Harvest is one of the most dangerous stretches of the year for Ontario farmers

With harvest 2026 underway comes a swath of fresh reminders of just how dangerous a profession farming is.

Aug. 10 to 16 is BeGrainSafe Week, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s (CASA) annual campaign to remind farmers, families and first responders to prioritize safety when working around grain.

Most farmers have heard stories of producers who’ve become trapped in grain — stories that, even when they do have happy endings — raise the hair on the back of one’s neck. Many have seen pictures of burnt-out combines sitting amidst the blackened remains of a cereal crop.

Then there’s the more insidious dangers — the long days and short nights that weigh down the eyelids, impair judgement and exacerbate tensions between farm family members.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled professional advice and insight from Farmtario. Articles focus on:

• Grain bin safety
• Combine fire prevention
• Fatigue, mental and mental health at harvest
• Road and railway safety

Grain bin safety

Don’t be complacent around grain storage hazards. There is a plethora of hazards associated with storing and moving grain. Robert Gobeil, agricultural health and safety specialist for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, detailed overarching dangers and how to prevent them. Posted October 2021.

Five tips for grain safety this harvest. Farmer Darrell Newman found himself on the wrong end of an unsecured ladder while checking a hopper bin for grain heating. Newman and Catherine Rylatt, founder of the Grain Handling Safety Coalition, remind farmers of the importance of maintenance, checking in, and relying on good safety procedures — because rescue and ‘gimmicks’ could be too little too late. Posted October 2025.

Reducing grain-handling and storage hazards starts with bin preparation, safety plan. Keeping stored grain in good condition can reduce the risk of grain engulfment accidents. OMAFA specialist James Dyck shares tips for bin maintenance to keep grain in good condition. Posted June 2023.

Prepare grain bins before setting out for harvest. Cleaning bins and storage sites before harvest can help find repairs and help avoid contamination of a future crop. Cleaning under full aeration floors is a lot of work, but the gathering of fines over a season can be a risk. Posted August 2019.

Combine fire prevention

How to reduce fire risk when in the field. Regular maintenance, including removing panels and cleaning, understanding harvest conditions and the risk that causes and installing technology to blow away dust can help reduce harvest fire risk. Posted August 2019.

Chariot Command puts cameras in combines to stop fires. A Canadian company knows that there are certain hot spots on combines where fires start, mostly bearings. Chariot Command is installing cameras to monitor for fire risk. Posted June 2025.

Fatigue, mental and relational health at harvest

Don’t let health and safety take a backseat during harvest. Hiring adequate help and having emergency response protocols are key elements of a safety plan. Posted July 2022. Rob Gobeil of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association says being proactive about maintenance and planning mean fewer surprises during harvest. Posted July 2022.

Harvest safety: Maintenance is key for people and machines. Machinery maintenance is a high priority around harvest, but taking care of farmer and operator health is also importanto to being safe. Know your personal limits. Posted October 2025.

Road safety

Lighting critical to farm vehicle road safety. Keep in mind lighting when considering being safe on the road in a tractor hauling an implement. There are differences between road lights and the very bright lights used in the field, says OMAFA’s Ian McDonald. Posted June 2026.

The post Harvest is one of the most dangerous stretches of the year for Ontario farmers appeared first on Farmtario.

• Source: https://farmtario.com/crops/harvest-is-one-of-the-most-dangerous-stretches-of-the-year-for-ontario-farmers/