(Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network) Farm Safety Week is September 21-27, and it’s a good reminder for all of us in agriculture to think carefully about how we approach safety during harvest. But the truth is, one week of reminders won’t cut it. Safety has to stick with us through the whole season, because the dangers don’t disappear once this week is over.
Harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year. After months of planning, planting, and watching the crop grow, we finally get to bring it in. But let’s not sugarcoat it—it’s also one of the most stressful times. Equipment is running sunup to sundown, trucks are on the road all hours of the day, and everyone is pushing to beat the weather. Long hours, tight schedules, and fatigue can turn even the smallest mistake into a serious accident.
Let’s start with the roads. We all know the sight—an impatient driver pulling around a combine or racing to beat a grain truck to the intersection. It’s frustrating and dangerous. And while you can’t control their choices, you can control your own visibility. That means checking those flashers before you leave the yard. Make sure your slow-moving vehicle signs are clean, bright, and easy to see. Flipping your lights on at dusk, not waiting until it’s pitch dark. Little details like that can buy other drivers the time they need to react.
Now think about the fields. Conditions change quickly this time of year. A washed-out spot, a soft edge near a ditch, a low-hanging powerline—those are hazards you can’t afford to ignore. Do you have a plan for how equipment moves in and out of the field? Do your cart drivers know where to wait so they aren’t crossing paths with trucks? Is everyone using the radio or phone to call out their moves so nobody’s guessing where the other guy is? Communication might feel like an extra step in the rush of harvest, but it prevents a lot of close calls.
Then there’s the shop and the yard. Harvest puts a lot of wear and tear on machinery, and breakdowns are bound to happen. When they do, are you taking the extra time to shut things off, block things up, and make sure equipment is stable before you crawl underneath? A few extra minutes of caution can keep a repair from becoming a rescue.
And while we’re talking machinery, don’t forget about fire risk. Combines run hot, and when you mix in dry crops, dust, and wind, flames can spark fast. Are you taking time to blow machines off at night? Do you have a working extinguisher in the cab, and maybe even one on the service truck? Watching for smoke, checking bearings, and keeping things clean can mean the difference between a close call and a total loss.
And we can’t ignore the human side. Fatigue is one of the biggest dangers we face. After ten, twelve, or even fourteen-hour days, focus starts to slip. That’s when people cut corners. That’s when accidents happen. Sometimes the safest decision you’ll make all season is the one to stop for the night, get some food, and come back at it rested. The crop will wait.
We also need to think about the extra help that comes in this time of year. Neighbors, seasonal workers, or kids just getting off the school bus. They may not know all the ins and outs of the operation. A quick safety talk—where the fire extinguisher is, how to shut something down in an emergency, where not to stand when a truck is backing up—can save someone’s life.
At the end of the day, Farm Safety Week is a good reminder. But the truth is, safety isn’t about one week on the calendar. It’s about making the choice, every single day, to do things the right way. The crop will still be there tomorrow. The people waiting for you at home need you there tonight. And that’s the most important harvest of all.
