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Carol Keene
New York
Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health
Numerous
accidents occur due to corn harvesting accidents each year.
Nearly all of these could be prevented simply with the use
of safety precautions.
One
factor affecting safety during corn harvest is the weather.
Corn can become wet or icy during the rain and cold of late
fall, making it more likely to clog both corn pickers and
combines. It's also likely to fall over, creating hazardous
field conditions. If you must harvest under these conditions,
make sure you slow your ground speed and take in less corn
than you normally would.
Likewise,
hot and dry conditions also pose a threat. Dry corn can catch
fire easily and burn rapidly. This will not only endanger
you and your equipment, but your crops as well. To avoid this
possibility, watch for overheated bearing or belts, remove
chaff and stalks from near the manifold, and keep your harvesting
machinery equipped with a fire extinguisher at all times.
As with
all farm vehicles, carrying extra riders on corn harvesting
equipment is especially hazardous. Unnecessary riders can
fall under the machinery, get caught in gears or belts, and
can also distract the driver. Be especially careful to watch
for children in the fields. The best way to avoid second party
accidents is to keep anyone not involved in the harvest far
away from the corn and the harvesting equipment.
Fatigue
is another enemy of corn harvesting safety. Harvesting corn
is a very demanding task, and requires constant alertness
on the part of the person operating the machines. Equipment
in poor operating condition, combined with long hours, can
make it difficult for farmers to maintain a high level of
awareness. This problem could be avoided through careful planning
before harvest time. Inspecting and repairing equipment before
harvest time and restructuring your work to allow for rest
periods will help you avoid fatigue-related accidents.
An efficient
and safe autumn corn harvest depends a great deal on how well
you prepare yourself for accidents. Remember to be aware of
the hazards presented by embankments, second parties, weather,
and fatigue. But most of all, remember that most corn harvesting
accidents occur due to failure of the operator to stop his
equipment before servicing or unclogging it. The key to safety
here is remembering this simple rule: If you must stop your
machinery to fix it, TURN IT OFF FIRST!!!
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Carol
Keene, Northeast Center Coordinator, NYCAMH.
This public service announcement was produced by the New York
Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH), One
Atwell Road, Cooperstown, New York 13326 - Ph# (607) 547-6023
or (800) 343-7527 in the northeast. Publication date: 1994.
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