Plan for a Safe Fall Harvest

Following a Safety Plan for a Safe Harvest

Russ Quinn
By  Russ Quinn , DTN Staff Reporter
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Harvest can be a dangerous time. Following a safety plan can prevent accidents. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer photo by Jim Patrico)

Harvest has already started in some regions of the Corn Belt and is close to starting in many other locales. Crops are maturing in the fields and farmers are preparing their equipment to bring in potential record large corn and soybean yields.

Many farmers have a checklist of things that need to be done before, during and after harvest. The list is probably divided between going through harvest machinery and maintaining/repairing grain storage facilities.

Some of you have probably done this preparation for many, many years and nothing from a random tip sheet is going to change the way you do things. I get that; but it is also important to consider other ways and methods to make your harvest go more efficiently as well as more safely.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, has a website detailing various things farmers can do to make sure they are prepared to stay safe during harvest. The website is http://www.nationwide.com/….

Nationwide recommends farmers check and repair slip, trip and fall hazards on both equipment and facilities. This could include repairing/replacing loose ladders, platforms, handrails and steps.

"Get rid of protruding objects which could cause injury from a trip or fall," the Nationwide report said. "Clean up debris, weeds or other obstructions that can cause potential injury or impede your ability to work without hindrance."

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The insurance company also suggested farmers keep a first aid kit at each of their facility locations.

Michigan State University (MSU) reported in an online newsletter about the dangers of combine fires (http://msue.anr.msu.edu/…). There are two key points to remember: The first is prevention. MSU recommends keeping the machine as clean as possible. This would include power-washing to removed caked-on grease, oil and crop residue at the end of harvest, and during harvest frequently blow chaff, leaves and other crop materials off the machine.

The second point is preparation. MSU suggested farmers keep at least one fully-charged fire extinguisher in the combine, mount a second one on the outside of the machine, recharge discharged extinguishers and have a plan in place in case of a fire. This plan includes turning off the engine, getting the fire extinguisher, calling for help and getting a safe distance away from the fire.

The Nationwide Insurance website also details safety on public roads. Tips in this section included things like displaying a slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem, making sure the SMV sign is in good shape, using proper vehicle lighting and flashing amber lights anytime you use public roads.

One interesting thing I learned in this segment was about using headlights. According to the website, most state laws requiring using headlights 30 minutes before sunset and until 30 minutes after sunrise. I didn't realize that this was an actual law.

The one thing I would include about driving farm equipment on roads at harvest: If possible, use an escort vehicle.

Attempting a left turn on a public road is among the situations in that cause the most accidents between farm equipment and other vehicles. This possible hazard can be limited some with an escort vehicle.

Of course, not even an escort vehicle can completely eliminate the risk of a collision. Years ago on our own farm we were moving the tractor and grain cart in the dark with an escort vehicle -- all with flashing lights -- and had to turn left into a farm lane off a fairly busy road.

The car behind us didn't notice both vehicles turned off their flashers and turned on their left blinkers. Unwisely, the car decided to pass us but luckily the car was back far enough it could stop before slamming into the side of tractor and/or grain cart.

We all were lucky that evening. After that near incident, we decided just to stay off the roads with farm equipment after dark during harvest.

Russ Quinn can be reached at russ.quinn@dtn.com

Follow Russ Quinn on Twitter @RussQuinnDTN

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Russ Quinn