Combine harvester formed by: Cutter bar which according to the type of cereal harvested includes a platform for straw cereals and with a cob huller for corn; 1. Cutting platform: formed by a bar with oscillating blade, lifter to lift the stalk bundles, lateral separators, pickup reel with cross-pieces 2. Corn head: formed by a shielded frame forming a set with a variable number of points; these house the chains of the feeder with teeth at regular intervals. The chains have the purpose of catching and tearing the cobs, conveying them into the unloader spout screws Feed sections of thresher: these are equipped with cross-wise screws designed to feed the thresher sections Thresher device: formed by a beater with bars or teeth and, a reverse-beater Separator: device after the beater performing a second threshing and sending plant residues to straw shakers Cleaning device: consists of a hopper for initial cleaning and a fan Grain hopper: a hopper to the rear of the cab, with volume usually between 6000 and 9000 litres. Emptying takes place through a telescopic unloading spout Cab: positioned and structured in such a way as to guarantee that the operator has good visibility of the work area. The steering column is located in the front part, while the control levers with the various control devices are located on one side of the driver’s seat
MOWER-SHREDDER	This consists of the mower device, shredder device and loader. The shredder device is the distinguishing element of these machines. It can be of the rotary or drum type, with the axial or disc arrangement of the cutters, with cutters positioned radially. The most widespread types are undoubtedly those axial rotary cutters. They consist of a drum on which there is a series of cutters or blades, turned by about 1/3 of its length by an adjustable plate often defined as uniformity grate. The moving part produces an air flow which, together with the shredding, conveys the produce to the loading spout consisting of a telescopic tube.
TRAILERS FOR TRANSPORT OF HARVEST	There are various types of trailers with different sizes and characteristics according to the number of axles, the possibility of tipping the hopper and whether or not there is traction. Furthermore, some trailers are equipped with supplementary openings.

In the 30 enterprises the following items were identified:

Number Average age

Combine harvesters 66 9.2

Mower-shredder-loaders 30 6.9

Age	Combine harvesters	Mower-shredder-loaders
10 years	32	22
10-15 years	29	6
15 years	5	2

All of the machines considered are equipped with cabs with air conditioning; in any case, it is unusual to find machines without air conditioning or cabs in the Lodi area.

Heads

Type of head	Combine harvesters	Mower-shredder-loaders
For corn (cob huller)	48	13
For grain	42	15
For shredding	-	25
For grass	-	18

On the basis of reference regulations, the following check lists of the machines and heads are listed, based on the verification of the main safety elements.

MACHINE: COMBINE HARVESTER.

Reference legislation: Pres. Decree 547/55, Circ. Min. Labour n.30/80, Standard UNI-CUNA 9453, May 1989

INFORMATION AND NOTES

Each machine must be provided with an instruction and maintenance booklet.

Use and maintenance must comply with the parameters recommended by the manufacturer.

All the maintenance/replacement operations should be registered.

WARNING LABELS

The machine must be have warning labels showing the main rules of behaviour useful for safety purposes.

ACCESS LADDER

The ladder or steps must be integral parts of the machine;

The ladder must be equipped with a railing and/or handles and formed by flat steps (except for the first step); the railing and steps are integral parts of the machine; the steps must have slip-proof surface;

The first step must be at a height not exceeding 55 cm (in case of self-levelling or tracked vehicles the height may be up to 70 cm).

The interval between the steps must be between 20 and 35 cm.

DRIVER’S SEAT AND SERVICE PLATFORM

These must be equipped with protect to prevent the driver from falling off.

The platform of the driver’s seat and, if applicable, the service platform must be flat; the walking surface must be slip-proof in order to avoid any accumulation of water.

The platform of the driver’s seat and the service platform must be equipped with a normal railing and footguard or equivalent protection.

The entry opening for persons or for the handling of material must be equipped with a mobile barrier.

HEAD FUNCTIONING DEVICE

The machine must be designed to block the head start-up device in the off position so that accidental start-up is inhibited.

SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR TRANSMISSIONS

The moving parts and Cardan shafts must be protected.

CORN HARVESTER HEAD

Reference legislation: Pres. Decree 547/55, Circ. Min. Labour 30/80, Standard UNI-CUNA 9453, May 1989

PROTECTION OF THE CONVEYOR SCREW

There must be an upper protection in metal plate or a close-knit grate, tilted slightly forward, for the whole length of the head.

The upper side of the protection must be at least 1 m. from the axle of the conveyor screw.

On the sides the protection must designed in order to separate the connecting points between the platform and conveyor screw by at least cm. 85 from the side.

Inside, the protection and wall beneath must have points for possible support, and thus be free from protuberances or inlets.

For particular requirements related to road transport, the protection of the conveyor screw must be designed to be tilted forward, and in any case hinged below.

HEAD FOR HARVESTING GRAIN, LEGUMES AND SIMILAR

Reference legislation: Pres. Decree 547/55, Circ. Min. Labour 30/80, Standard UNI-CUNA 9453, May 1989

PROTECTION OF THE CONVEYOR SCREW OF THE CUTTER PLATFORM (MACHINES FOR GRAIN, LEGUMES AND SIMILAR)

The cutter platform must be fitted, on the rear and sides, with protection designed to prevent the reaching of any catching points between the platform and the conveyor screw; this protection must separate the screw at least 1 mt. from the edge on the upper part and cm. 85 laterally on the side not in contact with the harvested produce.

For particular requirements related to road transport, the protection of the conveyor screw must be designed to be tilted forward, and in any case hinged below.

The external sides of the wheel must have full walls and without protruding parts.

There must be a fully visible label warning the driver that in case of blockage of the conveyor screw, the transmission to the conveyor screw must be detached or inverted, and that on sloping ground, before stopping the engine, the machine must be brought to a flat position.

MACHINE: MOWER-CUTTER-LOADER.

Reference legislation: Pres. Decree 547/55, Circ. Min. Labour n.57/81, standard UNI-CUNA 9454, July 1989

INFORMATION AND NOTES

Each machine must be provided with an instruction and maintenance booklet.

Use and maintenance must comply with the parameters recommended by the manufacturer.

All the maintenance/replacement operations should be registered.

The machine must be have warning labels showing the main rules of behaviour useful for safety purposes.

DRIVER’S SEAT AND SERVICE PLATFORM (HEIGHT EXCEEDING M. 1.5)

The access must be equipped with steps, a railing and/or handles and flat steps with slip-proof surface (except for the first step)

The first step must be at a height not exceeding 55 cm;

The interval between steps must be between 20 and 35 cm.

The ladder and steps must be integral parts of the machine

The platform must be equipped with protection for the driver from falling down:

The platform of the driver’s seat and, if applicable, the service platform, must be flat; the walking surface must be slip proof in order to avoid any accumulation of water.

The platform of the driver’s seat and the service platform must be equipped with a normal railing and footguard or equivalent protection.

The entry opening for persons or for the handling of material must be equipped with a mobile, rigid, non-removable barrier, and designed to be set in the closed position.

PROTECTION OF TRANSMISSION

The control and monitoring parts must be clearly visible and easily identifiable.

The moving parts and Cardan joints must be protected.

PROTECTION OF THE SHREDDER BLADE (ROTOR)

This must be equipped with protection of the rotor blades, also during sharpening.

HEAD FOR GRAIN HARVEST

Protection of the collector

A rigid bar, allowing for adequate tightness, must extend along the whole width of the collector.

The bar must be at a height of between 70 and 100 cm from the ground, and be at least 20 cm, in front and on the accessible sides, from the rotating part of the collector.

Protection from access to the conveyor screw (also applies to the head with produce cutter bar)

The working area of the conveyor screw must be equipped with rear and lateral protection in order to prevent access to the dangerous conveyor points between the table and conveyor screw.

Protection must be at least 85 cm from these dangerous points on the edge, or alternatively the conveyor screw must be shielded below and laterally.

HEAD FOR THE HARVEST OF CORN

Lateral protection of the head

A rigid bar, designed for easy hold, must be installed on the outer covers of the head and placed at a height no lower than m. 1 from the ground, adjustable, for operational requirements, up to m.1.5.

The length of the bar must be equal to the conveyor chains and the points smoothed into half-rings.

Protection of any conveyor screw:

If the head has a conveyor screw, this must be protected above and laterally in such a way as to prevent access to the dangerous points.

3.2.3 The risk factor

Safety risks	Protection of start-up devices	Threshing and shredding
	Protection transmission components	Threshing and ploughing
	Protection of moving parts	Heads of the shredders and threshers
	* Other measures for machines	Threshers and shredders
	* Getting on and off machines	Threshers and shredders
	Machines with and without EC seal	Threshers, shredders, trailers, bulldozers
Risks for environmental health	Dust from inhaling	Threshing, shredding, transfer to trailers and preparation of trenches
	Noise	Threshing, shredding and trenches
	Vibrations	Threshing, shredding and trenches
	Biological agents	Threshing, shredding and trenches
Other risks or organisational factors	Continuous work, night work	Threshing and shredding
	* Transit by road	Transfer of machines and trailers
	Ergonomics of PPD	Preparation of trenches
	Intensity, monotony, isolation	Threshing and shredding
	Knowledge and capacity of personnel	Threshing and shredding

* The asterisk indicates the risks not included in the ISPESL classification.

The towing of trailers for the handling of products, and the preparation of trenches is normally performed with tractors. For the specific risks of tractors see the previous section on farm tractors in chapter 3.1, “Working the land and agricultural practices".

Safety risks: safety drawbacks of machines

Protection of start-up devices

Dangerous events: catching, dragging and crushing.

Protection: in order to avoid accidental start-up of the heads, the control device must be fixed in the off position. Any devices returning automatically to the on position when released must be eliminated.

Results of checking: From results of checking conducted in 1995-96, we see that only a minority of the machines examined (about 14%) are equipped with improper start-up devices of the heads. From the documents of assessment examined and inspection made over the past years, these problems have been virtually eliminated.

Protection of the transmission components

Dangerous events: catching, dragging, cutting.

Protection: The components transmitting movement - shafts, belts, pulleys, chains, geared wheels, gears - must be protected with shields preventing access to moving parts. The protection can be removed only in case of maintenance, using special tools. Before starting work, ensure that all the protection and shields are correctly installed.

Results of checking: From results of checking conducted in 1995-96, we see that the majority of the machines examined (about the 60%) are equipped with inadequate protection of transmission. This figure has fallen in recent years, also due to the updating of the machine stock and the adopting of machines equipped with the EC seal.

Protection of moving parts

Dangerous events: catching, dragging and crushing, often with fatal consequences.

Protection: the heads for corn and for cereals, legumes and similar, both for combine harvesters and mower-thresher-loaders, must be protected according to the indications shown in the machine instructions. In case of slowdown or blockage of any moving parts, avoid any intervention until the motor has been turned off.

Results of checking: From results of checking conducted in 1995-96, we see that just over half of the corn heads examined are equipped with inadequate lateral protection, a percentage rising to about 70% for rear protection.

For cutter platforms for grain, legumes and similar, about half of the lateral protection was not suitable, a percentage rising to about 80% for protection of wheels.

Other measures for machines

Dangerous events: catching, dragging, crushing etc.

Protection: with the combine harvester or the mower-shredder-loader in operation, do not undertake any type of intervention, do not remove protective carters and do not touch moving parts.

Always wear suitable work clothes such as suits with cuffs securely closed or rolled up.

Before resuming work after any maintenance, replace all the protection, verify that no loosened part have been forgotten and that any tools used have been removed from the machine.

Results of checking: in 1997 an accident occurred during maintenance in the filed; when a worker was trying to unblock a mechanism with the machine running, his right hand was caught, causing serious lesions to tendons and bone.

Getting on and off machines:

Dangerous events: falling and slipping

Protection: the access ladder to the driver’s seat must be equipped with a parapet, railing, or handles. The steps must be flat and slip-proof, and properly dimensioned; the same applies to the platform of the driver’s seat and the service platforms.

When the machines are moving, the driver must be correctly seated at the driver’s seat and never carry passengers, not even in driver’s cab; he must not get on and off with the machine running. In the more recent models this is not possible because the movement is only with controls that require direct manning.

It would also be highly desirable to use the protective systems with which the machines are equipped, for example getting off of the machines using the steps and handles, and avoiding any jumping from the platform to the ground.

Results of checking: most of the accidents related to machines are due to slipping or falling, in some cases with serious diagnoses and sometimes very long-lasting consequences.

Machines with EC seal and machines without the seal:

Dangerous events: accidents

Protection: the machines with the EC seal comply with safety and health requirements regarding the design and manufacture of the machines and of the safety components contained in the annexe of Presidential Decree 459/96.

Results of checking: combine harvesters, mower-cutter-loaders and trailers purchased after Presidential Decree 459/96 came into force have the EC seal; for the machines purchased previously compliance with the previous laws and rules on safety is required in any case.

Risks for environmental health

Chemical agents

Dust

Dangerous events: the processes linked to the harvest of produce, combine harvesting, shredding, loading and unloading of products from trailers, for both grain and shredded corn, and finally the preparation of the trenches cause the spread of dust and the consequent risk of inhaling.

Protection: the most effective protection systems guarantee sufficiently reduced exposure, the presence of a closed cab and air conditioned for all types of machines. We should recall the importance of the maintenance of the air conditioning plant.

Results of checking: in the sample observed all the machines for harvest were equipped with a cab and air conditioning plant.

For the preparation of the trenches, however, track-laying tractors or more frequently bulldozers, generally without a closed cab, were also used.

Physical agents

Noise

Dangerous events: The machines for harvest, in particular le mower-cutter-loaders, are very noisy, being very powerful machines.

Protection: the most effective protection system is a soundproof cab.

Results of checking: during the autumn harvest of 1996, field surveys were conducted next to the driver’s seat; these data are representative of the exposure of both seasonal workers, involved exclusively in the use of shredders and threshers for an estimated time of approximately 580 hours, and full-time workers who undertake all the processes, including the harvest.

A total of 19 machines were monitored, mainly combine harvesters and shredders, 3 bulldozers used for the preparation of the trenches and a machine for tomato harvesting, a crop that is increasingly common in the Lodi area.

Although all the machines on which measurements were made were equipped with cabs and air conditioning, the older ones exposed the driver to equivalent levels of about 85 and in some cases 90 dB(A). The Level of Exposure of Personnel - daily (Lep,d) of the seasonal workers using exclusively self-advancing machines such as shredders or combine harvesters were calculated at 83 dB(A). For full-time workers undertaking various duties, including the use of tractors or bulldozers for other processes, the Lep,d was 84dB(A).

A Bruel Kjaer model 2230 integrator phonometer was used for measurements; the duration of the measurements varied from a few minutes for processes with constant sound level, to about one hour or more for processes with variable time.

SELF-ADVANCING MACHINES - EQUIVALENT LEVEL MEASUREMENTS

(March - November 1996)

Year of manufacture	Model	TYPE MACHINE	Leq measured (dBa)
1988	CLASS 695	shredder for barley	87
1993	JOHN DEERE 6710	shredder for barley	82
1984	JOHN DEERE 5820	shredder for barley	86
1986	JOHN DEERE 5830	shredder for barley	94
1990	JOHN DEERE 1188	combine harvester for wheat	78 83
1994	JOHN DEERE 2058	combine harvester for wheat	78
1996	JOHN DEERE 6810	shredder for corn	80
1995	JOHN DEERE 6810	shredder for corn	81
1993	JOHN DEERE 6710	shredder for corn	79
1986	JOHN DEERE 5830	shredder for corn	90
1986	CLASS 690	shredder for corn	84
1988	CLASS 695	shredder for corn	85
1992	PMI	bulldozer	90
1991	PANCOTTI	bulldozer	85
1980	JOHN DEERE	bulldozer	97
1995		machine for tomato harvest	90 93
1989	INTERNATIONAL 1480	combine harvester for corn	84
1994	JOHN DEERE 2058	combine harvester	81
1989	CLASS 98	combine harvester	79

The trend of the Leq rates observed was assessed in accordance with the age of shredders and combine harvesters; the newer the machines, the lower the equivalent noise levels observed, up to under 80 dB(A) in the most recent models.

Vibrations

Dangerous events: long term physical harm. The prolonged use of large machines such as shredders or combine harvesters, the driving of tractors, especially when towing trailers, or the preparation of trenches, expose workers to vibrations in the entire body.

Protection: measures, in particular on the large self-advancing machines, to eliminate or reduce the problem of vibrations which is highly complex. The problem can only be solved by the use of new machines, since manufacturers have recently dedicated great attention to this factor.

For older machines a few rules should be followed: carefully perform all the maintenance measures recommended by the manufacturers and replace, when necessary the worn parts and always keep all the gears lubricated.

When driving the machines, whether tractors or self-advancing machines equipped with the necessary ergonomic and antivibration seats, it is indispensable to make the two adjustments (correlated to the weight and height of the driver), otherwise the cushion effect of the seat may not be achieved and in the long term its correct functioning harmed.

With regard to the transport of produce, we can stress some factors:

· The presence of towing, which inevitably produces vibrations;

· The type of field, a rural road or paved road for driving;

· The type of tractor;

· Speed.

Results of checking: for the machines and processes examined here, except for tractors, instrument measurements were not conducted.

In any case some observations can be made:

· The older machines have poor ergonomic qualities and are definitely more subject to shock and vibrations;

· The more recent machines are equipped with anti-vibration seats and a cab making the stay in the cab very comfortable, according to the users.

It should be recalled that the stock of self-advancing machines used by the contractors in the Lodi area has an average age of 5 years.

Other risks or organisational factors

Work organisation

Continuous work, night work

Dangerous events: accidents, alteration of circadian rhythms.

Protection: the harvest is a process often conducted also at night. This is due to the urgency linked to weather conditions, as well as to cover the costs and make best use of the machines. Naturally, workers of are often asked to work very long shifts.

Long work shifts, without adequate rest to compensate, and also working on Saturday and Sunday for a rather long period (up to 60-70 working days) can lead to conditions of danger with the increased risk of accidents compared to other processes.

Results of checking: in recent years this pattern has been changing; the solution used more frequently is the hiring of seasonal workers, generally personnel normally employed in agriculture.

Transit by road

Dangerous events: road accidents.

Protection: the moving of large machines such as shredders and combine harvesters is a dangerous operation and besides the special authorisations for driving on roads, must be conducted with all due caution. Always properly escort and signal machines during transit by road and pay equal attention to transit on rural roads, given the large size of these machines. Furthermore, combine harvesters, during transit on rural roads, are coupled to heads, which increases the danger level.

The transit of trailers must also be conducted with due caution, in compliance with the rules on traffic. Tractors of adequate power must be used for towing, with an approved towing attachment suited to the capacity of the trailer.

Results of checking: nothing was reported for the road transit of self-advancing machines.

Accidents have occurred on rural roads due to improper transit procedures and cases of the turning over of trailers towed by tractors. The cause is generally due to excessive speed. The events have not involved major accidents for the population studied.

Difficult working conditions

Discomfort of PPD

Dangerous events: exposure to dust and/or noise, accidents.

Protection: the use of PPD is required only in case of the use of machines without sound-proof cabs and adequate antidust facilities, for example bulldozers or track-laying tractors used for the preparation of trenches. Also during extraordinary maintenance of machines, sometimes conducted directly in the field, the use adequate PPD, for example gloves and/or safety shoes, is recommended.

Results of checking: Some workers, mainly the younger ones, are provided with noise protection devices for driving tractors, and above all bulldozers.

Resistance to the use of PPD is unfortunately still very widespread, so that PPD equipment is hardly ever used in “critical” situations, such as often occur in extraordinary maintenance.

Ergonomic factors

Knowledge and capacity of personnel

Dangerous event: accidents with machines with risks of involving third parties not directly involved in the work.

Protection: it is essential to have adequate training and information of the personnel on the work to be done and the related risks, on the functioning of machines, on knowledge of the instruction and maintenance booklet and on precise work procedures.

Results of checking: the survey shows that training is still scarce. It is non-existent for seasonal workers employed for the harvest.

3.2.4 Expected harm

Harm due to noise is assessed as a whole for all the processes in chapter 3.4 of the sector; the same occurs for the accident rate.

Assessment is now under way on the possible harm to the spinal column linked to vibrations caused by machines and to the handling of loads.

Subsequent chapters

 
 
1. WORK STAGE : Maintenance and storage
2. INAIL CODE : 6340
3. RISK FACTOR : risks from structural drawbacks, safety risks
4. RISK CODE : 
5. N.WORKERS : 81

3.3. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINES DEPOT

3.3.1 Work stage

DEPOTS

Depots are used to store machines and equipment, protecting them from the weather; in periods of use machines and equipment are stored under porticoes or in sheds and remain assembled and ready for use.

In periods of disuse they are stored in the same structures, trying to use as little space as possible. For this purpose the machines are parked as close as possible and the equipment and dismounted parts of machines are sometimes piled up.

MAINTENANCE

The cleaning, level verification and greasing of all the devices of the tractor are the basic operations of an ordinary maintenance plan.

In the farming situation examined, though with different objectives and needs, maintenance assume plays a primary role in the organisation of the use of multi-use machines in order to achieve top level performance. The smaller enterprises tend to perform maintenance limited to the end and beginning of the period of use of the machines, and in case of breakdowns.

There follows an outline description of the maintenance to be performed on some machines and equipment.

· Tractor

MOTOR: the maintenance on the motor consists mainly in the operations of lubricating, changing filters and cleaning of the cooling plant

HYDRAULIC and TRANSMISSION SYSTEM: cleaning filters and the entire circuit, checking the state of pipes and replacement of the rubber tubes of the circuit at least every 1000 hours.

3-POINT HITCH: hydraulic lifter is widely used for various applications and consequently there is increasing wear. In order to ensure that this device is kept perfectly efficient, it is important to perform the complete lubrication every 500 hours.

FRONT AXLE: it is of primary importance in making the tractor manoeuvrable, so that great care is required here. Verify each year the conditions of the bolts and bearings of the front wheels. Change the oil in axle box at least every 1500 hours.

TYRES: if improperly inflated there can be wear and deterioration, with resulting risk of accidents, poor adherence of thus poor stability. Regulate the pressure in accordance with real loads on the tyres.

· Ploughs

Storage and replacement of the worn parts.

· Milling machines and harrows

Replacement of worn parts: "teeth, cutters and blades" and bearing of the transmission components.

· Seeding machines

Replacement of discs or furrowing devices and of the distribution gears.

Fertiliser spreaders

Replacement of plates and bearings of the distributor plate.

Pesticide tanks

· Cleaning and replacement of nozzles, attachment of nozzle holder to the bar, packing, tubes, connections, faucets and clips;

· Checking of aspiration filters, pump and hydraulic circuit;

· Verification of the efficiency of the gauge;

· Lubrication of joints and gears.

• Turbines and irrigators

Greasing of the transmission components (chains, pinions) and replacement of belts, pulleys and bearings.

· Weed cutter and dump bucket or hydraulic loader

Greasing of transmission components (jacks and bearings); for the cutter only the whips and discs are replaced.

· Combine harvester

Everything must be done as stated in the instruction and maintenance manual supplied with the machine.

Ordinary maintenance consists mainly in lubrication, checking of levels, checking of the tightness and the adjustment of belts, and cleaning.

There should be almost daily inspection of the motor and radiators, the harvesting head, the various chains, sieves and straw shakers.

These measures have the purpose of eliminating produce and dust residues which, besides limiting the production capacity of the combine harvester, these could cause breakage in various gears.

Extraordinary maintenance related above all to working conditions and the produce harvested.

This involves a series of measures, at intervals of about 1000/1500 hours, aimed at checking and replacing any parts which could adversely affect the proper functioning and reliability of the machine.

In particular, checking on the wear of the bars in the beater and reverse-beater, and of the conveyor screws, is required.

· Mower-cutter-loader

The most important parts that must be checked and lubricated at regular intervals are:

· The feeder roll control gearbox,

· The chain of the conveyor screw,

· The body of the cutter rotor, with calibration and sharpening of the cutters, the regulation of the reverse-blade and of uniformity grid,

· The idler of the transmission belt of the cutter rotor,

· The gears of the launching spout and telescopic joints.

In our area, ordinary maintenance at the end of harvest is usually performed quite carefully by the contractors. The machines are cleaned and checked before storage. Maintenance during harvest is less regular, often being limited to operations of greasing and lubrication and the replacement of broken parts.

3.3.2 Equipment, Machines, Plant and Structures"

Buildings

The buildings, whether depots or maintenance workshops, vary considerably and are built of widely differing materials. They range from the porticoes of old brick farm building, sometimes in poor condition, to open metal sheds and built specially prefabricated reinforced concrete sheds.

Roofs

The roofs range from brick roof-tiles to prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs. Fibre-cement roofs, usually containing asbestos, are quite frequent.

Floors

The floors range from compressed earth to polished and bushhammered cement with quartz treatment.

Electric systems

The electric systems rarely comply with current regulations. In most cases work is under way for the creation or updating of plant according to Law 46/90. In the old buildings, besides being obsolete, the systems often lack minimum safety features, both for guaranteeing the safety of persons from direct or indirect contacts, and for avoiding the risk of fire.

Ground connections and lightning rods, even when these exist, are rarely reported to the ISPESL (Art. Pres. Decree 547/55, Form B and Form A).

Fire-fighting facilities

Most of the enterprises of the sector, given the size of the storage depots and the number of the machines stored, are required to have a Fire Prevention Certificate.

Most of the fire-fighting facilities are currently being updated and applications have been made for the Fire Prevention Certificate.

Naturally, the larger the firms and/or the more contract work they do, the more modern and dedicated their buildings and plant.

3. The risk factor

For the risk factors typical of the machine workshop operations, see the risks of the workshop processes and mechanical carpentry.

Safety risks	Area of the environment	storage
	Floors	storage
	Lighting	storage and maintenance
	* Ventilation	storage and maintenance
	* Transit paths	storage
	Exits	storage
	Risks due to poor electrical safety	storage and maintenance
	Fire risks	storage
Risks for environmental health	Smoke and vapour	storage and maintenance
	Noise	maintenance
	Vibrations	maintenance
Other risks or organisational factors	Manual handling of loads	storage and maintenance

* The asterisk indicates the risks not included in the ISPESL classification.

Safety risks

Risks from structural drawbacks

Area of the environment

Dangerous events: shock, cutting, tripping and falling.

Prevention: store the machines and equipment in facilities having an area that allows for access for handling, and for attachment and detachment.

Results of checking: the machines and equipment used are generally stored in closed sheds, open sheds or porticoes; the spaces are often small and equipment is placed in the least space possible. In the larger enterprises there are proper sheds.

Floors

Dangerous events: falling and hitting of material, with consequent crushing of the hands or other parts of the body.

Prevention: the floor of depots must be regular and even in order to resist the weight of the machines and equipment stored there.

Results of checking: under porticoes in particular, floors are often in flattened earth and are very often irregular, with the presence of holes or dips. When the stability of the equipment is not ensured, improvised stops or supports are used.

Lighting

· Lighting of depots:

Dangerous events: errors during attachment and positioning of the equipment, in particular when working with the help of a person on the ground, with consequent crushing of the hands or other parts of the body.

Prevention: increase lighting with plant installed according to proper technical rules.

Results of checking: in the conditions examined, about 50% of storage places in recently built sheds comply with the requirement of adequate lighting.

· Maintenance workshops:

Dangerous events: increase of the accident risk.

Prevention: increase lighting with plant installed according to proper technical rules.

Results of checking: apart from a few cases of large size enterprises, lighting, whether natural or artificial, is unsuitable and currently being updated.

Ventilation

Dangerous events: fire and explosion.

Prevention: in case of depots located in old structures without windows or in sheds, the facilities should be checked for avoiding any accumulation of harmful or inflammable vapour and in particular to favour the expulsion of exhaust of the motors when the machines are started up. The maintenance workshops have the same problem, in particular when welding, grinding and painting operations are conducted.

Results of checking: newly built sheds have good natural ventilation, but there is no local aspiration plant.

Transit paths

Dangerous events: being hit by moving machines.

Prevention: the depots must have enough room for manoeuvres and transit paths that are well defined and kept absolutely clear.

Results of checking: the storage facilities for agricultural machinery are characterised by serious crowding of machines, made more critical by the fact that the physical shape of machines and equipment is often already dangerous as such. Only a small minority of depots, usually in the larger enterprises, comply with safety conditions for transit paths.

Exits

Dangerous events: fire, being hit by moving machines.

Prevention: there must be a sufficient number of exits to ensure work in safe conditions and to guarantee easy exit in case of fire. In case of very large sheds there should be several exits usable a according to the system for storing the machines, and with sizes favouring easy transit of vehicles. By law, there must be exits exclusively for personnel placed next to the vehicle exits. These doors must be openable outwards, and if they are emergency exits, openable by pushing, giving access to a safe place and be indicated in such a way as to be seen also in large shed with machines stored. The exits must be kept clear from obstacles and material.

Results of checking: inspections have shown compliance with the structural rule with regard to the new buildings and the absence of suitable exits in the old buildings. A condition frequently found is the blockage of exits due to the parking of machines.

Risks due to poor electrical safety

Dangerous events: electrocution, fire.

Prevention: updating of plant pursuant to Law. 46/90, besides guaranteeing from the risk of direct or indirect contacts, greatly reduces the fire risk. Similar considerations apply for the updating of the ground plant, verification of its functioning and the document requirements.

Results of checking: the electrical plant of old buildings is often obsolete and lacking most of the minimum safety requirements. All the electrical systems are currently being updated.

Risks of fire

Dangerous events: fire.

Prevention: the risk level depends on the number of machines stored, the standards of the electrical plant, the presence of inflammable material in the depots or workshops, the operations that take place there and the characteristics of the materials composing the building. For example, there is greater risk when the depot contains vehicles with fuel on board. For all depots and workshops careful assessment must be made of compliance with the rules on fire prevention. In any case, a sufficient number of extinguishers, periodically checked, must be placed in suitable and easily accessible locations. A fire-fighting emergency plan and the presence of suitably trained personnel are in any case necessary.

Results of checking: Field inspections have shown a general underestimation of the problem. Many enterprises are currently ensuring compliance with fire-fighting rules.

Risks for environmental health

Smoke and vapour

Dangerous events: accidents and occupational diseases (respiratory tract).

Prevention: as already stated above for the risk regarding ventilation, in case of depots located in old buildings without windows or in sheds the standards of general ventilation must be checked, in order to avoid any accumulation of harmful or inflammable vapour, in particular to favour the expulsion of engine exhaust gas when the machines are started. The maintenance workshops have the same problem, in particular when welding , grinding and painting operations are conducted. For the latter operations suitable local aspiration plant is required.

Results of checking: in the workshops visited there was local aspiration plant capable of expelling welding vapour and grinding dust; there was likewise no local aspiration plant for painting, although this is occasionally carried out. Very often, however, the above processes are performed in the open or under porticoes or open sheds, thus reducing the risk for the workers.

Noise and vibrations

Personnel is assigned exclusively to the workshops on in a very few cases. For them we should refer, with all due caution, to the risks due to noise and vibrations present in workshop and mechanical carpentry operations.

Other risks or organisational factors

Manual handling of loads:

Dangerous events: trauma and lesions to the muscular-skeletal system.

Prevention: the problem occurs in the handling of parts of machines and equipment, and during maintenance. The personnel must be trained on the correct postures for undertaking the work and one person alone (an adult male) cannot lift more than 30 Kg, but the mere respect of this limit is not an effective prevention system for all the workers.

The workers must implement specific actions to reduce the risk, such as asking another person for help to lift loads too heavy or with shapes making them difficult and tiring to grasp, lifting weights with legs suitably bent and, when possible, using mechanical devices such as trans-pallets or fork lifts.

An important role is played in prevention activity by specialised physicians, recently introduced for the sector concerned here and not yet widespread.

Results of checking: observing the work procedures, we see that precautions for this risk are hardly ever adopted.

3.3.4 Expected harm"

Harm due to noise is assessed as a whole for all the processes in chapter 3.4 of the sector; the same occurs for the accident rate.

Assessment is now under way on the possible harm to the spinal column linked to vibrations caused by machines and to the handling of loads.

The survey revealed an accident rate, significant both for the number and seriousness, due to mechanical maintenance activities