With harvest under way in some areas already, we at Prairie feel like it is a good time to go over some reminders to both producers, and those sharing the road with them this season. Whether its road safety, or work safety, we want to make sure that everyone gets home safe and sound at the end of each long day.
Share The Road
Producers will be moving large machinery down the road this season, and often when they do, there is more than one piece of equipment moving on the road at once. Whether it is a combine, swather, or grain cart be sure to give them lots of room on the road to maneuver, and to give yourself adequate time to determine how large the fleet is that you are approaching. Also take time to watch for the clearance and signal lights on these items to ensure that they aren’t signalling for a turn while you try to pass.
Operate Safely
Farmers, please take the time to ensure your clearance and marker lights are working on equipment, and that you are able to us turn signals to help aid traffic in maneuvering around your fleet while it moves down the road. Having pilot vehicles working with you on the farm on narrow roads is typically a good plan as it helps to prevent traffic confusion and congestion
Train Employees
Ensure that your harvest help understands how to operate machinery in a safe manner. With stricter guidelines coming into play surrounding workplace safety, the last thing you want to be liable for is an accident due to under trained operators. Collisions on the road are often quite serious when it involves heavy equipment, so ensure you have done your due diligence with communicating safe operating procedures with your employees
Watch For Stones
Chances are good that you have your combines insured, and that you are aware of your basic deductible for your machine. However, please remember that ingestion claims carry a higher deductible than other types of claims. The deductible can be up to 25% of the loss, so be sure to watch for stones and be on the look out!
Buy Loss Of Use Coverage
This policy coverage provides you with additional funding to rent another piece of machinery in the event that your own item is damaged by an insured peril. If you are unsure if you carry loss of use, or if you question what limit you have on your policy, please contact us with these questions.
Don’t Over Do It
I grew up on a grain farm, and I know the long hours that go with harvest. I also know that time is of the essence when it comes to protecting time and grade with getting your crop in the bin. Long hours are necessary, but be sure that you are not over doing it and running yourself too short of sleep. A lack of proper sleep and rest can cause you to make sloppy errors and mistakes which can cause damage to equipment, or injuries. Be sure to know when to take a break so that you avoid costly mistakes to yourself, your property, or your employees.
From all of us at Prairie Insurance, we wish you a happy and bountiful harvest. We support our farmers and know that agriculture is the heartbeat of the prairies. Stay safe, and may the weather be hot and dry throughout this season!