Safety
AROUND YOUR HOME

Have a great, safe harvest

When it's harvest time the pressure is on! Good weather and daylight hours always seem to be at a premium when you're trying to gather nature's bounty in top condition. Planned maintenance and skilled equipment operation can minimize downtime and reduce potential for mishaps during harvest.

The most severe farm accidents often involve machinery, including electrically powered equipment. Missing guards and shields, failure to recognize hazards and careless operation are common factors in a majority of farm equipment-related injuries. According to a study of data collected in 1990-93, combines, threshers and hay-processors accounted for 4.7 percent of the injuries to children up to 19 years of age. Among these, children ages 5-9 were found to be at the greatest risk.

Although manufacturers build more safety features into equipment today than ever before, some potential hazards can't be completely eliminated without interfering with machine function. For example, if the blades on a rotary mower were completely shielded, they would not cut material.

Working safely requires knowledge, alertness and hazard awareness. It's natural for us to take pride in our ability to work long hours in pursuit of a goal. Nowhere is this more evident than in harvesting operations. However, fatigue, drowsiness and illness frequently contribute to mishaps in the field. Here are a few things that will help make your harvest season a safe one for the entire family:

Carry out pre-season maintenance and repair several weeks before harvest. Clear plugged equipment only after the power is turned off. All guards and shields should be secured before equipment is started. Wear comfortable close-fitting clothing, including sturdy, protective shoes. Kids are a "no-no" around machinery. Far too many tragedies occur when youngsters end up in the path of equipment from which the operator's view is restricted.

Always let someone else know where you are.

Check in regularly. Keep children off grain tranportation equipment. Avoid sleep deprivation and extreme physical exhaustion. Never use drugs or alcohol when operating farm equipment.

Watch for electrical hazards too

Electricity is an essential tool on the farm, but that power shouldn't cost an arm, a leg...or your life. Lack of knowledge and skill are the leading cause of farm accidents involving electricity, especially accidents that involve children, who are often less aware of the unseen dangers of electric power.

Farmers depend on many tools powered by electricity. Some farm implements, like augers, are tall and can come into contact with overhead electrical wires. Most overhead power lines on a farm carry 7,200 volts. Any contact with this much electrical current could be fatal. Make sure overhead power lines are well maintained and have adequate clearance to avoid contact with ladders, grain augers and other machinery.

To keep yourself and your family safe:

• Teach your children about the risks of unsafe practices and to respect the power of electricity.

• Keep faceplates on switches and outlets.

• Keep electrical panels free of dust and debris, and keep them covered to reduce shock and fire hazard.

• Use properly maintained tools and equipment that is double insulated.

• Don't use electrical tools around water.

• Equip the shop area with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) and use three-prong grounding plugs.

• Use undamaged electrical cords and don't carry tools by their cords. Grip the plug, not the cord, to unplug a tool.

• Switch off and unplug a tool before you change parts or clean it, or if it begins to smoke or burn.

Source: Farm Safety for Just Kids • www.fs4jk.org

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING AUGUST 2001