Safety with Power Take-Off Systems
Adapted from materials produced by the UW Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.
Edited by Jean Ferdinandsen, Commercial Horticulture Agent for Waukesha County

You can prevent injuries from power take-off entanglements by:

• Shutting the PTO off before dismounting the tractor whenever work conditions permit.

• Keeping all shields in place on the tractor and implements. Everyone makes mistakes, gets in a hurry, becomes distracted, or slips.
  

• Avoid wearing loose, torn or bulky clothing around the PTO or any other moving parts.
  

• Being extra cautious when using stationery equipment with the PTO in operation.
  

• Always walking around the equipment to avoid being near the PTO. Stepping over, leaning across, or crawling under and operating PTO can easily lead to an entanglement.
  

• Keeping all bystanders away from PTO driven equipment and never allowing children to be in the area around the equipment.
  

• Checking the drawbar for proper adjustment when hooking up PTO driven equipment.
  

• Avoid using nails, cotter pins, or long bolts on the driveline. Any protrusion can catch your clothing and entangle you.
  

• Disengaging the PTO and turning off the tractor engine before making adjustments or repairs, or when connecting or disconnecting the driveline.