Irrigation pumps powered by Diesel engines. Improvement of operator safety

In Italy, in southern Piedmont, farmers tend to build their own irrigation machines, assembling an old diesel engine and a centrifugal pump on a wheeled chassis. Institute staff carried out a risks analysis on 160 of these machines in accordance with the essential health and safety requirements set out in Annex I of European Directive 98/37/EC (Machinery Directive) and, as they can be towed by tractors, in Italian Road Traffic Regulations. The paper presents a summary of the results of this inspection. The most frequent hazard for the operators of these machines is the possibility of accidental contact with moving parts, such as the engine fan or the universal joint that connects the engine flywheel shaft to the pump, and contact with high temperature components, such as the exhaust system. In both cases, installation of guards was suggested in order to prevent injury to the operators. Hazards deriving from poor quality electrical connections, high emission of noise or insufficient stability of the machines are less common but suitable means of prevention must be adopted. The results of the survey on this specific type of machines clearly reveal that they are very dangerous and actions intended to reduce risks of operator injury are strongly recommended.