Planned maintenance and skilled equipment operation can curb downtime and reduce the potential for accidents during harvest. Preventing accidents is the key to a safe harvest. The Human Factor Safe completion of any task depends on knowledge, alertness and hazard awareness. Fatigue, drowsiness and illness can lead to mishaps in the field. Recognize when you have had enough, and turn the operation over to someone else.
Adverse weather adds to harvesting pressure.
Do not rely on stimulants to keep you going or depressants to calm your nerves. Periodic breaks relieve the monotony of machinery operation. If you are going to eat in the field, at least climb down from the machine and relax for 15 to 20 minutes. Equipment operators should be dressed for comfort and safety. Protective footwear and close-fitting clothes are essentials when working in and around machinery.