Mark Hanna, Charles
V. Schwab, Laura
Miller
Iowa State University Extension
Harvest
is a busy time for most farm operations. Time means money
when it comes to yields, production schedules, and operating
costs, however, time also ensures safety at harvest. The extra
time it takes to perform a task properly can determine whether
the job is completed at all.
Harvest
also can be a dangerous season. According to the Iowa Department
of Public Health, approximately 500 Iowans in 1991 reported
injuries in farm machinery and equipment accidents. About
half of those accidents occurred during the months of August,
September, October, and November.
Injuries
may be caused by taking shortcuts in performing routine tasks,
not getting enough sleep or regular breaks, or failing to
follow safety practices. Some injuries occur when operators
are pulled into the intake area of harvesting machines, such
as balers, combines, or corn pickers, and many injuries occur
from slips or falls around these machines. This publication
will address ways to avoid injuries from equipment used during
harvest.
Exposure
to powerful machinery occurs most often during the harvest season.
The equipment must be powerful to effectively handle large amounts
of agricultural commodities.
Operators
may be less familiar with seasonal equipment used only a few
days each year. Operators may not be accustomed to situations
that pose possible dangers or risk.
For
these reasons, it is important to be familiar with harvest
equipment and be able to anticipate and avoid potentially
hazardous situations.
Operators
understand the dangers of the intake area on harvest equipment,
but they often fail to perceive the speed at which injuries
can occur. Operators often overestimate their ability to react
in situations involving the intake area.
For
example, a baler traveling at the speed of 3 miles per hour
pulls in crops at a rate of about 4.4 feet per second. Snapping
rolls on a cornhead pull in stalks at a rate of about 12 feet
per second. Both machines move faster than an operator can
react in common situations. If an operator tries to unplug
a stalk in a live cornhead, the snapping rolls can pull the
rest of the stalk, and the operator's arm and hand, into the
machine. This can happen in about the same time it would take
for the operator to release the freed stalk.
To avoid
entanglements, always disengage power and turn off the engine
before trying to manually clear a plugged machine. Never try
to pull or remove twine or wire from a bale case or knotter
when the baler is in operation. Likewise, never try to feed
twine by hand. Even if the engine is on idle, twine moves
through a baler faster than the operator can react.
Always
keep protective shields in place. Beware of slips or falls
that could place anyone near the machine intake area.
Operators
can decrease the incidence of plugged machines by regular
maintenance of harvest machines, late season weed control,
and operating equipment during optimal conditions.
Before
field work begins, check the operator's manual for proper
maintenance. Replace all broken pick-up tines on balers, and
dull knife cutterbar sections on grain platforms. Check spacing
on cornhead stripper bars and replace all worn belts that
could cause plugging problems in the field.
Strive
for good control of late season weeds, which often lead to
plugging in harvest machines. Know which areas often have
weed problems late in the season, and develop a weed management
strategy accordingly.
Be realistic
about weather conditions. When field conditions are wet, wait
a few hours, or an extra day if possible, before harvesting
crops. If harvest must be done in marginal conditions, expect
crops to frequently plug the machine. Allow extra time to
turn off the machine to unplug crops from the intake area.
Injuries
caused by entanglements in the intake area of a combine are
well publicized. However, reports kept by the Iowa Department
of Public Health indicate that operators are more likely to
be hurt by falling off the combine.
Normal
maintenance and operation requires mounting and dismounting
the combine sometimes dozens of times a day. Tops of combines
are 12 to 14 feet off the ground. Operator's platforms are
usually 6 to 8 feet above the ground.
Major
contributing factors are ladders and platforms near the operator's
station and engine. These areas often are painted metal, which
can be slippery under normal conditions. They become even
more treacherous in the presence of secondary hazards, such
as mud, rain, crop residue, snow, or ice.
To reduce
fall hazards, remember to:
- Always
keep all platforms free of tools or other objects.
- Frequently
clean the steps and other areas where workers stand to service,
mount and dismount, or operate the machine.
- Wear
well-fitting, comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.
- Use
grab bars when mounting or dismounting machinery.
- Be
sure your position is stable before you perform maintenance.
- Recognize
that fatigue, stress, drugs or alcohol, and age may affect
stability.
Harvest
season comes with many stresses. Exposure to dangerous situations
can increase the mental pressure, and your risk of injury.
Follow safe practices around harvest equipment to make the
most of your work time during this important season.
How
Much Do You Know?
Keeping yourself and others safe during harvest is important. Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
- If
a baler is traveling at 3 miles per hour, what is the minimum
speed at which the windrow is pulled into the machine?
- 6
inches per second
- 1
foot per second
- 4.4
feet per second
- There
is little a machine operator can do to avoid plugging equipment
during harvest. True or false?
- The
most frequent combine accident situation is
- getting
caught in the corn or grain head.
- being
crushed underneath the corn or grain head.
- falling
off the combine.
- How
high off the ground is a combine?
See
answers at the end of "What Can You Do?".
What
Can You Do?
A few actions
can protect you and others from injuries during the harvest
season.
- Always
disengage power and shut off engine before leaving operator's
station.
- Before
going to the field, check the condition of machine components
that pull the crop into the processing area, replace worn
parts, and check clearances.
- Develop
a weed management plan for field areas which often have
late season problems.
- Frequently
clean mud, crop residue or other debris from steps and other
areas.
- Inspect
soles on work shoes. If necessary, replace with soles that
have better traction.
Answers
to quiz:
1-c;
2-False; 3-c;4-12 to 14 ft.
This
publication covers only some aspects of safety during harvest.
For more information about machinery and equipment, contact
your local Extension office. Another source is the National
Safety Council (NSC), 444 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
60611. Check these NSC publications:
- Grain
Harvest Safety, Catalog #69941-0024. Fee for publication.
- Hay
and Forage Harvest Safety, Catalog #69941-0027. Fee.
- Safe
Corn Harvest, Catalog #69941-0026. Fee for publication.
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
This
document is Fact Sheet
Pm-1265h
,
a series of the Farm Safe Program, Iowa State University Extension,
Ames, Iowa. Safe Farm promotes health and safety in agriculture.
It is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, Iowa State University, and a network of groups
that serve Iowa farm workers and their families. Publication
date: August 1992.
Prepared
by Mark Hanna, Extension agricultural engineer; Charles V.
Schwab, Extension safety specialist; and Laura Miller, Extension
communications, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa.
|