Accidents more likely during harvest season

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - After a long summer drought, harvest season is finally here.

While it's the combination of more than a year of planning, hard work and patience, it can also be a dangerous time for those who work in the fields.

"I know it's going to get pretty hectic here. But it's that time of the year that we need to pay close attention to a little extended safety in the thought process," farm accident instructor at Purdue Steve Wettschurack said.

Wettschurack said farm related accidents don't just happen in the fields, but also happen on the roads.

"Fifteen to 18 miles per hour is probably the operational speed for tractors and combines," Wettschurack said. "When you come up to those on either a two-lane road or a four-lane road and you're running 65, you get into traffic that you can't get over and then we have accidents."

"We don't really realize that's food for us and the animals that eventually turn into beef or pork. There just needs to be increased respect for farmers," Agriculture analyst Pamela O'Conner said.

Dozens of people every year die in farm-related accidents, but experts said those accidents can be prevented if a few extra safety precautions are in place.

"Make sure all the parts are off and stopped moving before you exit that piece of equipment or you approach that piece of equipment," Wettschurack said. "It could be as little as tripping over a piece of corn in the field and then you trip and lose your balance and there goes an arm or a leg."

But Wettschurack said that can all be prevented if you just take the time to play it safe.