Harvesting a high-yielding, high-quality malt barley crop is a rewarding experience for growers. From variety selection to seeding, weed control and disease protection, a successful crop is usually the product of a well-executed cropping plan.

An effective safety plan that keeps everyone healthy and secure during busy harvest days makes a strong crop even more satisfying, says Syngenta Health, Safety and Environment Manager Julie Anceriz. Harvest season is a stressful time for growers; long hours in the combine, travelling roads with equipment and busy farmyards are just some of the hazards that can quickly turn harvest triumphs into tragedies. 

To keep safe this harvest, Anceriz offers a safety tips checklist that growers can use to help ensure the health and safety of everyone who works and lives on the farm. The top items on her checklist include managing fatigue, maintaining equipment to ensure safe operation, transporting equipment safely and safeguarding children.

Take micro-breaks

When it comes to fatigue, long hours in the combine can really wear growers down, Anceriz says. “You’re in a rush to get the crop off, but you need to take breaks. Operator fatigue can lead to accidents, especially if you’re not thinking clearly or feeling groggy.”

To stay sharp, Anceriz recommends micro-breaks every hour. “That doesn’t mean you stop the combine and stay sitting in your seat. Get out of the cab and stretch your legs; maybe do another small task. You only need a couple of minutes, but it gets the blood flowing and refreshes your mind and your body.”

Fires are a harvest hazard, especially when combining a crop in hot, dry weather. Anceriz reminds growers to ensure combines are well maintained, have all relevant safety features, and are cleaned daily before heading into the crop. Using compressed air to blow out chaff and removing entangled crop are always good practices.

Also pay close attention to fire extinguishers. Ensure there’s one in every piece of harvesting equipment and check that they are in good working order. Anceriz notes that it’s important to keep an eye on extinguisher gauges —if the gauge is green it indicates the unit is properly charged; if it’s red the extinguisher is expired and won’t work effectively if you need it in a fire situation.

Transporting equipment on roads during harvest can also pose hazards. Equipment must have slow-moving vehicle signs and all lights and signals should be operational. It’s important to follow best practices when transporting combines and larger equipment on roadways. One tip is to use a “pilot” vehicle when entering a roadway with a combine to help oncoming traffic recognize and acknowledge the size and slower speed of the machine.

Rural roads tend to be narrow and don’t usually accommodate large equipment. It can be stressful to have a line-up of angry drivers behind you, but if it’s not safe to give way – for example, due to a soft shoulder – stay the course. Drive at a speed that allows you to remain in full control and wait for a suitable shoulder to pull to the side. 

Keep track of children

It’s always critical to keep track of children when heavy equipment is moving in and out of the farmyard. The need for vigilance is heightened during harvest when traffic increases significantly, especially around grain bins. Anceriz says all farm families need to establish safe zones on the farm and ensure children are aware of these locations and understand the importance of staying and playing in these areas. 

It’s also vital growers educate kids about the dangers and hazards associated with large farm equipment. For older children, be sure to identify which farm and harvest tasks may be appropriate based on their age and skill level.

Overall, Anceriz reminds growers to think about both their physical and mental health during harvest.
Stay hydrated, eat nutritious food, get as much rest as possible and be sure to take those micro-breaks. 

Long hours and difficult harvest conditions can also create a high-stress environment. “That’s why it’s important to have a strong community that you can network with,” Anceriz stresses. “You really need to maintain those connections. Pencil in a conversation with a family member or connect with a member of your community groups. A half hour every day just to check in with somebody does wonders for your mental health.”

Quick harvest safety tips

•    Take proactive steps to prevent machinery entanglements. Wear fitted clothing, keep hair tied back and walk around machinery rather than through it or over a driveline.
•    Never enter grain bins when loading or unloading grain. Moving grain can quickly suffocate you.
•    Nighttime visibility is important. Encourage people coming to the harvest site or storage area to carry a light to ensure they are visible to combine and machinery operators.
•    After a long day on the combine avoid hopping off facing outwards — you could take a misstep leading to a fall or serious injury. Always dismount a combine facing in so you can get a good grasp of the handrails. 

​​​​​​​Find even more harvest safety tips here: syngenta.ca/safeharvest.