Learn how to protect workers in high-risk environments

The harvest season is one of the busiest—and most hazardous—times of year for farms and grain-handling facilities. Long hours, heavy machinery, and high-pressure timelines create a perfect storm for accidents. To reduce the risk of injury and loss, it’s essential to put employee safety at the center of every operation.

Recognize the risks

Common harvest-season hazards include:
  • Falls from ladders, platforms or equipment
  • Entanglements in augers and lack of guards on moving machinery or parts
  • Crushing injuries from trucks, railcars or equipment
  • Grain bin entrapment and engulfment
  • Fires and explosions from grain dust accumulation

Fatigue, inexperience, and complacency can make these risks even more dangerous. That’s why a proactive, people-first safety culture is critical.

Building a culture of safety

Creating a safe workplace requires more than occasional reminders. It demands daily commitment, clear communication, and accountability at every level.

  • Conduct weekly safety meetings and daily briefings during peak times
  • Perform regular safety walk-throughs to identify and correct hazards
  • Enforce safety rules consistently and fairly
  • Reward safe behavior to reinforce positive habits

Safety best practices

To ensure a safe and productive harvest season, farms and grain-handling facilities must adopt proactive safety measures that protect every worker.

1. Equipment safety

  • Inspect and repair ladders, platforms, handrails, and steps to prevent falls
  • Ensure midrails and toe boards are installed on all elevated platforms
  • Follow all manufacturer maintenance guidelines
  • Confirm all machine guards are in place and functional
  • Remove or repair protruding objects that could cause injury
  • Clearly mark confined spaces like grain bins with warning signage

2. Grounds maintenance

  • Keep walkways and work areas clear of debris, weeds and obstructions
  • Ensure propane lines are buried and protected
  • Inspect electrical systems for damage and proper shielding

3. Employee safety

  • Provide comprehensive training on equipment operation and site-specific hazards
  • Educate workers on grain bin dangers and share resources with young workers and their guardians
  • Conduct morning safety huddles to review tasks and reinforce safety messages
  • Emphasize housekeeping to reduce dust and prevent slips
  • Require strict adherence to lockout/tagout procedures
  • Enforce confined space entry protocols and require proper permits
  • Discuss roadway safety with drivers and encourage reporting of unsafe behavior
  • Talk openly about fatigue, its symptoms and how to manage it

Every STEP Counts worker safety program

Nationwide’s worker safety program, Every STEP Counts, provides a structured approach to building a strong safety culture. From hiring and training to incident response and post-event actions, our worker safety program helps you take a comprehensive approach to building and maintaining a safe workplace.

References
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