Fall harvest can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, September 22nd – 27th has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This year’s theme is “Safety First, Avoid the Worst.” This annual promotion initiated by the National Safety Council has been proclaimed by each U.S. President since 1944. National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS).
Since harvest has started, we are seeing an increase in the amount of farm equipment traveling on local roads. As a driver, it is easy to get frustrated when you’re in a hurry and stuck behind a piece of slow-moving equipment, but please be patient. Please do not pass the farm equipment until it is safe and the operator motions for you to pass. Safety should be top priority for everyone.
Farmers should check the condition of Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs to make sure they are still fluorescent and intact. An SMV emblem is triangular, with an orange, fluorescent center and red reflective borders. Equipment and other vehicles displaying this emblem operate at less than 25 miles per hour. Additionally, farmers should check to make sure their headlights, taillights, flashing lights, hitch pins, tires, and wheel bearings are all in working order.
Most farmers are aware of equipment hazards, but over time, we can all become complacent and overconfident. Please understand that accidents with combines and other equipment can happen in an instant. Therefore, it is always important to ensure you have a way to reach emergency personnel if an issue arises and a first aid kit that can be accessed easily.
We would encourage all producers to have a working fire extinguisher with them. Ideally, we would prefer them to have a Class A or a stored water extinguisher with antifreeze solution in it and a dry chemical ABC fire extinguisher. Having a fire extinguisher readily available may be of more importance this year since we have had an exceptionally dry summer and fall.
The Purdue Agricultural Safety & Health Program just released its “2024 Indiana Farm Fatality Summary with Historical Overview.” The report states that the annual number of farm-related injuries and deaths continues to show a general downward trend that parallels the decline in the number of farm operations. The state is producing more grain, meat, eggs, and other agricultural products at a lower rate of fatalities and injuries than at any time in its history. However, while the total number of farm-related deaths has gradually declined, the fatality rate per number of workers remains one of the highest of all Indiana occupations. If you would like to review the report in its entirety, please go to www.INPrepared.org and look under the “resources” tab.
Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. All times listed are Eastern Time.
Upcoming Events:
Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 – Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association Annual Meeting,
field tours in Putnam County on Oct. 31, more info and to register at:
https://ifwoa.org
