S-51
Safety Makes Sense: in corn harvesting
by F. R. Willsey, Extension Safety Specialist, Agricultural Engineering Department
Corn can be harvested safely! Unsafe methods are not worth the risk involved.
Why Study Corn Harvest Safety?
Through the years, corn harvesting has been a most hazardous operation.
Many are not fully aware of the problem, even though they have operated pickers for years. How about you?
Even the most safety conscious operators need to be reminded of the dangers associated with corn harvest.
Who Should be Informed?
Farm operators who specifically work with the harvest equipment.
Wives and families of harvest equipment operators.
Youth who now or will soon work with machinery.
Rural organizations who conduct community service programs. Their help is greatly needed.
Face the Facts
In Indiana about 200 farmers each year were injured in corn harvest accidents in the period just before 1960. About one hundred of these actually bought artificial hands and hooks. At least 100 others received crippling injuries but did not buy artificial equipment . . . and EVERY injured person thought he was being safe enough to get by. Don’t let it happen to you!
It appears that there are fewer corn harvest accidents now than 10-15 years ago, although accurate records are almost impossible to obtain. The following situations have probably contributed to safer corn harvests.
a)	Many of the smaller pickers were proven unsatisfactory for heavy corn and have been replaced by larger equipment which is less apt to clog.
b)	Consolidation of farms has made larger equipment more practical for many farm operators.
c)	The increased use of corn combines has resulted in fewer clogging problems than occurs with conventional pickers.
d)	Surely today’s farmer is more aware of the hazards associated with corn harvesting. The safety programs of many rural organizations have contributed greatly to this education. THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
A big picker or new-type harvesting equipment does not guarantee your safety. Furthermore, many corn harvest accidents do not involve pickers or combines.
Husking rolls are involved in most Indiana corn picker accidents. This is also the case in Iowa over a 15 year period. Indiana records show snapping rolls in second place with stalk ejectors third. The reverse was true in Iowa but the count was close in both states. Chains, elevators and miscellaneous parts of the picker are involved in about one-fourth of the accidents directly associated with pickers.
Belts, pulleys, gears and chains are being involved in an increasing number of corn harvest accidents. Many of these parts and some rollers can be reached from the seat. The Iowa report stated that in 1962, 63 percent of the accidents with mounted pickers occurred while the operator was on the seat.
The corn picker and corn combine are not involved in all of the corn harvesting accidents. Tractors, elevators, augers, silage choppers, and wagons account for one-third or more of the total accidents associated with corn harvest. Iowa records indicate that much less progress
Cooperative Extension Service, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, Lafayette, Indiana