About This Guide
In an emergency, every second counts. This guide provides quick-reference shutdown procedures for common farm equipment. Post copies in your shop, equipment cabs, and give to all operators.
Use these procedures when there is fire or smoke, a rollover or tip-over beginning, operator incapacitation, a person in danger from equipment, or any situation where an immediate stop is necessary.
EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES
GENERAL EMERGENCY STOP
``` ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ EMERGENCY STOP - ALL EQUIPMENT ║ ╠═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ 1. DISENGAGE all power systems (PTO, hydraulics) ║ ║ 2. STOP the engine (key off or kill switch) ║ ║ 3. APPLY parking brake ║ ║ 4. REMOVE key (if time permits) ║ ║ 5. EXIT safely (maintain 3 points of contact) ║ ║ 6. MOVE to safe distance ║ ║ 7. CALL for help (911 if emergency) ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ```
TRACTOR EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN
Standard Procedure
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Disengage PTO | PTO lever/switch (usually left side or console) |
| 2 | Move throttle to IDLE | Hand throttle or foot pedal |
| 3 | Turn key OFF | Ignition switch |
| 4 | Apply parking brake | Brake pedal lock or separate lever |
| 5 | Move gear selector to PARK or NEUTRAL | Transmission control |
Emergency Kill Switch (If Equipped)
Many tractors have a red emergency stop button or key-off-to-stop feature. Push the red button to kill the engine immediately, or turn the key to the OFF position.
If Tractor is Rolling/Moving
- Steer toward open area if possible
- Apply brakes firmly (both pedals if unlocked)
- DO NOT jump from moving tractor
- Stay with tractor until stopped
If Tractor Begins to Tip
- STAY IN SEAT (Do not try to jump)
- Hold steering wheel firmly
- Brace for impact
- Seat belt keeps you in protective zone
COMBINE EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN
Standard Procedure
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Disengage header | Header switch/lever |
| 2 | Disengage threshing/separator | Separator switch |
| 3 | Reduce throttle to IDLE | Throttle control |
| 4 | Turn key OFF | Ignition |
| 5 | Apply parking brake | Brake control |
| 6 | Lower header (if safe) | Header lift |
| 7 | Engage all safety locks | Various locations |
Fire Emergency (Combine)
Combines are a high fire risk. Act immediately.
- STOP the combine
- Shut down engine
- Exit immediately
- Move upwind of fire
- Call 911
- Use fire extinguisher only if fire is small and you're upwind
ATV/UTV EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN
ATV Procedure
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Release throttle | Right handlebar thumb lever |
| 2 | Apply brakes | Right hand (front), right foot (rear) or combined |
| 3 | Press kill switch | Red button on right handlebar |
| 4 | Turn key OFF | Ignition |
| 5 | Set parking brake | Near left handlebar or foot |
UTV Procedure
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Release accelerator | Right foot pedal |
| 2 | Apply brake | Left foot pedal or right foot pedal |
| 3 | Shift to PARK or NEUTRAL | Shift lever |
| 4 | Turn key OFF | Ignition |
| 5 | Set parking brake | Lever or pedal |
If ATV/UTV Rolls
- Let go of controls if you're being thrown
- Try to roll away from the machine
- Do not try to stop the roll with your body
- If belted in UTV, stay in protective zone
SKID STEER/LOADER EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN
Standard Procedure
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Return all controls to NEUTRAL | Hand/foot controls |
| 2 | LOWER bucket/attachment to ground | Boom controls |
| 3 | Reduce throttle to IDLE | Throttle |
| 4 | Turn key OFF | Ignition |
| 5 | Engage parking brake | Brake control |
| 6 | Raise safety bar (if equipped) | Overhead bar |
If Loader Tips Forward
- Do not try to jump out
- Stay in operator station
- Brace yourself
- Lower bucket can stabilize
HAY EQUIPMENT EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN
Baler Emergency
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Disengage PTO | Tractor PTO lever |
| 2 | Stop tractor | Tractor controls |
| 3 | Wait for all rotation to stop | Visual confirmation |
| 4 | DO NOT approach until complete stop | |
Mower/Conditioner Emergency
| Step | Action | Location |
|---|
| 1 | Disengage PTO immediately | Tractor PTO lever |
| 2 | Stop forward motion | Tractor brake |
| 3 | Stop tractor engine | Key off |
| 4 | Wait for blades to stop | Significant coast-down time |
CHAINSAW EMERGENCY
Standard Stop
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Release throttle trigger |
| 2 | Engage chain brake (push forward on hand guard) |
| 3 | Turn off switch |
| 4 | Set saw down safely |
If Kickback Occurs
- Do not try to control the kickback
- Let the chain brake stop the chain
- Move away from cutting area
- Assess situation before continuing
PRESSURE WASHER EMERGENCY
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Release trigger immediately |
| 2 | Turn off engine/motor |
| 3 | Turn off water supply |
| 4 | Point wand away from people |
WELDING EQUIPMENT EMERGENCY
Arc Welder
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Break arc (lift electrode away) |
| 2 | Place electrode holder on insulated surface |
| 3 | Turn off welder |
| 4 | If fire, use appropriate extinguisher |
Cutting Torch
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Release cutting oxygen lever |
| 2 | Turn off preheat oxygen |
| 3 | Turn off fuel gas (acetylene) |
| 4 | Close cylinder valves |
| 5 | Bleed lines |
EMERGENCY STOP FOR OTHERS
- Get operator's attention (yell, wave arms, air horn)
- Use hand signals (flat hand, palm down, moving down = STOP)
- If operator incapacitated:
- Approach from side, not front or rear
- Reach for key or kill switch
- Push emergency stop button if present
- Never step in front of moving equipment
Hand Signals for Emergency Stop
``` ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ EMERGENCY STOP SIGNAL ║ ║ ║ ║ Both arms extended, hands flat, palms down ║ ║ Moving arms down repeatedly ║ ║ ║ ║ Combined with: ║ ║ - Loud voice/whistle ║ ║ - Maintaining eye contact ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ```
AFTER EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN
- Assess for injuries
- Check yourself first
- Check others in area
- Call for help if needed
- 911 for emergencies
- Ranch/farm contact for assistance
- Secure the scene
- Keep others away from hazards
- Do not restart equipment until cause determined
- Document the incident
- What happened
- What equipment was involved
- Conditions at the time
- Any injuries
Before Restarting
- [ ] Determine cause of emergency
- [ ] Inspect equipment for damage
- [ ] Verify safe to restart
- [ ] Clear area of personnel
- [ ] Follow normal startup procedures
| Contact | Number |
|---|
| 911 | (Emergency) |
| Ranch/Farm Manager | _______________ |
| Nearest Hospital | _______________ |
| Equipment Dealer (Emergency) | _______________ |
| Insurance Agent | _______________ |
| Poison Control | 1-800-222-1222 |
QUICK REFERENCE CARDS
Cut out and laminate these cards for equipment cabs
``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ EMERGENCY STOP - TRACTOR │ ├─────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 1. Disengage PTO │ │ 2. Throttle to IDLE │ │ 3. Key OFF │ │ 4. Parking brake ON │ │ 5. Exit safely │ │ │ │ IF ROLLING: Stay in seat, brake! │ │ IF TIPPING: Stay in seat, brace! │ └─────────────────────────────────────┘ ```
``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ EMERGENCY STOP - ATV/UTV │ ├─────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 1. Release throttle │ │ 2. Apply brakes │ │ 3. Press KILL switch │ │ 4. Key OFF │ │ 5. Parking brake ON │ │ │ │ IF ROLLING: Roll away if ejected │ │ UTV: Stay belted in protective zone │ └─────────────────────────────────────┘ ```
``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ FIRE ON EQUIPMENT │ ├─────────────────────────────────────┤ │ 1. STOP equipment immediately │ │ 2. Shut DOWN engine │ │ 3. EXIT quickly │ │ 4. Move UPWIND │ │ 5. Call 911 │ │ │ │ Use extinguisher ONLY if: │ │ - Fire is small │ │ - You have clear escape │ │ - You're upwind │ └─────────────────────────────────────┘ ```
TexasRanchSafety.com | Keeping Texas Ranchers Safe
Print this guide on heavy paper or laminate for durability. Post in shop and equipment cabs. Review with all operators.
