National Farm Safety Week

Following these tips, especially during harvest season, could save lives.

Use the buddy system to load and unload grain
Always know where all workers and family members are (especially children) at all times when handling grain in a wagon or storage bin and never work alone.  A 12-inch layer of grain can weigh as much as 300 pounds, enough to entrap a grown person or suffocate a child.

Farm Safety For Just Kids recommends locking all access doors to grain storage structures and locking out power to all types of grain-handling equipment when not in use. Also, never permit children to ride in grain wagons or enter grain storage areas. Adults should wear a body harness with a lifeline or use a boatswain’s chair.

Allow plenty of time for rest
Farm workers often put in long days to harvest crops in favorable weather conditions. It’s important to get enough rest to avoid accidents in the fields or on the roadways. Teens (ages 10-17) require 8.5 to 9 hours of sleep and adults need 7 to 9 hours, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Make sure slow-moving vehicle signs are installed and easily seen
For 50 years slow-moving vehicle emblems have alerted drivers to a vehicle moving less than 25 mph. With the increased tractor and wagon traffic at harvest time, watch for slow-moving vehicles on roadways and be prepared to slow down. If you’re driving a tractor or combine, make sure the slow-moving vehicle emblem is mounted properly and is visible from the rear of your vehicle.