Moscow, ID - As the harvest season winds to a close, I think back on this summer and all that has happened. Although the harvest was successful, there were still moments that would have scared any mother. As the last load of grain went into the last semi to the river, I pondered the importance of farm safety.
In the year 2000 there was a report that claimed that there are, on average, 270 deaths on farms big and small. Even though equipment and efforts have been made in the last 10 years to prevent this number, I am certain when newer numbers come out it will compare. So, here are some things to look for on the farm in all four seasons to help reduce the number of accidents and prevent the unthinkable.
1. Tractor and Combine - Family farming reaches into the very depths of who we are in American farming and in more cases than none the farm wouldn't survive without the help of family both young and old. There are stats out there that contribute 200 of the 270 deaths to some sort equipment operation. These hazards are usually found in roll overs and running someone over. Even with the greatest technological advances a rollover could prove to be very fatal. When I was a young kid around six or seven there was a neighbor, age 14, that was involved in a tractor rollover. The young guy was driving down the road with his fathers tractor spraying weeds I believe when his hat blew off of his head. When he swung back around to catch the hat his tractor veered off the road and over a bank, he did not make it. Other examples of tractor accidents include clothing catching in PTO shafts, catching gear shift handles on dismount, and rolling over by-standers. While each case is unique, there are a few things to do before operating equipment that will assure extra care.
First, always inspect equipment at the beginning of the season and quickly before each season. This will ensure that Roll Over Protection Systems (ROPS), seat belts, and equipment is in tact and in proper working order. It is common for me to find a bolt loose on a ROPS on a tractor and although it isn't anything someone did, such an error can prove to be fatal. Make sure that you are watching for all people in the working radius of the equipment and constantly evaluating your path of motion in order to avoid hazards. Also, a little training prior to the start of the season is a great way to prevent bigger problems. This year one of the hired hands ran a couple semi tires over the tractor bucket at the home storage bins, something that five minutes of training could have saved precious time, money, and frustration.
Second, encourage operators to pay attention to the operation of the equipment they are running. In my opnion, one of the biggest mistakes Russel made in the accident was placing the value of his hat above that of the tractor he was operating and ultimately, his life. Instilling a sense of responsibility in operators and family members to pay attention at all times in which direction the equipment is running and what path it is taking, setting aside the concern for something that can be replaced for less than the cost of a life. Make sure that operators are familiar with equipment before turning them loose, something that is always stunning to see how many farmers don't assure. A combine can cost more than $300,000 and for some reason a fresh operator with no experience is put in the cab and there is wonder when a rollover happens or when a header is stuck in a bank. A half day of operation training may save others and yourself.
2. Home Commodity Storage - Most of us are familiar with the dangers of a PTO shaft and if you are not, this is a moment to mention a little bit about them. I was working on a hog farm a few years back with an older gentleman who some years back had been pumping slurry from a pit in the finishing barn. While he was mounting the back of one of the Farmall tractors, he slipped and fell straddling the PTO shaft. Luckily, the farm worker was strong enough to grab the seat and pull himself up and hold until someone was able to shut the tractor off, but not before breaking bones and tearing his overalls clean off of his body. Consistantly I see farm operators walking up and engaging and disengaging PTOs on tractors from the back end between the tire and the shaft. This is a big "NO-NO" and should be avoided at all times. When you are involved in a home storage operation like the one in the picture, be sure to pay attention at all times to what is happening, keep your hands and clothing clear of all moving parts, and once again, teach the importance of life before the value of a favorite hat, shovel, broom, or sadly, even pens. Augers are nothing to be tangoing with.
3. Trucking and Moving Grain - To some the trucking part of their operation is forgotten. As a long time operator of trucks of all sizes on our farm, I assure you it is very important to keep your trucking and grain cart operations in check. Throughout harvest we hear stories of hired labor putting trucks in ditches, not setting parking breaks correctly, and misuse of truck hoists. I can tell you that the efficiency of your truck driver in all seasons is a deal breaker. If your combine or tractor are sitting for 15 minutes each round trip through out the day, that is 150 minutes in a 10 load day, and in month long harvest that is 3,900 minutes. How many bulk tanks or trips around the field is that?
One of the most common things we see in trucking on farms is, of course, the ditch or running into something. Believe it or not, I have put a truck in a ditch or two, or three, in my lifetime and I have just started. What was it that causes this? I can say from experience it is from being in a rush, not paying attention to the road due to off road distractions or cell phones. Keep a close eye on your operators because a spilt load of grain or fertilizer could mean the loss of thousands of dollars and possibly a life. Make sure you train these drivers as well and walk them through unfamiliar situations, even if they are coming from another farm operation. Time is money and 3,900 minutes is $780 ($12/hr) pay to a driver who made a mistake or didn't do their part to keep the operation moving.
Grain carts are a different situation. Many operations are at the size where a grain cart is pivital to trucker turn around and to keeping that combine moving in the field. Have the operator approve a path prior to taking it, as each operator has a different level of skill or knowledge when it comes to operating on hills or through fields with ditches. Many times we have seen pictures of a grain cart with a full load on a hillside with a tire broken off or overturned. This can be avoided by providing insight and keeping safety at the forefront of your mind.
One of the greatest concerns I have when I am on the farm is of the little kids running around. On any given day on the farm there can be one or two, and sometimes four or five, kids taking in the life experience of the family farm. By the sheer curiousity of their small minds, they try for a closer look, stretch for that extra thrill, or try to be "just like dad." Be aware of this at all times. When I have a young one with me I have them stand off to the side and make them stand there until things are taken care of. The statistics don't say it, but a good share of those 270 deaths on a farm are of young kids who are operating equipment or riding along. Be safe and treat those kids like the golden goose egg you don't want to break. I like to make sure that the kids know not to touch any buttons in the truck or tractor until at least age 10 or 12. When I am out of the truck, they are too and they stand where I can see them at all times. Take time to teach your young ones about the machinery and what it does, the best way for them to understand why its not safe is by explanation.
Take these few tips and apply them to your operation and see how much difference there is. Life is so precious and although I did not hear of any deaths here on the Palouse this year yet, I know somewhere in America there was and someone is hurting because of it. Keep safety as the top priority and you will be able to enjoy that fall BBQ with everyone and every finger and toe accounted for.
(Photo Credit: Mike Friddle)
