6 Tips for a Safe Harvest

6 Tips for a Safe Harvest

There is a lot to be done during harvest season. With shorter days and colder weather, it’s easy to develop a sense of urgency which can lead to incidents and injuries.

While it may already be November, it’s not too late to implement safe practices on the farm to protect your family and employees.

1. Train Your Helpers

a. Since harvest time is all around a very busy season, you may be employing extra hands to help around the farm or ranch. While it is great to have additional help, an incident or injury can really slow down your operation. Make sure you take the time to train them on the proper use of machinery and equipment.

2. Have an Emergency Plan

a. Make sure to develop an emergency plan that includes phone numbers, addresses, routes, and instructions for employees, family members and emergency medical services. These plans ensure that everyone knows how to respond right away in case of emergency. This is also a good time to create an emergency medical card for each worker in case of an injury. Include health conditions, allergies, blood type, and emergency contacts.

3. Create a Family Checklist

a. Create a list of tasks and assignments that each person can complete to ease the burden. Take time to update any records, repair equipment, and remove potential hazards. That way tasks do not fall on one person and each family member or worker is taking responsibility in creating a safe workspace.

4. Know Where Your Children Are

a. Make sure children are not playing near, under or around equipment. Don’t let children play on the equipment or ride on tractors. Always designate a safe play area that they can be in when adults are working.

5. Working Fatigued is Like Driving Impaired

a. If you are tired especially while operating equipment, you may start to take shortcuts that can lead to incidents or injuries. Speeding slows you down! Find someone you can take shifts with to ease the load.

6. Be Safe on the Road

a. Unfortunately, other drivers on the road aren’t always watching out for you, especially if it is evening or nighttime. Always use lighting and marking signs like SMVs and keep up with requirements.

 

Additional machinery and rural road safety resources are available on our website.