The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has produced a new safety manual for agricultural sprayer operators and maintenance personnel. The manual covers a typical daily work environment for the equipment, outlining the latest accepted safety procedures in clearly stated safety warnings, graphics and text.

The 48-page manual was developed by AEM member manufacturers in an ad hoc Agricultural Sprayer committee under the auspices of the association’s Farm Equipment Council (FEC) Agricultural Safety Committee. The manual is not a substitute for the manufacturer’s operating manual(s).

Among the many safety practices discussed in the new AEM Agricultural Sprayer Safety Manual:

• Safe chemical handling procedures
• Safety practices specifically tailored to tow-behind and self-propelled sprayers
• Guidelines for spraying under less-than-optimal conditions
• Transportation best practices
• Common-sense rules for safe refilling in the field
• Maintenance hints designed to enhance personnel safety

AEM’s safety and training materials cover more than 40 types of equipment used in agricultural, construction, forestry and utility applications.

The association initiated its safety-tools program more than 40 years ago to provide job-proven and time-tested suggestions that promote safety-conscious attitudes and performance. In addition to accident prevention, benefits include improved worker productivity and less equipment downtime for repairs.

The AEM Agricultural Sprayer Safety Manual, as well as the association’s other safety manuals, videos and related educational materials, is available online through the AEM Store at http://shop.aem.org. Some safety materials are offered in downloadable files or in DVD format.