Harvest Safety Tips
It’s October, and the weather has finally cleared up for farmers to start harvesting crops in earnest. This time of year, is also one of the most dangerous times for people working in the fields. The combination of long hours, heavy machinery, unpredictable weather, and tight deadlines often creates a high-stress environment where safety shortcuts can lead to injuries or fatalities. Here are some tips to prevent accidents.
The rush to harvest can lead to mechanical failure. Preventative maintenance is the first line of defense against farm accidents. Ideally, do daily inspections of equipment and perform a rigorous inspection of fluid levels, belts, tire pressure, and mirrors. Ensure all Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) and Power Take-Off (PTO) shields are fully intact and locked in place. Never operate machinery with missing safety guards. Remove dry chaff, dust, and crop buildup from engines and bearings regularly. This buildup creates fire hazards when exposed to extreme mechanical heat. Keep an updated, fully charged fire extinguisher in every tractor and combine cab.
Most harvest injuries happen when operators attempt to clear blockages or fix minor breakdowns while the machine is running. Shut equipment down or off before clearing a plugged combine, header, or auger; and completely shut down the engine, engage the parking brake, and remove the key. Never assume a machine is safe just because it is idling. Never rely solely on a machine's hydraulic system to support weight while working beneath it. Always use mechanical safety props or blocks to secure headers or raised equipment. It is easy to get caught in equipment when it is running or raised.
Moving oversized, slow-moving vehicles onto public roads requires extreme caution, particularly during low-light dawn and dusk hours. Clean all headlights, taillights, and flashers daily. Ensure clean, highly visible Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems are centered on the back of all towed implements. Apply reflective tape to machines to make them stand out to impatient people on the road. Use flashing lights when loading grain onto implements on the road. Whenever possible, plan equipment transfers to avoid peak local traffic hours, such as the morning and afternoon school bus commutes. When moving equipment, transport combine heads separately on their own trailers rather than driving down narrow public roads with an extra-wide implement. Some newer combine headers now fold and stack up.
Grain bins can become deathtraps in a matter of seconds. Flowing grain can completely submerge an adult or child in less than 25 seconds, leading to immediate suffocation. Never enter a grain bin while the unloading auger is running or has the potential to start. Lock out the electrical power supply before stepping inside. Also, never enter a grain storage bin alone. Always have an observer posted outside the bin door who maintains constant visual or radio contact. High amounts of mold, dust, and gasses gather in grain structures. Wear an approved respirator or heavy-duty dust mask to prevent respiratory distress or long-term lung damage.
The most common cause of harvest errors is physical and mental exhaustion. Working long hours per day drastically degrades reaction times. No matter how tight the weather window is, take time for rest breaks. A well-rested brain can spot hazards that an exhausted brain will completely overlook. Avoid relying on excessive caffeine, sugary energy drinks, or processed snacks to stay awake. Drink plenty of water and eat consistent, balanced meals to prevent blood sugar crashes and dehydration. Step out of the cab for a few minutes every few hours to stretch your legs, get fresh air, and to reset your brain.
Farms are fast moving and hectic, but they pose significant threats to young children and visitors. Enforce a strict rule that children must play in fenced yards or spaces far away from active fields work and grain transfer areas. Do not allow children or extra farmhands to ride along on tractor fenders, hitches, or implements unless they are strapped in with a seatbelt.
In case of accidents, ensure every field worker knows the location for every single field being worked. It’s a good idea to have a list of emergency numbers in a manual on major equipment so that emergency help can be reached quickly.
This time of year, its also good to watch out for wildlife. The does are rutting and the bucks are looking for mates. Often combines flush not only deer but coyotes, fox, rabbits, raccoons, possum, and birds from fields as they harvest the crop. Often farmers flush wildlife out on the last rounds. This can cause animals to run onto the road or into oncoming traffic. Let’s have a safe and productive harvest.