August 1, 2002

Farm Safety Tips

by George Maher, Farm Safety Specialist
NDSU Extension Service

1. Where’s The First Aid Kit?

You will never know when an injury will happen. But you have to know where the first aid kit is when an injury does happen. Every farm should have several first aid kits; one on each combine, tractor, and grain truck. Serious injuries happen by surprise and you can’t wait for a first aid kit to show up. Stock up on your first aid kits or make your own; pressure bandages, first aid tape, and gauze pads are a good start. So, where is your first aid kit?

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2. Don’t Let a Fire Get Away From You!

Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense against losing a combine, truck or tractor to a fire. Every machine should have its own fire extinguisher. The extinguisher has to be close at hand and ready to go, because the fire won’t wait. You’ll need at least one 20 pound ABC dry chemical extinguisher, and probably two for the average machinery fire. Fire extinguishers should be checked for readiness at least once a year. Do you know where your extinguishers are? And are they ready to fight a fire?

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3. Keep Those Windows Clean!

Harvest time is a dusty time and it doesn’t take long for the dust to blur your vision! Dust builds up quickly and will affect your vision. Every combine, truck and tractor should have a roll of paper towels and a squirt bottle of window cleaner in the cab. Clean the windows every time you stop to unload the combine. It only takes a minute or two, and don’t forget the inside also. It is safer to see where you are going.

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4. Take A Break For A Safer Harvest

The constant roar of the combine can get to a person after a while and cause an accident. Everyone needs a break about every two or three hours. Fifteen minutes of no activity and some light refreshment will do the job. Discuss how everyone is doing, how the harvest is progressing and what the problems are. Afterwards, trade jobs with another and find the change also refreshing. Take a break and avoid an accident, it works! Try it - you’ll like it!

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5. Stop, Look, and Listen!

Trains and grain trucks are not compatible! Not in the same space, that is. Stop, Look, and Listen still works at all grade crossings. If your route to the grain bins or the elevator crosses the railroad tracks be sure to Stop, Look, and Listen to prevent an accident. Trains can’t stop on a dime and neither can a loaded grain truck, so slow down when approaching the grade crossing so you can Stop, Look, and Listen for a train!

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6. Light Up For Your Life!

The harvest is on! Often the work continues deep into the night. When it does, be sure to light up for your life - turn on the lights! Field lights when in the field and road lights when on the road. Please, turn off the field lights when on the road, it is confusing to other drivers. Be sure all the lights work before starting work every day so you’ll have them when you need them at dark. Light up to see! Light up to be seen! Light up for your life!

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7. No Riders!

Driving the combine, driving the tractor - both are solitary jobs requiring your full attention. A rider in the cab is a distraction you don’t need. Tractors have only one seat and most combines have only one seat - and it is for the operator. A rider can be a distraction, a rider can be an obstruction, and a rider can fall from the cab! Don’t let it happen! Take no riders, please!

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8. Rotate The Work

Harvest is a time when there is no room for boredom. Bad mistakes and accidents result from boredom. It pays to rotate jobs every so often, so workers stay fresh and alert. Break time is an excellent time to rotate the jobs during the harvest. The worker who runs the same machine all day is not as easily aware of minor changes that can quickly become big problems. When everyone involved gets a turn to operate different machines they are more alert and aware of any problems that might develop. Rotate the work for a safer harvest!

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9. Watch For Trash Accumulations On Combines!

Don’t let a combine fire catch you unaware. Dry harvest conditions and crop trash around hot machinery can easily cause a fire. Take time to clean crop trash from the hot spots on the combine every time it is stopped for a break, refueling, or unloading. Places to check are bearings, engine exhaust pipes, turbochargers, radiators, electric motors, hydraulic motors, chain and belt drives. Keep the fire extinguishers handy also, just in case.

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10. Put The Key In Your Pocket!

Every time you have to work on the machinery, always put the key in your pocket. Combines are big enough that you can be working on it and not be seen by anyone else around the machine. They could re-start it without knowing you are working on it. Then, you’re caught! If the key is in your pocket, the combine won’t get started until you’re finished! When your hands are in the machinery, be sure the key is in your pocket! Then you’re safe!

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11. Use Safety Blocks on Headers!

Combine and swather headers are heavy. They have crushed many workers and they will crush you. Don’t get caught in a tight spot, use the safety blocks on the lift cylinders of the header every time when you have to get under it. Don’t have cylinder safety blocks? Put wood blocks under the header to keep it off your chest. The header only has to fall on you once, then your work is finished, and so are you!

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12. Stay Out Of The Grain Tank!

Combines have a very aggressive auger in the grain tank, it grabs the grain and moves it out fast! That’s the name of the game, unload the combine and go! When it grabs your hand or your foot it won’t stop there, it will pull you right in. There is no safe way to be in the grain tank when the engine is running, so stay out of it. Farmers with just one hand or one foot know it, so should you. Stay out of the grain tank!

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, gmaher@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, rmattern@ndsuext.nodak.edu