Working with silage is one of the most dangerous aspects of farm work. That is why silage safety is so important, even during the Pandemic related restraints of 2020. Given the sheer number of obstacles that the average worker is facing during this difficult time, why add preventable accidents to the mix? That is why Hitchcock Inc is going to take the time today to explain what you can do to keep it safe around silage.
Hitchcock begins by reminding you to always have a buddy for silage work. Working in pairs allows farm workers to remain in communication and stay visible while preparing silage. What matters is next is not overfilling the silage. Never fill higher than what unloading equipment can reach. Proper technique will allow your silage fill to be performed with caution and without obstruction.
When selecting silage equipment, the feedout face should be of utmost concern. Regarding safety, most possible accidents begin when a worker mishandles the feedout. But, what should you keep in mind regarding this? The rules are simple. Never stand too close to the feedout face. If you are on top of a silage pile, stay six feet away from the feedout. Also, when sampling silage, get your sample from the loader bucket.
At Hitchcock, our contributions to silage are direct. You will find a variety of Used Chain Floor Trailers and Truck Boxes. These big silage movers also feature 24” silage extenders to help making filling and transporting silage into a safe endeavor. While we focus on one part of the silage journey at our business, we feel that sharing these tips makes for a safer industry. However, there is one last point that we need to touch upon.
Finally, do not enter the silo for 72 hours or 3 days after filling. It is important to ventilate a silo with the help of another worker. After all, you do not want the possibility of being exposed to toxic gas. How will you know if there is toxic gas in your silo? Well, if you see yellow-orange or brown gas oozing out of the silage, stay clear.
Then there is the matter of carbon dioxide. Colorless and often odorless, many accidents happen when new season silages are opened and strike down an errant worker trying to do the job alone. While a lot of these silage safety tips will be familiar to old farm hands, it pays to keep them fresh in mind. So, take caution and work smart to see the next season.
