Harvest is right around the corner. According to the Center for Disease Control, every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. The annual farm-accident mortality is estimated at 60 to 70 per 100,000 of farm population. Make sure you and your family and friends are safe this harvest. Follow these tips to keep everyone safe and productive.
- Think safety first.
Before doing any task, look around with safety in mind. Are you using the right tools for the job? Is the engine turned off? Wear the right equipment and take every precaution to protect yourself before an incident.
- Never be alone.
A day out in the tractor by yourself is never a bad thing when others know where you are. Before starting out or going from one field to another, make sure your family or neighbors know where you are. Make sure to give them a timeframe of how long you should be there so they know when to check on you. Give your key contacts a place and time frame for your jobs, so they can find you in case of an accident.
- Take preventative measures.
Turn equipment off before you step out or work on it. Wear gloves, protective boots, and pants when you can. Falling is a common source of farm related injuries. Make sure you wear shoes or boots that provide good traction. Keep steps, platforms, and feet areas clear from tools, trash, and anything unnecessary.
- Be familiar with the equipment.
Even if you only drive machinery a few days or weeks per year, be sure to learn all about it before use. Check its condition, and make sure it is ready to run. Take extra steps to ensure it will run safely.
- Be safe on the roads.
Sometimes it isn’t possible to work without traveling along the road in a tractor or with a harvester. Practice the rules of the road for farm equipment. Double and triple look before pulling out. Make sure your equipment is properly marked with reflective tape and signs.
We wish you a happy and safe harvest.
