Farm safety can pay big financial dividends

By Nathan Winter, University of Minnesota Extension

September 16-22 is National Farm Safety and Health Week. Avoiding farm work injuries that interfere with fall harvest can pay big financial dividends for crop producers. That is documented in a study by John Shutske, farm safety and health specialist with the University of Minnesota Extension. The study indicates that lost time during fall harvest in the upper Midwest can cost a producer over $300 per day. This total is separate from medical, hospital and other related expenses.

The first point that Shutske makes is that preparing machines before the harvest season will pay financially. This means performing routine maintenance, replacing worn parts, replacing safety shields, making sure lights and flashers work and slow-moving vehicle emblems are clean. Machinery breakdowns during harvest are likely to result in frustration or anger that leads to excess stress as well as greater chance of injury.

The second point is that safety is of utmost economic importance. Steps to increase safety include repairing safety equipment, making sure shields are in place, blocking up the combine header before working underneath, and making sure you are very visible when traveling on rural roads. Many serious lost-time injuries occur when getting in and out of a machine, so make sure ladders, steps and handholds are in good condition.

The third point involves the costliness of combine fires. Keep the combine and other machines clean. Watch for sources of combustible materials that could lead to a fire, such as leaky fuel lines, weak hydraulic hoses and oil-soaked crop residue. Make sure there are at least one, and preferably two, ten-pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers on every combine. If your combine does catch on fire, it’s important to quickly pull away from the standing crop (within a few seconds) and shut off the engine before trying to fight the fire.

The fourth point involves taking breaks as a key investment of a small amount of time to reduce injury risk and stress. It’s important to get down off a machine every two hours or so, even for a five-minute leg stretch. Drink lots of water, even in cool weather.

If you pack a lunch, include an apple, grapes, carrot sticks or other fruits and vegetables. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein give your body the necessary energy and nutrition to meet the physical demands of long work hours.

Finally, the fifth point is to set up a communication system to minimize downtime costs. Use citizens band radios or two-way radios or the trusty cell phone to keep in communication. They make it possible to improve scheduling, line up parts and repairs and coordinate family activities. They also provide a way to get help in case of an emergency. When possible, avoid using a cell phone when driving, even on rural highways. Recent studies have shown the potential for a roadway accident is four times greater when driving while using a cell phone.

Be sure to work safely and know where your family members and employees are working at all times. Thinking and acting safely will help you achieve results and reap financial benefits, while protecting those doing the farming. Those driving the roadways will again need to be extra cautious around slow moving vehicles. Some farm equipment does not have blinkers and brake lights to signal their direction and movement. Have a wonderful fall and as always practice safety in your everyday lives.

Call the McLeod County Extension Office at (320) 587-0770 or Meeker County Extension Office at (320) 693-5275 for more information or questions on farm safety, agricultural production or horticulture.

Nathan Winter is an agricultural educator for McLeod and Meeker counties with the University of Minnesota Regional Extension in Hutchinson.