Safety
Harvest Hazards
to Watch
Farm Safety & Health Week Puts Seasonal Risks in Focus
By Christy Caplan
The sun is dropping fast, but there ' s still a field left to cut. The crew has been running since before dawn. The story of harvest season on farms everywhere is long days, tired hands, and the constant pressure of a closing window.
This is exactly why Farm Safety and Health Week from September 21 to 25, 2026, matters. It lands each year right when workloads peak and fatigue sets in, offering a well-timed reminder to slow down and look around.
The good news? Most farm injuries are preventable with a handful of consistent habits.
Machinery Risks
More injuries occur around equipment than anywhere else. Power take-off( PTO) shafts, augers, balers, and pinch points can catch loose clothing or a distracted hand in an instant. One of the most dangerous moments occurs when a worker tries to clear a jam or make a repair without fully shutting down the machine.
Heather Gessner, Interim Agriculture and Natural Resources program director at South Dakota State University Extension, keeps her guidance simple: " PTOs, augers, and moving parts— put the safety shields back on. Do not step over moving parts. Keep fingers and toes away from pinch points."
Rollovers are another serious threat, especially on slopes and uneven ground. Roll-over protective structures( ROPS) save lives, but only when used correctly. " Tractors and equipment that have roll-over protection structures should make sure the ROPS are engaged, and the drivers have their seat belts on, anytime they are in use," Matt Ross, L & I public affairs manager, says.
And keep bystanders( especially children) clear of active equipment. As Gessner points out, kids and new crew members aren ' t always where you expect them. " Teach young kids from their early years to be aware of what is going on around them," Gessner says. " Talk to any new crew and let them know that small children may be around."
Heat Stress
Machines aren ' t the only thing running hot this time of year. Heat stress is often shrugged off until it becomes serious. Watch for cramps, dizziness, heavy sweating, and confusion. Long hours in cabs, bins, and open fields can push a worker past their limit quickly.
This hazard is only growing. " Heat exposure is becoming more and more relevant as weather conditions change," Ross says. " Many crops are being harvested during the hottest parts of the year, and workers need to be able to take breaks and cool down to keep safe. Shade and drinking water are necessary to help keep workers from overheating and risking heat-related illness.”
The fixes are simple: water within reach, shade nearby, regular breaks, and scheduling the toughest work for cooler hours. Keep a closer eye on older workers and anyone on medications that affect heat tolerance.
Grain Handling Dangers
Some of the season ' s deadliest risks hide inside the grain itself. Flowing grain behaves like quicksand and can trap a
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