Avoid harvest-related fatigue

With harvest in full swing this time of year, farmers need to be aware of the risks associated with worker fatigue.
“Too many farmers push themselves, especially during the really busy times,” says Kenda Lubeck, farm safety awareness coordinator for Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “Too often, it’s a case of, ‘I’m going to finish that field tonight no matter what.’ Health and safety is a worker’s most valuable asset – nothing should come before.”

Many times, fatigue creeps up on a person which makes it difficult to recognize. In addition to feeling sleepy and tired, some common symptoms of fatigue include:

• Headaches, dizziness, blurry vision.
• Slow reflexes and reactions, poor concentration.
• Feeling irritable, moody and short tempered.
• Aching, weak muscles.

“We often see safety as being all about equipment and guards,” says Lubeck, “but the most important safety tool a person can have is their attitude and subsequent decisions. It could mean taking a 20 minute snooze when you are exhausted, or having another person lined up to spell you off.”
Lubeck offers the following suggestions to ward off fatigue:

• Get adequate sleep. Park your worries at the bedroom door and get a good night’s rest on a regular basis.
• Eat nourishing food to keep your mind and body sharp.
• Stay hydrated with plenty of water.
• Incorporate some healthy activity in your day’s work. Many times fall work equals long hours, operating the same equipment. If you find yourself in the cab of a tractor for hours on end, be sure to stop periodically and go for a walk to stretch out your muscles.
• Plan for physical and mental demands. It may mean adding workers to your team to alleviate the demands of harvest work. Keep a promise to yourself that you will take a well-deserved break after a set amount of time and not make critical decisions while you are weary.

“Although the human factor is a significant cause of farm-related hazards, your safety is about the choices you make,” adds Lubeck. “It just takes a moment to make a decision that could literally be the difference between life and death.”