With great power comes great responsibility, and with great machinery comes great risk. Accidents happen every year out on farms and job sites across the world due to a variety of different causes. Whether it’s caused by a simple mistake or plain bad luck, we want you to be prepared this harvest season. We want you to reduce these risks to keep you, your family and any helping hand safe from harm’s way. At Greenway, we do more than just sell you equipment. 

1. DO maintain your equipment.

Like most of us, you’re probably guilty of saying if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. However this is NOT the mentality to take on with equipment maintenance. It’s extremely important to keep all of your equipment running up to date as outdated machinery is one of the leading causes of farming incidents. Regular maintenance also extends the life of your equipment, allowing you to fix small issues before they turn into bigger, money-eating problems.  

2. DON’T work through fatigue.

This one seems like it could go without saying, but we know how dedicated you are to your job. Whatever your operating hours are, it’s important to get plenty of rest each night so you can be alert throughout the day. At the risk of sounding more like your mom rather than your dealership, we want to make sure you are drinking plenty of water, taking frequent breaks and always having a snack on standby in case your energy drops. 

It’s also essential to check and make sure your prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs aren’t getting in the way of safely operating heavy machinery. Check your bottle and call your doctor if there are any issues. 

3. DO offer proper training to everyone involved.

By making sure you and any other helping hands are properly trained to operate each machine, you already reduce the chances of any accident occurring. But don’t stop there… You also need to train everybody involved on the importance of safety and what to do incase of an emergency.

This also includes emphasizing the importance of safety to any kids or family members nearby. It’s estimated that 33,000 kids suffer farm-related injuries each year; don’t let yours be a part of that number. 

4. DON’T risk machine entanglement

This is one we don’t even want to think about. While hard to imagine, this is unfortunately much more common than many may think. Always be aware of where you are walking, what you are leaning on, and how close you are to pinch points. Don’t wear any loose clothing or loose hairstyles, and be sure to turn off any machine before trying to step over it. 

5. DO communicate.

Let your helping hands or any family members know where you are and when you’ll be there. This can ensure somebody is always able to reach you in case anything goes wrong during operation. Be sure to keep an eye on any kids or family members nearby while you operate.

6. DON’T let noise exposure harm you.

Substantial hearing loss is often seen by farmers, construction workers and other heavy machinery operators. By relocating exceptionally loud equipment (like an air compressor) to a less-used room, using hearing protection, and limiting your time spent in loud areas, you can reduce your chances substantially.

7. DO maintain your land.

Keep your area clean by getting rid of any hanging limbs or large debris that can get in the way of your operation. By doing so beforehand, you can lower any chances of hitting an obstacle and having to halt your operation. 

The most important thing to remember is that it CAN happen to you. Always be aware of your surroundings, and stay alert during operation. At Greenway, we care about you and your staff’s safety. For maintenance or any other safety tipsregarding particular machinery, contact us by phone or email and we will be happy to help.