With harvest getting underway, farmers encouraged to be safety-minded

This is National Farm Safety and Health week, and the Nebraska Corn Board is encouraging farmers – and motorists driving on rural highways and byways – to exercise caution and be safety-minded as harvest and fall field work jump into high gear over the next few weeks.

“We’re expecting another good crop this year, and it looks like farmers will enjoy good prices, too. Yet none of it is worth injury or fatality that could have been prevented by taking appropriate precautions or simply taking time,” Alan Tiemann, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board, said in a news release. “While we all recognize the excitement and enjoyment of harvest, staying focused and resting regularly can help a lot in keep things safe around the farm for everyone, including family members helping to bring the crop in.”

Since first proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in1944, National Farm Safety and Health Week has been an annual proclamation by every sitting U.S. President. You can read this year's Presidential proclamation at the White House website.

The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, which promotes National Farm Safety and Health Week, said there were more than 50 grain bin incidents, auger related injuries, power take offs (PTO) incidents and more than two dozen fatalities in the U.S. last year.

“Grain production and handling continues to be one of the most dangerous aspects of crop production,” Tiemann said. “With more than 1 billion bushels of on-farm storage capacity across Nebraska, grain bins and associated equipment are common on farms and deserve extra attention.”

Last year there was a special focus on grain bin safety, and the Nebraska Corn Board featured a discussion on it in a CornsTALK newsletter. The National Corn Growers Association also produced a special grain bin safety video. You can access both by going to this blog post.

Tiemann also cautioned motorists driving on rural roads during harvest. With additional traffic during harvest, there's an increased chance for accidents to occur between slower moving farm equipment and vehicles moving at highway speeds. In addition, rural intersections will have heavier-than-normal travel and dusty conditions may limit visibility, as can sun glare in the morning and evening. Standing crops in the field may also block a clear view of oncoming traffic.

In its news release, the Nebraska Corn Board included a list of things for farmers, families and farm workers to consider this fall:

• Ensure that trained family members and employees are operating powerful equipment.
• Develop a set of safety rules that everyone should follow – and enforce them. Also consider developing an emergency plan so everyone is on the same page.
• Check that PTOs are well protected to avoid contact with clothing or people during operation.
• Check to make sure safety shields are in place on all equipment everyday – they are there for a reason.
• Always be aware of power lines that can come in contact with moving equipment and augers around grain bins.
• Grain bins deserve special attention and caution when grain is being loaded and removed. Safety measures should be put in place to avoid any risk of entrapment and suffocation.
• Take periodic breaks to help avoid fatigue. Take a rest break for a few minutes, go for a short walk or check in with family members.
• Use extra caution when backing equipment. It is easy to overlook something or more importantly, someone, especially a child.
• Protective eye and ear wear is important in many situations.
• Equip tractors and combines with a fire extinguisher, as dry crop residue is fuel for a fire.
• Remind family members and workers that safe practices come before expedience.

Be safe – and have a great harvest!