The catchy title to this article is not an original of mine, it’s from The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), https://www.necasag.org/, highlighting National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 15-21, 2024. We’re at the beginning of harvest season, and I’d like to remind everyone to be mindful of combine safety, road safety, grain bin safety, and Power Take-Off (PTO) equipment safety.
According to NECAS, the 2021 data for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 453 fatalities. Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed as such by each sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council.
Most farmers are well aware of equipment hazards, but over time, we can all become complacent and somewhat over-confident. I have spoken to farmers who have survived accidents, and they all say something like, “I have done that a hundred times before, but…” Accidents with combines and other equipment can happen in an instant. Make sure equipment is powered completely down before doing any maintenance.
Large farm equipment will be traveling local roads for fall harvest operations. As a driver, it is easy to get frustrated when you’re in a hurry and stuck behind slow-moving equipment, but try to take a breath and be patient. Safety is important to everyone, farmers and drivers.
Look for Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems displayed on farm equipment and other vehicles. An SMV emblem is triangular, with an orange fluorescent center and red reflective borders. Equipment and other vehicles displaying this emblem are capable of speeds no faster than 25 miles per hour.
Farmers should recheck the condition of SMV emblems to make sure they are still fluorescent. Over time, these emblems can fade and become less noticeable. Other road-related safety equipment, such as headlights, taillights, flashing lights, hitch pins, tires, and wheel bearings also should be checked.
Grain bins present hazards of their own. Take safety precautions as you enter bins to prevent potential engulfment and suffocation. Use lock-out, tag-out procedures, and never work alone. Other hazards include grain dust explosions, falls, and working around the mechanical equipment associated with grain handling and storage. Find more information at https://www.osha.gov/grain-handling.
Augers and other PTO-powered equipment present a real and present danger of entanglement. Make sure all safety guards are in place and functioning properly, and be mindful of frayed clothing or any action that could lead to entanglement. Stay clear of PTO shafts.
Finally, the Purdue Agricultural Safety & Health Program has archived years of its “Indiana Farm Fatality Summary with Historical Overview.” The program has been monitoring farm-related fatalities in the state for nearly sixty years. It published a summary annually to maintain awareness that agricultural production is still one of the most hazardous occupations in the state and the U.S. Find the reports and many other helpful resources at www.INPrepared.org.
Be aware! Don’t learn safety by accident. Think ahead to prevent accidents.