Industrial hay baler machines are heavy, fast-moving, and often require workers to lift and throw heavy objects. Injuries can occur from falls, contact with objects or machinery, and being struck or crushed by flying bales. Workers who experience these types of injuries often have difficulty returning to their previous level of productivity. In some cases, workers can even lose their jobs as a result of an injury.
Injuries from hay balers and throwers can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious injuries, including head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and death.
1. Mechanical failure: This is the most common type of accident, and typically happens when something goes wrong with the machine. For example, a belt may break, a pulley may slip, or the machine may overheat.
2. Human error: This is usually when someone does something wrong that causes the machine to malfunction. For example, they might not properly secure a belt, they might not use the brake properly, or they might use the machine without safety gear.
3. Baler belt slipping or breaking: This is probably the most common type of hay baler accident, and it happens when the belt slips off the pulley or breaks. The baler will then start to move the hay, and can cause serious injuries if it falls on someone.
4. Hay getting caught in the baler: This can also be a dangerous situation, as the hay can get jammed in between the rollers and cause them to move quickly. This could cause serious injury if it throws someone off balance or if they are standing in front of the baler when it happens.
5. Hay falling off the baler: If hay is getting caught in the baler, it’s also possible for it to fall off. This can be a particularly dangerous situation, as falling hay can become a projectile and cause injuries to those nearby.
6. Hay baler runaway: The machine may suddenly speed up, throwing the operator out of the way.
7. Hay baler fall: If the operator is not wearing a safety belt, he or she can fall to the ground and be injured by the machine.
8. Hay baler caught in machinery: An operator can be trapped between the hay baler and another piece of heavy machinery, leading to serious injuries.
Recent Investigations and Accident Cases
In the past few years, there has been an increase in industrial bale throwers across the United States. Injuries stemming from this equipment can be serious, as these machines can be very powerful. Recently, there have been a number of investigations and accident cases that highlight the dangers of using these machines.
In 2014, a 19-year-old man was killed when he was thrown from a bale thrower while it was in use. The machine had been turned up to full speed and the victim was unable to get out of the way in time. This is just one example of how quickly accidents can happen with these machines.
In another recent case, a 42-year-old woman was injured when she was thrown from a bale thrower. The machine had been turned off and she was attempting to move it when it started up again and threw her. This incident also highlights how dangerous it can be to work with these machines if they are not properly guarded or if they are not maintained.
If you are injured while working with an industrial Bale Thrower, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to help you navigate the legal