Objective:
To be able to secure a vehicle or piece of equipment using the proper chock and block method.
Background:
The purpose of the chock is to pin the wheels and hold them stationary. When unhooking farm equipment
from a tractor, make sure the tires on the implement have been chocked to prevent the operator or
bystanders from being injured if a roll back occurs. The rear most axle should be the one that is chocked.
Tires may need to be chocked in both the front and the rear, on some equipment.
Operators can be caught between a tractor and the equipment or a piece of equipment and the shop wall
because the proper chocking procedures were not followed. It is a simple concept, but many farm employees
forget to use this procedure when working with or around equipment. In some cases, workers have been
killed or injured because they have failed to follow this procedure.
If loading or unloading bags or pallets from a semitrailer, it may be necessary to block freight inside the
trailer to prevent movement. Blocking reduces the chance of a load shift, which can cause a trailer to
turn over and damage the cargo or injure a worker. Cargo doesn't have to be round to move, so block
all four sides of the cargo separately.
Use sound blocking material. Make certain that nails or spikes
are long enough and the lumber is thick enough to prevent the
cargo from shifting. Other freight should never be used as a
block. When working on equipment don't rely on jacks or hoists
to support the equipment. They are made to lift, not to support.
The equipment should be blocked to support it while you are
working on it.
AGRICULTURAL SAFETY TOPICS
ChOCk & BLOCk
wsps.ca
