Vo. 27 No. 4

Preparing for Harvest Season

As harvest season fast approaches, it is important to remember that safety should always be the number one priority. Although, the number of farming accidents are dropping each year, more accidents happen during harvest season than any other time of the year. Farmers are working long hours, due to the stress of the weather and other time crunches. Harvest season can be one of the most stressful times of the year for farmers and sometime they forget to slow down and remember what is important. Here are some important things to remember when you, your family, neighbors and friends are out harvesting.

– Do shut off all unloading equipment and turn off PTO before dismounting a
tractor.
– Stay away from moving parts. Never leave an auger or machinery with a belt,
chain or rotating pulley running.
– Do not wear loose, baggy clothes. Do not leave strings in hooded sweatshirts.
– Do remove any necklaces or jewelry when working around moving objects and
always have your long hair tied back (if you have long hair).
– Do not let children side on the side of the tractor, if there is not an extra seat,
there should not be and extra rider.
– If you become stuck in a grain bin or silo, stay near the outer wall and keep
moving. If you find yourself stuck in a grain bin, place your hands over your mouth
and nose to create an air pocket.
– Do not work alone, especially when working in or around grain bins. Always have
someone nearby to hear you if you become trapped or injured.
– Keep your Roll-Over Protective Structure in place at all times. Fall is a busy time
of year for anyone and an accident can happen at any time.
– Keep up on tractor and machinery maintenance.

Although, this sounds like common sense, especially for those who have worked on and around farms their whole lives, sometimes it is hard to remember when working long days and trying to get something finished. Slow down and stay safe this harvest\ season, and every season to come!

 

Partner Highlight: Wisconsin Farm Center

AgrAbility of Wisconsin collaborates with the Wisconsin Farm Center to offer the best for the farmers in Wisconsin. If you are unaware of what the Farm Center does, it serves the state’s farmers and agribusinesses in sustaining and growing Wisconsin’s agriculture economy and rural communities. The Farm Center has been a service to Wisconsin’s farmers since 1984. The resources they offer are free, and include Financial Planning, Farm Transitions, Conflict Mediation, Herd-Based Diagnostics, Energy-Related Issues, Minority Farmers Outreach and Counseling Services, Farm Transfer, Veteran Farmer Assistance and Outreach Program and Organic, Livestock Grazing and Specialty Crops.

The Farm Transfer program is a program that helps farmers start up their own operation, relocate their farm for various reasons, help retiring farmers find someone to take over the operation and farmers that want to expand their current operations.

For more information on the Wisconsin Farm Center, visit their website,
http://datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Wisconsin_Farm_Center or call 1-800-942-2474.

 

Farm Safety Highlight: Tractor Rollover Protection Rebate Program

Rollover farm tractor accidents are the number one cause of deaths for farming related accidents.

Each year, about 96 deaths happen due to tractor rollovers.

Roughly, half of the tractors in the United States do not have rollover protection, which can put farmers in a dangerous, potentially life-threatening situation. The most effective way to prevent tractor overturn death is the use of Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS), which are 99 percent effective in preventing injury or death. There is a National ROPS Rebate Program, however it is not offered in every state but lucky enough,
Wisconsin is one of the states who has it.

The program provides rebates for approximately 70 percent (maximum of $865) of the cost for purchasing and installing the ROPS kit, which includes a seatbelt and a roll bar. If you are not familiar with what a rollover bar is, it could be a simple medal bar, like in the picture, a frame or a crush proof cab on a tractor or other equipment. There are also individual insurance companies and corporations throughout the state that gives farmers rebates if they install ROPS. Any tractor that was purchased after 1985 is made with protection, but many farmers still work with their old tractors.