By Andi Anderson
Farm safety is critical, especially during the forage harvest season when urgency rises. A fatal accident in Michigan during summer 2023 showed how skipping steps can cost a life.
The incident involved a 23-year-old farm worker who was found entangled in a running baler. He had been working alone, racing to beat incoming rain.
The baler’s power take-off (PTO) was still engaged, and the tractor was left running. When found, emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.
The investigation by Michigan State University’s Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (MIFACE) listed contributing factors:
- The worker left the tractor seat without turning off the PTO.
- Time pressure led to rushed decisions.
- A past habit of unclogging without powering down increased the risk.
- The machinery lacked safety controls for safe unplugging.
- Alcohol was present on the tractor, though not found to be a factor.
Tractors and balers are powerful tools that must be treated with caution. At an intake speed of 3–4 feet per second, a worker’s reflexes are no match for active machinery. That’s why safety guidelines must be followed: always disengage the PTO and shut off the engine before servicing or clearing equipment.
Training is vital. Operators should understand the risks and receive proper hazard control education. Alcohol use during equipment operation should never be tolerated.
Farm accidents carry deep costs—emotional, physical, and financial. The effects ripple through families, communities, and the entire agricultural industry. Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, second only to mining.
Safety on the farm is not optional. Every worker deserves to return home safely. Slow down, stay alert, and never skip a safety step—no task is worth a life.
Think safe. Work safe. Come home safe.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety