Safe through the harvest: This is how farmers protect themselves from accidents!

Safe through the harvest: This is how farmers protect themselves from accidents!

Once again, safety in agriculture came into focus. On September 18, 2025, an information evening entitled “Safe through the Harvest” took place at the Pointnerhof in Kronacker, Ebersberg district. The event, organized by the trade association, Maschinenring and the farmers' association, brought together around 50 farmers to discuss the risks and challenges during the harvest season. The speakers, Christian Satzl from the Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture Social Insurance, and Stefan Kreimoser from the Ebersberg Police Station, shared important insights and advice to avoid accidents.

A central theme was the often underestimated dangers that lurk during the peak season for harvesting work. How Mercury According to reports, 4 to 5 people fall from front loader shovels every year in Bavaria and there is a great risk of fatigue, especially if the harvest journeys last late into the night. Stress is not only a personal risk, but also an operational risk that can lead to dangerous situations when dealing with other road users.

Causes of accidents and preventive measures

Did you know that over 13,000 accidents are recorded in agriculture every year, and animal husbandry is the greatest source of danger? This comes from an analysis by AgrarToday out. Many accidents are registered, particularly when dealing with large livestock, especially cattle - in 2021 alone there were seven deaths due to direct animal contact.

The event at Pointnerhof also aimed to promote prevention measures. For example, it was recommended to install rear-view cameras for telehandlers and to replace old, repaired ladders with safe models. Proper entry and exit technique from tractors was demonstrated to avoid unnecessary falls.

Safety is a priority

The results are also alarming RUV, which show that in 2021, 46 work-related accidents had to be reported for every 1,000 full-time employees in the agricultural sector - this is the highest figure among all commercial sectors. Dangerous work in animal husbandry and gardening accounts for a large proportion of accidents. It should be emphasized that careful planning and training are essential to ensure safety in the workplace.

The information evening in Kronacker is an example of the efforts being made to raise awareness of accident prevention in agriculture. It is hoped that such preventative measures will help reduce the number of accidents and increase safety for all farmers.