Harvest season is the busiest time of year for commercial grain elevators. With long hours, heavy traffic, and constant movement of grain, it’s easy for safety to take a back seat but that’s exactly when it matters most. At Safety Made Simple, we know that staying proactive can prevent serious injuries and keep operations running smoothly, even when the pace is relentless. Here are a few safety practices to live by during the heat of harvest:
1. Manage Fatigue Before It Manages You
During harvest, extended shifts and early mornings are the norm. Fatigue isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. Tired employees are more likely to make mistakes, miss hazards, and respond slowly in emergencies. Encourage frequent breaks, rotate responsibilities when possible, and monitor team members for signs of fatigue. Even a short rest can make a significant difference in alertness and reaction time. Here’s a course on preventing worker fatigue if you need a resource:
2. Control Traffic and Equipment Zones
Grain elevators are busy places during harvest: trucks, front-end loaders, and forklifts are constantly on the move. . Establishing clear vehicle work zones and traffic patterns is critical. , Make sure to train employees to communicate before entering these spaces. Consistent traffic control plans prevent struck by and back-over incidents, and close calls. Here’s a course on moving vehicle safety:
3. Maintain Proper Grain Handling Practices
With more grain moving through the facility than at any other time of year, attention to proper grain handling and quality is essential. Follow established procedures for loading and unloading, maintaining grain quality, and ensure that any grain management systems are functioning correctly. Monitoring temperature, moisture, and CO₂ levels can prevent spoilage and reduce the risk of in-bin hazards. If you do need to enter a bin, be sure to adhere to the OSHA grain handling standards for pre-entry and entry. Review the standards here:
4. Emphasize Housekeeping and Dust Control
Dust can accumulate quickly during harvest, creating slip hazards and the potential for fires and dust explosions. Regularly clean floors, platforms, and equipment areas, and inspect for dust buildup in hard to reach areas. Housekeeping isn’t just about appearance—it’s about preventing injuries and reducing the risk of fires or explosions. Here is a course on housekeeping and combustible dust best practices:
5. Keep Communication Lines Open
Clear communication is the backbone of a safe harvest. From radio checks between spotters and equipment operators to daily safety briefings, everyone should know their role and the risks present each day. Ensure that all team members are trained on emergency procedures, know where first aid equipment is located, and understand reporting protocols for near misses or unsafe conditions. Deploying an effective communication only works with active listening! Review this course on effective communication and active listening:
6. Review Emergency Preparedness
Harvest season is unpredictable. Equipment malfunctions, engulfment, and vehicle accidents can happen. Having emergency plans in place—and making sure employees know them—can mean the difference between a minor incident and a serious injury. Conduct quick refreshers on confined space procedures, first aid, and fire response, and confirm that safety equipment is accessible and operational.
7. Train, Retrain, and Reinforce
Even experienced employees benefit from reminders and refreshers. Safety Made Simple offers a range of courses designed for grain elevator teams, from Grain Handling Safety to Housekeeping & Combustible Dust and Equipment Operation. Prioritizing training during the harvest season keeps safety front-of-mind when the operation is busiest.
Focus on safety
Harvest season is challenging, but safety doesn’t have to take a back seat. By managing fatigue, controlling traffic, maintaining grain handling standards, emphasizing housekeeping, fostering communication, and reviewing emergency procedures, your team can work efficiently and safely. Visit our course catalog and our library of resources that help your grain elevator stay safe during the busiest season of the year. Need help, please reach out!