sandy's blog

Farm Safety Involves Everyone

Hearing Safety

Farmers experience one of the highest rates of hearing loss. Loss of hearing for farmers is caused in part by the many potential sources of loud noises on the farm: tractors, combines, grinders, choppers, conveyors, grain dryers, chain saws, shotguns, etc. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can cause permanent hearing losses, unless noise control measures are taken.

The effects of noise can be broken into three areas:

1). Physiological effects: noise induced hearing loss or aural pain, nausea, and reduced muscular control.

When it’s harvest time, the pressure is on! Good weather and daylight hours always seem to be at a premium when trying to harvest a great crop in top condition. Planned maintenance and skilled equipment operation can minimize downtime and reduce potential for mishaps during harvest.

The most severe farm accidents often involve machinery. Missing guards and shields, failure to recognize hazards, and careless operation are common factors in a majority of farm equipment related injuries.

Fire! Probably no word generates more fear.

That’s especially true in forage fields, where a spark can quickly wipe out a crop, as well as any equipment that may be in he field. Field fires cause more the $30 million in equipment losses each year, not counting crop losses resulting from downtime and personal injury.