It’s important to perform inspections on your equipment to find and address any serious problems before you hit the field. If you don’t check for wear and tear on your equipment, important items could be overlooked and present risk to machine operators.
When working around large equipment, always perform a walkaround first and familiarize yourself with danger zones or areas of risk. Be aware of moving parts and especially Power Take-Offs (PTOs) where risk is increased. Never try to dislodge or fix a part while your machine is on and make sure equipment is shut off and in park position before exiting the cab. Remember that the safety shields, guard and roll bars are there for your safety and should never be missing or removed.
If you have children around the farm, make certain they know the danger zones and understand the risks. If teenagers will be working on the farm, provide them with detailed training and check on them regularly. It is important that teens are not tasked with jobs they are not capable of completing. If there are young kids on the farm, keep them far away from machinery.
During the harvest season, it is hard to remember what our body needs, but it is important that you stay well rested by sleeping and taking breaks. Fatigue plays a big role in your body and can have a negative impact if you try to push through it. Always wear protective footwear and close-fitting clothes when working around machinery and appropriate safety gear where noise, dust or toxic materials are present.
When traveling on the road, make sure that you have the proper lighting and reflectors on your equipment so motorists can see you. This is especially important during sunrise and sunset or during poor weather. Before you take your equipment out, it’s a good idea to plan your route and check to make certain your equipment doesn’t exceed heights of overhead obstructions like power lines or bridges.
Before you start your harvest, ensure that you have a safety plan in place. The safety plan should include how your team communicates, safety equipment required on the job and roles and responsibilities in a safety incident. Everyone on the team should have easy access and know the location of first aid kits. Additionally, include safety policies, rules, procedures, diagrams, maps and contact information along with any first aid training or refresher courses.