Farming ranks behind mining with the second highest number of disabling and fatal incidents annually. As farmers across the country gear up for fall harvest, they should remember to follow basic safety rules because they could save lives. In celebration of National Farm Safety Week (Sept.19-25), Allan Vynhnalek of The Columbus Telegram offers the following tips on keeping safe:
- Consider the location of the sun. It’s really hard to see against a rising or setting sun. Consider this while traveling in rural areas during harvest.
- Farmers need to be extra careful when working on farmsteads not to back over young people or to come into contact with electrical lines. I’ve been aware of specific accidents where this happened, and they are very sad. Just be careful, as these accidents are easily avoided.
- Farmers also need to use common sense when around augers and PTO driven equipment. Rotating equipment can rip/wrap 4-8 feet of clothing per second. There is virtually no chance to escape injury or death if your clothes become caught in augers, belts or PTO shafts.
- On rural county roads motorists have to treat each hill like there will be a stopped combine just out of sight unloading into a truck or wagon. Farmers need to use lighting, reflectors and slow-moving vehicle signs when driving farm equipment on the road. Warning flashers should be used whenever a machine is operating or being driven on rural roads both day and night. Motorists should never assume that the road will be clear, especially during harvest season.
- Due to the harvest, deer have lost most of their cover and their "homes" for the summer. They’ve gotten spooked out of their normal routine and now are on the move. Everyone needs to be vigilant during this time of year for increased danger from hitting deer.
- Be sure to have your equipment ready for harvest. Check wheel bearings, tire pressures, tie rods and other steering mechanisms. Also check PTO shielding and have Slow Moving Vehicle signs mounted properly.
(Source: Columbus Telegram.com)
