GUIDELINES ON SAFETY

(An aide memoir for crews and event organisers)

Annex A

1.       Safety of Crew and Public is paramount at all times.

• Safety Cell to be used when working.  (See explanation and diagram)

• If public enter working area/Safety Cell or crew are in positions where they risk injury, work must halt immediately.

2.       Steam Winching-in:

• Driver must not to be distracted by public and/or mobile phones not to be used whilst  operating engine/tackle. 

• It is absolutely vital the driver keeps an eye on the implement at all times when pulling

• Follow ploughman's directions.

• Use agreed hand or whistle signals only.

• On no account leave the footplate when work is in progress.

3.       Paying out engine:

• Driver to watch plough away until it has settled into the work.  Or if the other engine is not in view, until the plough passes from view or under the care of an appointed flagman (standing in a safe position)

• Ensure that the implement and crew are in good sight of the other engine driver and there is no need to halt the winching engine before attending to the fire etc.

• Remember that when a pull starts, the implement is being controlled by the driver at the other end of the field who may not be able to see fully what is going on.

4.       Know your engine and your implement

• Make sure all your crew, especially inexperienced members, are briefed on hazards (engine and implement) before work commences.

• Inexperienced crew must remain under supervision of a competent person

• Crew of engine winching the implement are familiar with the operation and limitations of both equipments.

• Screw shackles should be avoided on Cultivator Y bars as the turning movement at the end of the pull can loosen or unscrew such shackles. A shackle with a pin and cotter is recommended.

 5.       Boiler has been maintained in accordance with NTET code of practice

• Current certificate in force issued by competent authority.

• Safety devices (safety valves, fusible plugs, pressure gauge, water gauge etc) are correctly fitted, operating and giving true readings

• Seals and joints have been inspected for leakage and found steam tight

6.       If you get in the way of the machinery it does not stop

• Beware at all times

• Be aware of others who may not understand the risks, characteristics or limitations of the equipment.

7.       Rope appropriate to Steam Ploughing only to be used

• Owner/operator to confirm suitability and condition of rope and effectiveness of coiling gear.

• Rope and eye is to be in good order and rope monitored during pulls.  Properly formed/spliced in eyes or figure of 8 links are preferred and dog clips should be avoided.

• If rope deteriorates - appropriate action taken and/or work stopped.

• Rope splicing only to be undertaken by a competent person.

8.       Moving the engine in public areas

• A steward or crewmember should be present to walk with the engine and warn public.

• A steers person is to be used in addition to the engine driver

• Crew operating engine must have an appropriate driving licence.

• Road gear bracket/gear change safety pins (where fitted) should be used when moving an engine in public areas to ensure the gears remain engaged.  Pin engagement is not however necessary when moving up when working.

9.       Adequate Scotch block with engine is essential.

• Scotch must be robust and placed behind or in front of wheel as appropriate to prevent the engine from being moved whilst pulling the implement.

• Especially whilst working on a slope, care must be taken to ensure no public or crew are direction of travel should an engine over run the scotch.

10.     Clothing and Crews

• Appropriate clothing for the task is paramount for personal safety, such as robust boots, long trousers /overalls etc. 

• Shorts and sandals offer no protection from hot pipes/surfaces or burst gauge glasses.

• Beware long coats and sleeves getting caught in open gearing.

• Brief crews before work so that all understand working methods.

 11.     General Points

• Use the safety cell method or work in a roped off area

• Ideally, a first aid kit should be carried and one member of the crew is a competent first aider or one on hand at the event.

• Use agreed signals and working method.

• If in doubt: STOP, CHECK, MAKE SAFE.

• It’s not a race

• Safety is paramount

• Public and crew are here to enjoy themselves and the experience.

• Sobriety is important for all when working the equipment.

 Annex B

STEAM PLOUGHING SIGNALS AND WORKING METHODS

1.         It is essential that the crews fully understand their working method and agree the appropriate signals prior to commencing work.  The following are short notes to act as an aide memoir.

Whistle Signals

2.         The following are the agreed whistle signals derived from working practice.

Hand Signals

3.         The ploughman must at all times be facing the driver to whom he is signalling. This also applies to a flagman who must turn to face the driver when relaying a signal.

4.         To Increase the visibility of the ploughman’s signals, it is usual practice for the ploughman to use a piece of white rag when signalling, in addition engine drivers can assist one another in this way when starting a pull if whistle signals are not being used.  This is especially useful if engines are against a dark background, such as hedges or trees and not in silhouette on the skyline.

WORKING METHOD AND CARE WHEN ADJUSTING IMPLEMENT

5.         It is worthy of note that if the engines are in sight of one another and whistle signals are not being used, the usual method of working is that the far engine driver starts to pull when the other engine that has just finished its pull moves along the headland to make ready for the next bout.. 

6.         This movement, when seen by the far driver is an indication that the plough crew and the other engine are ready for the next bout and that he can start his pull of the implement back to him.

7.         Care is needed here, especially if any adjustments are to be made to the implement that these are done at the end of a bout and before the engine that has just pulled moves up, thus safeguarding the plough crew.  However, the driver closest to the crew must also remain alert to act as a failsafe to prevent any inadvertent injury using a whistle signal as appropriate.

Annex C

GUIDELINES ON SAFE WORKING  - PLOT SAFETY

Context

1.         The following guidelines cover methods to enable the safe working to work cable-operated steam ploughing tackle.   It is worth noting that cable operated steam cultivations are demonstrated at many different types of event that have public access. Many of these events have their own safety guidelines that do not always cover the safe operation of steam working and therefore crews should be ready to   assist the event safety officer.   It remains the responsibility of the event safety officer to make sure these guidelines are carried out as an absolute minimum.
 

Overview

2.         There are three key methods by which to mitigate the exposure of the public to risks at an event, these are either by enclosure of the whole area to be worked or by the use of the safety cell method or by partial combining the two approaches.  All methods have been used successfully at a number of events, however maintaining the integrity of the working area by crew/stewards is key as many of the general public are unaware of the hazards associated with or operation of cable ploughing tackle.

click image to enlarge

Method 3 – Partial Enclosure and Enlarged Safety Cell.: Where a small demonstration plot is to be used and has to be worked over numerous times, for example 100yds x 150yds as an alternative an enlarged version of the travelling safety cell should be permanently erected along the headland and return up each side of the land for a minimum of 20yds as shown in Fig 4.  click image   This creates a partial enclosure around the engines and implement turning/handling area   If this method has to be used then it is essential that a steward is appointed to provide safety cover mid plot, or more if deemed necessary.  The steward themselves must ensure they position themselves safely.