Fall harvest season can be particularly dangerous for farm owners and workers. Rapidly changing weather conditions, long hours and operating large machinery can cause accidents, making this a challenging time of year.
Tips for Staying Safe During Harvest Season
Fatigue and machinery malfunctions are a terrible combination, but there are some proactive things that farm workers and employees can do to help reduce the likelihood of an accident.
· Try to get enough rest. It can be tempting to put in long hours during a farm’s busiest time. While putting in more hours than usual may be necessary to get the work done, prioritizing sleep is also crucial. Take short breaks and plan your day so you can get enough sleep at night when possible.
· Double-check machinery for potential problems. Even the most technologically advanced farm machinery occasionally malfunctions. Conduct frequent safety checks on machinery and don’t be tempted to skip maintenance, even when things get busy.
· Consider wearing respiratory Exposure to airborne mold and grain dust can cause health problems later in life. An N-95 mask with two straps and a nose piece with a metal clip can help prevent serious health complications.
· Wear hearing protection. A tractor without a cab can produce 100 decibels, which can damage the operators’ eardrums. Ear protection with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of NRR-31 can reduce that noise to a safer zone of under 70 decibels.
Farm Hazard Inspection Checklists
The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a multitude of farm hazard inspection checklists to help keep farmers and their workers safe this fall:
· Crop chemical storage areas
· Crop and feed storage areas
· Chemical application equipment
· Anhydrous ammonia equipment
· Wagon and other hauling equipment
· Portable augers and elevators
· Harvesting equipment
· Tillage and planting equipment
· Tractor
· Manure storage
· Dairy barns and milking facilities
· Electrical
· General inspection for dairy facilities
Insurance for Farming Operations
Having property insurance for your farm workers, property, equipment, crops and livestock is essential to the future financial wellbeing of your operation. While appropriate insurance is crucial, it’s not a substitute for operating in the safest possible way.
Contact Kingsley Blasco Insurance serving the Newell, Pennsylvania, area to learn more about how to keep your farming operation safe. Our expert agents can help you get the farm insurance you need to help cover the costs of unexpected accidents and incidents beyond your control.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.