When it comes to fall harvest, there’s a lot to be done in a short amount of time. Top that off with shorter days and colder weather, and you get a developed sense of urgency amoung farmers, which can lead to injury and even death. Hopefully, some of these harvest safety tips will help keep you and yours safe on the farm. Cheryl Skjolaas, an Agricultural Safety Specialist at the Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, offers some suggestions to prevent life-altering incidents. 1. COME UP WITH A FAMILY CHECKLIST The better you maintain your equipment and yard, the less likely things are to break down. To prevent your tractor and other important farm equipment from breaking down, make a list of what needs to be done to maintain them. Then, assign workers and family members to complete those tasks. This way, nothing will be overlooked or forgotten, and you’ll prevent safety and technical hiccoughs. You’ll also increase productivity. 2. READ UP AND REFRESH ON MANUALS Now’s also a great time to review how to use machinery you haven’t used in a while. To be extra safe, run these manuals by your workers and family too, especially if they’re newer to the job. 3. HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN Developing an emergency communication plan is essential. Most likely, you won’t need it – but if you do, you’ll be glad to have it. These plans ensure that when there’s an emergency situation, everyone knows how to respond right away. You’ll save time, and potentially a life. “If someone isn’t back by an agreed upon time, do you know what field they are in, which route they are on?” Once you develop your plan, make sure everyone is familiar with it. 4. MAINTAIN THE YARD Remove tree limbs that are hanging low, and keep lane and travel ways clear of fallen branches or other obstructions. Take care of details like these ahead of time to address any issues before you hit the field for harvesting. 5. TRAIN (AND RETRAIN) ANYONE WHO IS ABOUT TO USE EQUIPMENT It’s easy to invite your neighbour over to hop on a tractor and help out with the farm chores, especially when time is tight. But you shouldn’t let anyone on a tractor, or use any farm equipment, without at least some training. A lack of training is dangerous not only for the inexperienced person – if you’re new to a job, you have a greater risk of injuring yourself – but for everyone else working, too. And remember: One seat, one rider! 6. KNOW WHERE YOUR YOUNG CHILDREN ARE Keep children off of tractors and farm equipment, and enforce a rule to make sure they don’t run out in front of machinery while you are working. That being said, know where your children are before taking out machinery. Have safe play areas, and make sure they aren’t hiding underneath the tractor.
7. IF YOU FEEL TIRED OR DISTRACTED, STOP! It’s easy to want to push on, to get the task done. But, if you’re fatigued, or you find your mind wandering to the other jobs at hand, you’re more likely to take shortcuts and risk injuring yourself or others. Don’t turn to extra cups of coffee or sugary caffeinated drinks either. Try to keep focused and stick to a healthy diet, giving your body the rest it needs, when it needs it.
8. MEET ALL NEW LIGHTING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS Lighting and marking requirements change every now and again (latest 2019), so now is the time make sure that all of your harvesting equipment meets them. Keep up to date with Farmstead Optimization & Safety through OMAFRA
9. PRACTICE GRAIN BIN SAFETY
Harvesting, transportation and storing grain and silage can be hazardous. Freshen up on and share grain bin safety to remain safe and prevent accidents. Always keep children away from the Grain bins!
10. BEWARE OF MACHINERY ENTANGLEMENTS
Machinery entanglements are the leading cause of injury and death on the farm. Do everything you can do prevent it – including guarding or shielding all moving parts (especially the PTO!!) on machinery, and keep bystanders and children away.
We can all help prevent incidents and accidents by staying organized and preparing ahead of time.
Stay safe everyone! and here's to a prosperous and bountiful harvest!!
Paula
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