By Scout Nelson
As harvest season approaches, the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association are calling on farmers, rural communities, and motorists to make safety a top priority. The reminder comes during National Farm Safety and Health Week, which runs from September 21-27 under the theme “Safety First, Avoid the Worst.”
Agriculture remains central to Nebraska’s economy, with one in four jobs tied to the industry. However, farming also ranks among the most hazardous occupations in the United States.
Long hours, fatigue, heavy machinery, and unpredictable conditions can all raise the risk of accidents in fields and rural areas.
Farm safety leaders emphasize the importance of taking proactive steps. Simple actions, like slowing down around farm machinery on rural roads, keeping equipment in good working order, and teaching youth about safe habits, can save lives.
Several key safety reminders are being shared this season:
- Equipment and Roadway Safety: Keep machinery maintained, approach equipment from the front, and motorists should slow down near farm vehicles.
- Health and Wellness: Take breaks, rest to fight fatigue, and seek support for mental health needs during stressful harvest days.
- Generational Safety: Teach children early about farm dangers, assign age-appropriate tasks, and supervise them around equipment.
- Grain Bin Safety: Never enter bins with running equipment, always use a lifeline, and keep children away from storage areas.
- ATV/UTV Safety: Wear helmets and seatbelts, limit passengers, and use off-road vehicles only where designed.
Nebraska Corn also reminds drivers about the state’s updated move-over law, which now includes farm vehicles and equipment. Motorists must slow down and move over for stopped or vulnerable vehicles.
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety