By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – The narrow window for farmers to get their crops out of the fields is open in Illinois and state officials are reminding operators to slow down or risk injuries.
The Illinois Department of Labor knows farmers are going to be in high gear to get their crops harvested this fall.
When farmers are rushed, the department said that’s when accidents happen. While they’re not the most common accident, tractor rollovers are the most deadly, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
“Tractor rollovers actually create the most fatalities of anything on the farms,” department spokesman Michael Matulis said. “They should make sure that their tractors have rollover protection and, most importantly, that rollover protection is not going to work unless they are strapped in with a safety belt as well.”
Another common accident is collisions when farm implements are turning left on a roadway.
“The rollovers and left-hand turns by farm vehicles on roadways seem to be the top two safety issues,” said Dave Newcomb, ag rescue program manager with the Illinois Fire Service Institute. The department is reminding motorists to beware of farm implements traveling on roads as well.
The department’s final recommendation to farmers: If you’re not going to take a day off, take a break once in a while and stay hydrated.
Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected].
