Released: June 13, 2003

Remember Safety Steps During Wheat Harvest

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Amid the flurry of activity surrounding wheat harvest in Kansas, it’s important to remember safety first. Personal judgment, or lack of it, will play a major role in whether or not the 2003 harvest is completed safely.

The Kansas State University Research and Extension Ag Safety and Health Program at Kansas State University offers these tips for maintaining a safety attitude during wheat harvest.

* Practice safe work habits all the time. Set a good example for others to follow.

* Make sure you are physically and mentally fit before operating the combine or truck. Fatigue, stress, and worry can prevent a machine operator from focusing on the job at hand and safety.

* Recognize hazards. Make sure that you or whomever is operating the combine is familiar with how it operates and potential hazards. One way to accomplish this is by reviewing the operator’s manual and warning decals on the combine before beginning harvest.

* Stay current with routine machinery maintenance. Make sure all safety shields and guards are in place before harvest begins. Keep up with routine lubrication and check belts and chains regularly.

* Before approaching machinery for maintenance or inspection, make sure it is shut down with the engine off, the key is removed, and all moving parts have stopped completely.

* Keep bystanders away from harvesting equipment and never allow extra riders. One seat means one rider.

It takes time to prevent farm accidents, but it also takes just seconds for a farm accident to happen. Do your part to make this year’s harvest accident free. Plan ahead. Think safety first.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Kerri Ebert, Communications Assistant
kebert@ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News