Safety Precautions for Harvest Season
By Joe Anderson, CPCU, ARM AFSB, CBRA
Principal & Fractional Chief Risk Officer
Harvesting equipment is among the most dangerous machinery that agricultural workers transport & operate. It is particularly hazardous because workers may only use it seasonally, reducing their experience and comfort level with it.
Before the harvest season, employers should ensure that workers familiarize themselves with their equipment and work environment, reviewing the hazards each presents. This can allow them to take appropriate precautions to improve safety.
Actions for workers and employers to consider include:
Before the harvest season begins, review operation manuals and manufacturer instructions and follow maintenance guidelines for all machinery.
Review equipment loading and unloading safety procedures with all employees.
Ensure everyone who operates machinery or equipment has the appropriate training and personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, earplugs, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, respirators).
Clean equipment and check to ensure all guards and shields are secured.
Inspect the fields for changes since the last harvest, including looking for excess debris, limbs, stumps, rocks, or other objects that create driving hazards. Remove items that present risks and clearly mark the hazards that cannot be removed. Additionally, note the presence of power lines so they can be avoided.
Plan harvest routes to drive up and down steep hills, not across them, and to avoid operating near ditches to prevent rollovers. Rollover protective structures should also be affixed to tractors, and operators should wear seat belts.
Set the harvest plan to avoid travelling in the dark and during peak traffic times. Additionally, make sure rest times and breaks are incorporated into the schedule.
Inspect all machines (e.g., power take-offs) and ensure they are properly set up. Check key equipment components (e.g., hydraulic hoses, lights, brakes, tires, turning signals, slip clutches, rear gate latches) to make sure they are in proper working order. Repair or replace them as needed.
Clean the slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem on the rear of all vehicles and ensure that it is visible to others. Check reflectors and flashers and review all lightning and marking requirements, ensuring they are met.
Review safe driving procedures with employees and appropriate signage for oversized loads.
Ensure access to hydration and sunscreen and eat healthily.
Review the emergency communication plan so everyone knows how to respond in an emergency. Develop one if it does not exist. Have a first aid kit and a tourniquet on hand.
To help ensure a safe and successful harvest season, agricultural employers and workers should proactively take steps to improve safety. Taking these preventative actions can help reduce the risk of injury. Contact Fortify Risk Management today for additional risk management information.