The No. 1 harvest rule: Be safe!
Hello everyone! Every fall I devote my September column to farm safety. This year is no exception, and my wish is for everyone to be extra safe in what may be a rushed, late harvest year. As everyone is getting machinery and bins ready, it is a great time to think about safety, and to take preventative measures to make your farming operation as safe as possible. September is Farm Safety Month, and Farm Safety Week is Sept. 20-26. As most of you are aware, farming is an extremely hazardous occupation, and production agriculture has one of the highest death and injury rates of any industry in this country. On average in Illinois, we experience about 34 farm work-related deaths per year. Even though September is Farm Safety Month, safety should be promoted throughout the year, and as safety issues are often changing and evolving, we need to learn about the risks and how to reduce farm-related injuries and accidents and concentrate on safety year round. I would like to highlight a few of the more common causes of accidents and methods to prevent and avoid these incidents.
Electricity is a big, underrated hazard on a farm. Electrical panels are common causes of accidents and fire, and they must be maintained properly. Outlets should be three-pronged and grounded. In wet areas, a ground fault circuit interrupter is necessary. These devices can interrupt a power surge in as little as 25/1000 of a second. As for outside electrical hazards, make sure outside electrical lines are high enough for machinery to pass safely underneath. This is especially true around grain bins where augers are being used. The No. 1 electrical hazard on a farm is the potential contact from a grain auger. Periodically check the grounding rods and wires around buildings and power poles. These rods and wires can become damaged and broken. There are many more electrical precautions to take on a farm; these are just a few of the major sources of accidents. But most of all, just be careful and cautious when working with or around electricity. These accidents are always the most unexpected.
It may sound redundant, but mowing accidents are the No. 1 cause of death for Illinois farmers. Mowing ditches is an especially dangerous chore, but safety precautions can minimize the risk. The blade on a common mower rotates to provide 52 cuts per second, which translated into feet is 300. This is a lot of movement in a short amount of time, so caution must be exercised at all times when using either a riding mower, tractor or walk-behind. Equipment should be well maintained to avoid mechanical mishaps. Wait until the grass is dry before mowing. When the grass is growing rapidly, there is typically more grass left from the previous cutting. This retains moisture and causes slippage. This, in addition to lack of traction from wet ground, can cause accidents. And when mowing ditches on a rider or tractor mow up and down the slope. When using a push mower, it is better to mow across the slope. Never mow a ditch with more than a 15 percent slope. This is hard to do, especially when you are in a hurry and have just a few steep spots to mow. Now that weeds are so high, it is hard to tell how steep your slope is. It is better to leave a few tall weeds rather than take a chance of a rollover accident. ROPS or rollover protective structures should be in place on all mowers/tractors used in areas with an incline. Make sure the engine and attachments are shut off before dismounting the tractor.
The safe movement of farm machinery on public roadways is always a big concern during planting and especially harvest. During a seven-year period, the Illinois Department of Transportation indicates at least 45 people have been killed in accidents involving farm machinery on public roadways. Those killed were primarily from the non-agricultural driving public. Left turns across the opposite lane of traffic can turn into particularly hazardous situations. And proper lighting is an extremely important safety factor on farm machinery. Lighting is required from 30 minutes before sundown to 30 minutes after sunrise. Two white lamps should be set as wide apart on the front of the vehicle as possible, and visible from 1,000 feet. Two red lamps set as wide apart as possible on the rear of the vehicle and also should be visible from 1,000 feet. There should be at least one flashing amber signal lamp on the rear of the vehicle, mounted as high as possible and visible from 500 feet. When towing equipment, the rearmost towed implement must have two red lamps mounted on it. Only the rearmost towed implement or wagon needs need to have the amber flashing light. Reflectors mounted as far out on the extremity as possible on all wide equipment (planters, discs, etc.) are recommended. Slow-moving vehicle emblems are required for all equipment moving on public roadways. The Illinois Vehicle Code identifies and requires implements designed and adapted exclusively for agricultural, horticultural and livestock-related operations be marked with this sign. A practical feature of the slow-moving vehicle sign is to warn approaching vehicles to slow down. If a car is traveling 55 mph when 400 feet behind a tractor traveling at 15 mph, it only takes seven seconds to reach the tractor.
Some other areas of concern on a farm are PTO (power takeoff) shafts; this equipment moves at great speeds and is often incorrectly shielded or not shielded at all. Caution must be exercised at all times, and children should never be allowed near this equipment when in operation. Grain bin safety is another huge area for concern; even the most experienced operator can misjudge the bins and their potential for hazard. The downward force of grain, the effect of that downward force in the engulfment process, and the ineffectiveness of common responses in flowing grain incidents all can lead to deadly accidents. There are many other hazards on a farm. These are just a few of the more common accidents that occur, so please be safe and exercise caution at all times. For more information about farm safety, contact our office at (815) 875-2878. But most of all, have a safe and productive 2009 harvest!
Please keep our office in mind as a resource for various farm-related information, such as custom rate sheets, lease forms, and farm record books. Commercial and private pesticide training calendars and study materials may also be obtained at our office, located at 850 Thompson St. in Princeton. Also, don’t forget about farmdoc.uiuc.edu as an additional resource that many producers rely on for useful, relevant information.
Thanks to all who visited the pork tent during Homestead Festival! More than 5,000 pork chops and burgers were served on Saturday at Soldiers and Sailors Park, and more on Sunday at the car show. It was a fabulous day! Thanks again to all who supported and volunteered at the pork tent! Volunteer opportunities are available; please contact our office at (815) 875-2878.
Sherry Hockings is the agricultural program coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension — Bureau County.
