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Harvest Season Safety for Farmers and Farm Workers

On Behalf of | Sep 24, 2019 | Workers' Compensation, Workplace Injuries

The fall harvest season is a busy one for those who work on farms. Even though there is so much to do, there is no reason for safety to fall on the back burner. By keeping it a top priority, everyone who is working to bring the crops in can go home safely at the end of the day.

There are many risks during this time. Remembering these safety tips can help you to make it through each shift without injury.

Get enough rest

Days are long when you are working in the fields. The conditions are sometimes harsh. Because you get up early every morning and might not get home until the evenings, it is easy to skimp on rest. Fatigue is a serious issue when working with heavy machinery. Try to give your mind and body a rest in the middle of your workday, possibly around the time you eat lunch.

Learn how to operate machinery

The heavy equipment you use when harvesting can be dangerous. Always turn it off if you are going to have to leave the equipment, even if only for a minute. You also have to watch for other people who are working in the same area as your machinery. Catastrophic injuries can occur if a person is run over by a farm equipment.

Practice road safety

If you have to operate your equipment on a public road, use proper road safety. The equipment needs to have the reflective triangle on the back. This warns drivers that you are moving slowly. You should also always assume that traffic is heading your way when you are turning onto the roadway. Don’t assume that drivers will slow down or stop.

If there is any doubt about whether you can make it onto the road and start moving safely, wait until you can be sure. Use appropriate hand signals or turn signals to let drivers know when you are going turn, and always travel as far on the right side of the road as possible.

If you do suffer an injury while working to bring in the crops, seek medical care. These injuries might not seem significant, but there could be underlying issues. Ultimately, you can opt to file a claim for compensation if the injury was due to defective equipment or tools, or if there is a chance of filing for workers’ compensation.

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