Prioritize safety during harvest

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

• Falls from ladders (PDF), 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 (PDF) 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 (PDF)
• 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

• GDAILY. (n.d.). Prioritizing safety during harvest season, https://www.agdaily.com/crops/prioritizing-safety-harvest-season/
• Farm Progress. (n.d.). How to make it a safe harvest season, https://www.farmprogress.com/harvest/how-to-make-it-a-safe-harvest-season