Harvest Planning: Safety

Farm accidents are a nightmare in many ways, and we empathize with the families and communities that have suffered them. We know farming is one of the most dangerous jobs, and we try to lessen the risk with safety mindfulness.

Our Harvest Safety Video is easy to understand and serves as a quick, potent reminder of our most basic harvest recommendations. Of course, there is always the chance of an accident, but awareness can hopefully mitigate that. See our Learning Center for more videos and to order our exclusive Silage Safety Coloring books – great for kids and adults both!

• Meet with everyone involved before harvest (1 – 2 weeks before).
  1. Go over harvest goals
  2. Be clear about communications – develop hand signals that everyone uses
  3. Know who is responsible for what
  4. Create a group text and teach everyone when to call 911
  5. Issue safety vests or other safety clothing and insist that everyone wears it
• Chopper safety

• • Follow the manufacturer’s suggested safety procedures
  • Leave guards in place – replace any worn safety stickers
  • Insist on a total equipment shutdown when unplugging or stopping for any reason
  • Establish stay-clear zones around the chopper
  • Truck drivers should be aware of rules and speed limits

• Pile and bunker safety

• • Plan for and construct drive-over piles – 3:1 or 4:1 slope
  • Use sight rails on bunkers, and don’t overfill
  • Add weight evenly to all pack tractor tires for safety and better packing
  • Lift, pull, and push all sealing materials correctly to avoid muscle strains

• Silo gas

• • Stay away from orange, low to the ground Nitrogen Dioxide, which forms in the first 24 to 72 hours
  • Tower silos – watch for the same plus carbon dioxide
  • Never work alone

• Take care of yourself, your families, and your employees

• • Sleep, eat, drink fluids, and take rest breaks
  • Absolutely no drug or alcohol use

Don’t let the excitement of harvest sidetrack your safety efforts. Huge choppers, trucks and tractors; sharp knives, strong personalities, Mother Nature, and the clock combine to make harvest a tie to be extra sensitive to safety. A well-planned harvest will go a long way in alleviating much anxiety. – Connor Agriscience Harvest Safety Video

If you are in need of Sealpro® SIlage Barrier Films, please call Ron Kuber at 559-779-5961, or ask your contractor to arrange. Many sizes and styles still available. Tired of the tires? Try our NEW Flortex® Silage Covering System. Reusable for up to 10 – 15 years, safe to walk on, and NO TIRES!