An ounce of prevention . . .
Like the old cliché says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That couldn’t be any more true than when it comes to safety on the farm.
The chance for farm accidents increases during harvest time. Right now, farmers are chopping ensilage, picking high-moisture corn, harvesting edible beans and drilling wheat. Before long, the soybean and corn harvest will begin.
These are busy times but shortcuts can lead to serious injury or even death. It was a shortcut that cost my dad his leg above the knee. Don’t let that be you.
We can take lessons from our youngsters who participated in the Ag Safety Day here in Imperial. Ask your kids to share the lessons they learned about grain bin safety, power take-offs, UTV operation and other perils awaiting you so you can experience a safe harvest season.
Harvest time also puts more trucks on the county roads and highways. The best way to avoid accidents is to obey traffic laws and signage.
It’s easy to think you don’t see anyone coming so why bother stopping at the intersection for that stop sign? That’s exactly why that sign is there. That message doesn’t apply just to farmers but to all drivers!
Plus, some intersections have tall corn in one or more corners, hampering visibility even more.
In a recent accident, we saw what can happen at one of those intersections when a driver doesn’t see or disregards a traffic warning sign.
Statistically, farmers and farm workers are at a high risk for both non-fatal and fatal injuries.
In 2016, 417 farmers and farm workers died from a work-related injury. Transportation incidents, which include tractor overturns, were the leading cause of death for these farmers and farm workers, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Make accident prevention a goal this harvest season. Develop an awareness of hazards on the farm and make a conscious effort to prepare for emergency situations should they occur.
We all want you farmers to have a safe harvest season this year.