"Better late than never” was the response I received when visiting with a friend about writing a column on safety during the harvest. Corn silage harvest in our area is almost wrapped up, a few soybean fields have already been cut and several corn fields south of us have been shelled. With much field work to be done over the next couple of months or more, reminding farmers of a few safety issues is still a timely subject. Besides, we are in the middle of National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Time means money when it means gathering in crops. However, the extra time needed to perform a harvest task properly can determine whether the job is completed at all. Planning involves setting enough time aside for routine equipment setup and maintenance, moving machinery from farm to farm, hauling grain and of course the harvest itself. All of the jobs mentioned can be accomplished more safely if farm workers are properly rested. Having enough sleep, taking regular breaks and eating good meals and snacks can greatly enhance alertness for farm equipment operators. Going over safety tips should be part of a farm operation’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Farm machinery manuals all have sections dedicated to proper equipment operation and each stresses operator safety.  Review them.

By now, most harvest equipment should be ready for field operations and road travel. As the days go by and hours wear on, daily cleaning and timely lubrication contribute to more efficient and safer operation. Clean cab windows improve observation of the task at hand, whether it be running the combine, tractor or grain truck. Removal of crop residue and dust from engine compartments reduces the likelihood of equipment fires that can put a halt to harvest progress. Timely lubrication also enables farmers to routinely check for unexpected wear that could lead to untimely breakdowns.  

Fast moving farm machinery parts can entangle a person much quicker than expected.  Farmers are all aware of 540 and 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM) ratings given to power take off (PTO) equipment. Realize that snapping rolls on a cornhead can pull in stalks at a rate of 12-feet per second and more. Know that trying to unplug a stalk in a live cornhead can also result in the farmer’s hand and arm being drawn in. If you happen to be grabbing a plugged stalk and the snapping rolls suddenly grasp the same stalk, the natural human reaction is to grip the stalk even harder. Consequently, your hand and arm have no chance with an operating machine.   

To avoid entanglements, always disengage power and turn off the engine before trying to clear away crop residue from the plugged combine head.  

Farmers are well aware of safety features to prevent crushing from the combine header attachments. Everyone involved with changing combine heads of those features is essential for worker safety. Most unfortunate accidents occur in a hurried situation where protection mechanisms are not engaged.  

Many farmers are injured annually when falling off equipment. Normal equipment operation and maintenance requires mounting and dismounting farm machinery dozens of times a day. Keeping steps and platforms clean of crop debris, mud, and grease or oil is important. Even if clean, if those areas become slippery due to wet conditions, being in a hurry can result in a slip and or fall.  

Finally, road travel by farm machinery during harvest can create unexpected obstacles to the routine motorist. Keeping lights, flashers, reflective areas and slow moving vehicle (SMV) signs bright and in good repair is a good first step to help make non farm vehicle drivers aware of your presence on the road.