Soon, the annual prairie megaproject will be in full swing as farmers harvest the results of a year’s work. For some, hopefully not many, it may be a disappointing harvest due to local weather, pests or other problems.
Decent overall yields, however, should be a major boost to the economy. Farmers, in fact, have already made a sizeable economic contribution through their pre-harvest activity. As an economist noted in last week’s newspaper, a typical farmer may invest $300,000 in inputs and other costs in order to net about $30,000.
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In the long term, ways have to be found to give farmers a better return on their investment, skills and labor.
Today, however, that relatively narrow margin places intense pressure on farmers to complete harvest quickly before the fickle weather can ruin or degrade their crops.
That means long days, fatigue and stress for everyone involved. Too often, that fatigue and stress translates into injury or death.
After an accident, priorities are terribly clear – no crop is worth risking the life of a farm family member.
The challenge for farm families is to enforce that priority before an accident can happen. Farm safety should have just as much family discussion, planning and preparation as major production or marketing decisions.
Last week’s newspaper included a 24-page farm safety handbook that’s well worth reading and consideration.
Most of the expert advice on farm safety consists of simple reminders of things farmers have already heard.
But that doesn’t make them any less important:
- Take breaks for coffee or sandwiches, or just to stretch.
- Keep children away from machinery and chemicals.
- If there’s no seat for a rider, don’t allow a rider. Ever.
- Remember that a bin of grain can be as deadly as quicksand.
- Wear protective gear when handling chemicals.
- “Don’t rush. Take time to think about what you need to do and to plan the safest way to do it.”
Such a list could go on for a long time, but the most important item may well be simply to resolve to make safety a family priority.
Farm families should set aside time, before hectic periods like harvest, to discuss safety.
There’s no shortage of safety booklets from government agencies and agribusinesses to stimulate discussion.
But all the checklists and time-tested advice in the world can’t prevent accdents if they’re not used.
