Forage Crop Harvesting Safety

Background

• Accidents in the harvesting of forage crops are not uncommon and often very serious.
• The variety of machinery used (e.g., choppers, balers, windrowers) to harvest hay and silage crops can be hazardous.
• In addition, equipment malfunction or break down in the field leads to reduced productivity and greater likelihood of someone incurring an injury.
• Forage harvesting also often requires extra help, which may not be properly trained and supervised.

Tips

• With a big round baler,
  1. make certain everyone is clear before opening the rear gates;
  2. drop the bales on relatively level surfaces where they cannot roll;
  3. use a rear-mounted bale handler;
  4. and equip a front-end loader with grapple hooks, keeping the load low and speed slow to avoid a tip-over.
• With a forage chopper,
  1. shut off the engine and make sure the cutter head has stopped rotating before opening the access plate or door;
  2. and work with extra care and heed safety precautions in your operator's manual when sharpening the knives or making any adjustments.
• Limit loads that workers must lift to reduce the risk of back injury.
• Be sure any needed extra help are both adequately trained for their tasks and supervised.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitted clothing, safety shoes and head cover (bump cap) to avoid overexposure to the sun.
• Consider such personal protective equipment as a filter respirator, acoustic ear muffs or plugs, and protective goggles for added protection in dusty, noisy conditions.
• Drink plenty of fluids (but not alcohol) as you work.
• Keep children away from forage harvesting operation.

(Also see "Safe Use of Forage Harvesting Machinery" under Field Machinery/ Implements Safety.)