August 9, 2001

Don’t Let Harvest’s Rush Undermine Safety on the Combine

In the rush to get the harvest out of the field, combine operators need to keep safety in mind, says a farm safety specialist at North Dakota State University.

"The combine is still one of the three most dangerous machines on North Dakota farms," notes George Maher of the NDSU Extension Service. Agricultural Injury Surveillance Statistics collected as recently as 1995 show that the combine, grain auger, and tractor were the machines most involved in North Dakota agricultural injuries.

Maher offers some tips for a safer harvest:

• Keep a freshly filled fire extinguisher on each combine. A 10 pound ABC dry chemical type extinguisher is ideal. The extinguisher should be mounted near the steps and not more than head high from the ground.
• Maintain a complete first aid kit on the combine. It should be equipped with supplies for treating major injuries -- large bandages, stretch wraps, and pressure pads or bandages -- in addition to the regular contents for first aid kits. The first aid kit also should be mounted near the steps and not more than head high from the ground.
• Replace the air filter for the cab’s air conditioning system. Grain dust and the filter itself can harbor mold, which will be a respiratory problem for the operator.
• Prepare the machine thoroughly for harvest. Repairs and parts replacement that were put off from last year need to be done with plenty of time available. Rushed or delayed repairs can lead to injuries.
• Conduct a safety check before taking to the field. Replace all guards and shields that may have been removed. Replace or repair all lights that don’t work, especially transport lights such as headlights and taillights.
• Inspect fields for erosion washouts and other hazards that may have developed during the growing season. Let other workers know about them, too.
• Adjust and service the combine at least daily. Keep other workers clear of the machine while making adjustments that must be made with the machine running. Don’t take chances. Always follow the instructions from the operator’s manual.
• Allow the combine to cool before refueling. Fuel vapors can easily ignite on hot engine and combine parts.
• Grease and check the combine in the morning when your mind and memory are fresher. Follow recommendations in the operator’s manual. Put the ignition key in your pocket while you are working on the combine so no one can start it up while you are working on the machine.
• Check hydraulic leaks carefully. Use a piece of cardboard, wood, or sheet metal to detect leaks. Hydraulic oil under high pressure can easily be injected through the skin and result in serious medical problems.
• Drive the combine only while you are alert. It is easy to get into a hypnotic state from hours of steady operation. Schedule breaks for everyone about every two to three hours. Change jobs with someone else who can drive the combine for a while.
• Use the safety stops on the header lift cylinders when working under the header. Don’t trust hydraulics with your life.
• Keep your distance from other vehicles in the field. Always know where other machines are and stay out of their blind spots. Many combine and other vehicle collisions happen when only two machines are in the field.
• Plan on moving combines from field to field only during daylight. Driving combines on public roads after dark can be very dangerous. Grain dust hanging in the air reduces visibility and increases the chance for collisions, especially after dark.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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