Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist
Silage harvest is underway. Cutters and choppers in the fields, trucks racing from the field to the pile or bunker, multiple tractors pushing and packing silage. The speed of silage operations today is impressive, but we should never allow speed to compromise safety. In the infamous words of Dr. Keith Bolsen “Every silage accident could have been prevented.” Now is the time to remind everyone, not just those directly involved with silage harvest on our operations about safety. Below are a few things to consider during this year’s silage harvest.
- Don’t become complacent. Stay aware of the surroundings. There are numerous highly repetitive operations in putting up silage and in agriculture in general. One of the number one factors that leads up to an accident is almost always complacency or a lack of situational awareness. Equipment operators should avoid distractions and should be allowed to take routine breaks to reduce operator fatigue.
- Truck drivers should always slow down when approaching houses and intersections, every time. Those houses along the road belong to our neighbors and friends, some of which have children. The increased traffic on gravel roads creates dust, and the crops are tall, both of which reduce visibility at intersections. Our neighbors should not fear going to their mail box due to our silage trucks.
- People (especially children) should never be allowed near a drive over pile or bunker silo during filling. If people have to approach the area, get on the radio inform the drivers/operators. Those on the ground in the area should always wear bright colored orange safety vests or clothing and should always make direct eye contact with equipment operators before approaching the area.
- Never inspect or make repairs to equipment near the bunker or pile. Equipment should be removed from the area as soon as possible. Repairs almost always involve people on foot and people who may not be familiar with silage activities and the associated risks.
- Never fill higher than the top of the bunker wall. This happens more than it should and creates a dangerous situation from the day the silage is packed until it is removed. The pack tractor cannot see the edge of the bunker well if at all. The silage does not get packed well (which leads to poor silage) and the edge of the silage is unstable and more likely to collapse. Don’t do it!
- Be aware of steep slopes, to reduce the risk of tractor roll-over a minimum slope of 1 in 3 on the sides and end of piles should be maintained.
For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.