Harvest Safety First: Checklist Every Farmer Should Use This Season
Harvest season is high-risk. Use this expert-backed farm safety checklist to prevent accidents, protect your crew, and stay alert during long days in the field.
The busy fall harvest is no time to cut corners on safety. According to ag safety experts from top land-grant universities, your best tool isn't in the machine shed - it's you. Knowing your limits, staying alert, and creating a structured safety plan is essential.
"Get enough sleep. Take short breaks. Clear your head away from the equipment," says Kent McGuire, ag safety coordinator at Ohio State University. When fatigue hits, decision-making suffers - and accidents follow.
Before harvest even begins, make sure fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and personal protective equipment (PPE) like steel-toe boots, hearing protection, N-95 masks, and safety glasses are in place - and being used.
To help, here's a practical daily safety checklist recommended by university extension experts:
| Harvest Safety Checklist | |
|---|---|
| Belts and chains properly adjusted and shielded | |
| Safety latches and locks functional | |
| Flashers and lights clean and operational | |
| All controls clearly marked; gauges functional | |
| SMV (slow-moving vehicle) emblem visible | |
| Warning decals clean and undamaged | |
| Equipment cleaned to prevent fire risk |
Moving equipment on roads? Use reflective tape, red taillights, and always keep flashing lights on, even during daylight. If possible, use escort vehicles to scout ahead for traffic and road hazards - especially helpful during busy commute hours.
"Clean windshields and stay off roads during peak traffic when possible," advises Josie Rudolphi from the University of Illinois. Blind spots and dusty twilight travel hours increase risk. If equipment blocks your view, get out and check. Honk three times before starting. Never wear loose clothing, and always tie back long hair.
Children deserve special attention during harvest. Just because they look capable doesn't mean they are ready, warns Tawnie Larson of Kansas State University. Children under 16 working for non-parent employers face strict rules: no operating tractors over 20 PTO hp or connecting implements unless certified. But even parents should adopt these rules to avoid tragedy.
No extra riders unless there's a buddy seat - and never hold a child on your lap. Off-farm child care, while difficult to arrange, remains one of the safest choices. If children are on-site, dress them in blaze orange or high-vis yellow for visibility.
Finally, teach and practice situational awareness. Use this 3-step mental checklist developed by Bartlett Grain Co.:
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What am I doing?
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What could go wrong?
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How can I prevent it?
Answering these simple questions before each task can be the difference between a safe day and a serious injury.
