From what I gathered from the conversation, attachments with any type of spinning apparatus (mower, cutter, windrow rake, etc) as well as PTO driven attachments are really being targeted. New operator training, regular periodic safety meetings, and a place where operators can easily access the attachment manuals will probably also be stressed.
I guess the risk auditors feel that a "good" owner's and operator's manual and regular training for equipment is worth the effort for them and their insured. My boss also told me his story about how he was cutting in a vacant field next to a school and later that day someone reported that a rock had been thrown by the mower and conveniently broke out the small back seat side window in a Ford F-150 Supercab sitting in a parking lot more than 100 feet away. That little incident cost him $200 out-of-pocket (definitely more than be got paid for cutting that vacant lot), but could have been very consequential to him and the insurance company if it were a school kid or teacher that would have been hit.
I believe the day of attachment and implement manufacturers who had their secretaries or service guys put together a couple pages of instructions might no longer be viable in the very near future, and the attachment manufacturer will assume more responsibility for not providing adequate safety info. According to my neighbor who is an insurance adjuster, when proper operators and safety manuals are provided with an attachment, then, in case of an accident, the fault falls closer to the enduser company and if the manuals were readily available and whether attachment training was given. It seems like the insurance companies might be putting some meat into their talk about safety awareness and the companies that do not comply will end up paying more for insurance and the mom & pop businesses buying equipment from manufacturers with proper owners manual and have them available to their employees may get a cut on their premiums compared to those that don't. Just my thoughts. Sounds like tractor and skid steer manufacturers better install large manual boxes in their equipment too.
