November 2023 Edition

Agriculture & Natural Resources
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Fall Harvest Safety

By: David Fourqurean, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Fall harvest season is a busy, often stressful, time for Kentucky farmers and their families.

It also is a peak season for agricultural injuries and an especially important time for farm families to remember safety. Be sure all workers are trained and physically capable of operating equipment and understand the safety procedures for it. Take time to talk to workers about safety. Long working hours can lead to fatigue and stress, making you less alert to potential safety hazards. Take some breaks when operating equipment for an extended period of time. If possible, trade off with other workers for a change of pace. Dress appropriately for the job. Avoid loose clothing, jackets with dangling strings, and sweatshirts that could become entangled in moving equipment. Entanglement in moving parts, especially power take-offs or other chain and belt drivers, is a major fall harvest hazard. Inspect machinery and equipment to be sure shields and guards on moving parts are in place and in good repair. Replace ineffective or missing safety equipment. Before getting off equipment, disengage the power and wait for moving parts to completely stop. When possible, shut off the engine. It is always a good idea to take the ignition key with you so another person does not unexpectedly start equipment while you are performing maintenance or repair. If you are working under any piece of equipment, such as a header unit, always use the jack stand or hydraulic cylinder locks to prevent it from suddenly falling and pinning you under.

Be sure all safety locks are operational. A pinhole-size hydraulic leak can cause severe tissue damage. If you are injected with oil from a hydraulic leak, immediately seek medical assistance. The oil must be surgically removed, and delays can result in serious infections and possible amputations. Always use paper or cardboard to check for hydraulic leaks. Tractor overturns are the leading cause of farm deaths. To prevent these tragedies, equip older model tractors with a roll-over protective structure. Most tractors manufactured after the late 1960s or early 1970s can be equipped with a ROPS for $800 to $1,200, a small price to pay for basic safety. Make it a habit to use the seat belt to ensure you remain inside the zone of protection provided by the ROPS or safety cab. The seat belt also will keep you from being thrown off the tractor if you hit an obstacle. Being thrown off the tractor and run over is the second leading cause of tractor deaths in Kentucky. Although not as common, run-over injuries to extra riders, especially those involving children, who fall off are very tragic. To prevent these tragedies, never allow any extra riders on tractors or equipment Keep bystanders away from operating equipment. Also, be aware of people who may have come into the area. Always check around equipment before starting or moving it. Carry a fire extinguisher on all tractors and self-propelled equipment, especially combines.

Periodically check extinguishers to be sure they are pressurized and in good condition. To prevent fires on combines, be sure equipment is clean and hoses and fuel systems are in good shape and not leaking. Remove trash and debris around engine components. Check for clearances with overhead power lines when operating or moving tall machines, because contact may result in electrocution.

Moving portable augers around overhead power lines is especially hazardous so always lower them first.

When filling silos, watch for the bleach-like odor that indicates silo gas. This yellowish brown gas is heavier than air and will settle on the silage surface and may flow down the chute into adjacent livestock areas. Close any doors leading to livestock areas, keep the base of the silo chute well ventilated and do not enter a silo during the first two weeks.

 

Farm vehicles on public roads are involved in injury accidents from 6,000 to 7,000 times annually in the United States and typically more than 200 collisions involving farm machinery on public roads occur in Kentucky every year. Thus, people driving farm machinery and those driving vehicles should be especially careful and watchful.

 

Keep slow-moving-vehicle emblems and extremity markings clean and bright to help motorists notice equipment. Replace faded SMV emblems and check headlights, taillights and flashing lights for satisfactory operation.

 

To alert on-coming drivers, use reflectors or reflective tape when the edges of towed equipment extend beyond the left side of a tractor. If a tractor has mirrors, keep them clean and adjusted for the driver to watch for approaching motorists. When possible, pull completely off the road to let a line of traffic behind pass.

Since it may be difficult to anticipate the operational intentions of farm machinery on the roadway, other drivers need to watch for unmarked field entrances or other places the driver might be planning to enter. A tractor may need to move to the right to complete a left turn so do not assume the driver wants you to pass when moving to the right side. Pass only in a designated passing zone or when the other driver signals and completely pulls off the road.

 

For more information contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service 270-273-3690

 

Congratulations on the National Award!

ABSTRACT

2023 Abstract for Audio recording

This submission is a podcast produced to remind producers of the importance of Safety Precautions while preparing for the Spring Season. It was published through the Kentucky Ag Matters Podcast, a show produced by Jay Stone (Hopkins County ANR Agent), David Fourqurean (McLean County ANR Agent), and Vicki Shadrick (Webster County ANR Agent). The entire podcast was 15 minutes and was recorded on February 8th at the Christian County Farm Bureau Office in Hopkinsville, KY. The podcast was hosted on Podbean and shared to Amazon Music/Audible, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, and Iheart radio. Agriculture, and farming, is known as one of the most dangerous occupations in today’s world.

Often, we can do everything correctly and still have accidents that can end in either serious injury or death. Topics for this show included basic safety considerations when dealing with Equipment Power Take Off shafts, Grain Bins, Highway Safety with Equipment, and Safe handling of Livestock and Horses.

 

Statistics shared included children’s deaths and severe accidents related to farm life, and how many accidents on the farm occur when folks get too comfortable engaging in everyday activities. Listeners were left with the timely tip to all ways pay attention and free yourself from distractions during all farm related activities. Distribution for this podcast averages 283 downloads per month to 23 states and 13 foreign countries.