Need farm help for silage season? Check out these safety tips to train new helpers and keep your harvest accident-free!
Summary: Silage season is around the corner, and many dairy farmers are struggling to find experienced help. Safety is a priority when fieldwork ramps up, especially with new workers. This article will share essential safety tips from the experts at Penn State Extension: proper training, clear communication, manageable tasks, equipment maintenance, managing fatigue, hazard identification, lone worker safety, road safety, preventing falls, and chemical handling to protect everyone on the farm.
- Ensure all new helpers receive proper training to handle equipment safely.
- Maintain clear, open two-way communication with all workers.
- Assign manageable tasks that match the skill level of less experienced helpers.
- Perform routine maintenance on all farm equipment before silage season starts.
- Be vigilant about managing worker fatigue and promoting healthy practices.
- Identify potential hazards and implement risk management strategies.
- Ensure lone workers have ways to communicate and stay safe.
- Implement road safety measures and proper signage for all farm vehicles and equipment.
- Take steps to prevent falls and ensure structural safety on the farm.
- Follow safety protocols for handling chemicals and fire safety measures.
As the silage season approaches, are you feeling the strain of recruiting experienced farm staff? You are not alone. Many farmers face the same problem, and the implications are tremendous. But remember, you play a crucial role in ensuring everyone’s safety. Have you ever considered how you can keep your staff safe and productive during this hectic period? Continue reading to discover out.
Need Farm Help?
| State | Part-Time Farm Labor Shortage (%) | Impact on Operations |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 15% | Delayed harvest schedules |
| Minnesota | 20% | Increased reliance on untrained workers |
| Iowa | 18% | Reduced milking efficiency |
| Illinois | 17% | Higher operational costs |
| Michigan | 22% | Significant yield losses |
Locating skilled farm workers, particularly during the hectic silage season, may be like finding a needle in a haystack. Most farmers are searching for more than labor; they need somebody to operate agricultural equipment safely and effectively. But here’s the nub of the issue: agricultural labor is specialized, and skilled workers are in limited supply.
So, who do farmers turn to in a pinch? Frequently, they depend on a diverse group of community members. Employees already on the payroll are the obvious first option. Then there are retired neighbors who may bring essential expertise but need more stamina than they once had. High school pupils are another possibility. They are motivated and active but need more experience with intricate technology. Farm kids who have grown up witnessing dairy operations may need specific instruction to take on fieldwork responsibilities.
Relying on these diverse groups presents issues. Everyone will need training and supervision to guarantee safety and efficiency during one of the year’s busiest seasons. However, with the appropriate strategy, this ragtag group can be transformed into a dependable workforce, bringing hope and optimism to your farm.
Let’s Talk About Safety
Have you ever considered the overwhelming volume of heavy gear and equipment buzzing about your farm? Imagine someone with little expertise dealing with such complexities coming in to assist. It’s nerve-racking.
| Injury Type | Percentage of Injuries |
|---|---|
| Machinery-related | 34% |
| Animal-related | 22% |
| Slips, Trips, and Falls | 18% |
| Chemical Exposure | 11% |
| Other | 15% |
Here’s why safety is unavoidable: the hazards are natural. Tractor rollovers, mechanical problems, and human mistakes all have the potential to cause serious accidents—or worse. The numbers aren’t excellent, either. Did you know that agricultural accidents are a primary source of workplace injuries? And with inexperienced employees, the risks are significantly more significant.
Consider this: your high school assistant may know about dairy operations, but do they know how to run a forage harvester or a baler safely? Probably not. This is where appropriate training comes into play. It’s more than simply getting the work done; it’s about ensuring everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.
Reviewing safety measures, demonstrating proper equipment use, and creating clear communication channels may have a significant impact. You are not just preventing accidents; you are also making a culture of safety that will pay off in the long term, giving you confidence and security in your operations.
So, before you rush into the fields, pause for a while. Are your assistants prepared? Additional training now may save much misery later. Trust me, it’s worthwhile.
Safety Tip #1: Machinery Maintenance and Pre-Season Preparation
Before the silage season begins, ensuring that all equipment is in good working order is critical. This includes inspecting brakes, tires, trailer couplings, hydraulic pipes, and lights as part of your pre-planned maintenance cycle. Inspect the moving components of mowers, tedders, forage harvesters, and balers for wear or damage. Additionally, any suspect hydraulic lines should be changed, and bearings and belts should be examined ahead of time to avoid malfunctions during crucial operations.
Safety Tip #2: Training and Induction for New Workers
New or occasional farm workers must be adequately taught to operate the equipment and made aware of any risks on the farm. Spending time with temporary or part-time employees is critical to review safety requirements and ensure they grasp the ‘Safe Stop’ principles—applying the handbrake, stopping the engine, and removing the key before exiting the vehicle.
Safety Tip #3: Managing Fatigue and Health
Extended hours of silage harvesting might exhaust you, impairing your concentration and reaction times. To keep awake, pause when you’re tired, eat well, and drink enough water. Regular safety training and fatigue management may significantly decrease dangers.
Safety Tip #4: Hazard Identification and Risk Management
Identifying and analyzing dangers on the farm, in the field, and during silage harvesting is critical. Understanding how to control these risks may help avoid accidents. For example, keeping people away from moving vehicles and following a filling strategy to prevent overfilling silage clamps might increase the danger of a vehicle rollover.
Safety Tip #5: Communication and Lone Worker Safety
Creating a means to remain in touch with lone workers is crucial for their safety. Ensuring that everyone engaged in the operation has constant communication allows any concerns to be addressed as soon as possible.
Safety Tip #6: Road Safety and Signage
When operating agricultural equipment, check that the SMV emblems, flashers, and reflectors are in good condition and fulfill all state and local standards. Remember to post signs and safety bollards along roads where your silage equipment enters and exits fields. This will inform other drivers of the slow-moving equipment.
Safety Tip #7: Preventing Falls and Structural Safety
Falls from heights may be avoided by following suitable methods and equipment. Keeping the silage clamp’s edge clean while (un)sheeting or removing tires and employing a movable working platform or hook will help avoid mishaps. Avalanches and collapses may be avoided by conducting structural evaluations and maintaining safe distances throughout operations.
Safety Tip #8: Handling Chemicals and Fire Safety
Taking additional measures while handling chemicals and ensuring correct storage and use may help reduce exposure to dangerous compounds. Preventing combination fires by cleaning oil, grease, and residue accumulation and keeping fire extinguishers in equipment cabs and easily accessible ground areas are all vital safety precautions.
Safety Tip #9: Protecting Vulnerable Individuals
During the busy silage season, it is critical to keep youngsters, vulnerable individuals, and anyone not engaged in the silage-making process out of the farmyard. This reduces the chance of accidents, resulting in a safer work environment for everybody concerned. Implementing these safety measures will guarantee a safer silage season for everyone, particularly those unfamiliar with farm labor. Prioritizing safety reduces injuries and results in a smoother, more effective harvest.
The Bottom Line
As the silage season approaches, recruiting experienced farm workers might take much work. Following essential safety measures such as appropriate equipment maintenance, training for new employees, fatigue management, and efficient communication may make a difference. Your first objective should be to build your assistants’ abilities and confidence while keeping everyone safe. So, are you making all the essential efforts to prepare your staff for a secure and productive silage season? Remember that no safety precaution is too little, which might be the key to avoiding mishaps and guaranteeing a successful harvest.
Learn more:
- Why 80% of U.S. Dairy Farms Are Struggling: An Insider’s Look at the Unseen Challenges
- Maximizing Corn Silage Quality: Key Decisions for a Productive Dairy Herd
- Get Ready. Get Set. It’s Time for a Better Dairy Winter Feeding Program!
