Farm safety considerations for fall

Farm harvest is a busy time of year for farmers and their staff. While there are many tasks that need to be accomplished, it is important to mitigate risks and ensure everyone is safe and protected while working on the farm.

Be cautious when moving equipment: Because this is a hectic time of year for farmers in the fields, there are some important considerations to keep in mind while using farming equipment. It is important to watch out for certain hazards such as overhead power lines or rocks and gopher holes in the field, which can be especially important to look out for when using equipment with a GPS. If you are moving equipment on roadways make sure to have it marked as a wide load and watch for other motorists, allowing them to pass when it is safe to do so.

Safeguard your property: Take steps to ensure that your property and all of your hard work is safe and protected. Ensure that farm buildings and bins are in well-lit areas to deter thieves. Also remember to lock up all equipment when it isn’t in use.

Protect your assets: Another important step that farmers can take during harvest time is to get grain coverage for theft and fire. It is important to protect your hard work against thieves and potential environmental threats like fire. Check with your broker to ensure that you have the proper coverage on harvested crops.

By Shirley Parchoma

Shirley has been with Western since 2003. In 2004, she became the branch manager at the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan office. During her time as Branch Manager, she saw the office grow from one location to two and from five employees to over 25 team members.