A Perry County man survived a combine rollover late last fall.

He was working into the evening on a steep hill on his 220-acre farm when the combine tipped over.

According to an article in the Perry County Times, the bin on top of the combine was getting full, but the farmer wanted to keep working. The machine rolled over, and the farmer was trapped under the combine. Only his waist and feet were visible, with his upper half concealed under the cab.

Fortunately, the farmer wasn't working alone. His nephew summoned help, and he was airlifted to Hershey Medical Center. He suffered eight broken ribs, a torn sternum, and head and arm lacerations.

This example serves as a reminder to review fall harvest safety tips. Here are three safety areas to think about this fall.

Be safe when storing and handling large volumes of grain. Flowing grain can trap and suffocate you in seconds. Here are some tips to keep in mind:• Install safety signage on grain bins to warn of entrapment hazards.• Lock entrances to grain handling areas to keep bystanders and children out.• Install ladders inside bins to make them safe for inspections.• Don't enter grain bins that are being loaded or unloaded.• If it's necessary to enter a bin, shut off and lock out electrical power before entering.• If you must enter a grain bin, use a safety harness and safety line. Always have a second person standing by in case of trouble.• Never attempt to walk on crusted grain. It might have cavities beneath the surface that can collapse, leading to entrapment and suffocation.

Grain auger systems are typically integrated into farm machinery, such as combines or feed mixers. An auger also can be an independent component used to transfer grain to a bin or wagon. Entanglement in an auger often results in traumatic injuries. Here are some recommendations for auger safety:• Always perform a preoperation safety inspection, checking fastener tightness, belts, chains, oil levels, the winch cable, etc.• Make repairs and adjustments before starting up the auger.• Never allow inexperienced workers to operate an auger without direct supervision from an experienced operator.• Before starting an auger, be sure all original equipment guards are in place and in good condition.• Before service or repair, shut power off, then "lock" and "tag" the auger's power source. Lockout prevents restoration of power while maintenance is in progress. Tagging out the switch indicates that power is disabled and the reason why.• Never wear loose clothing, jewelry or have long hair untied while operating a grain auger.• Never step or jump on or over an auger while it's in operation.• Always observe the presence and location of power lines before raising or moving an auger into position.• Ensure good footing is maintained while working around augers.• Place portable augers on dry, level ground, or a gravel pad. Remove spilled grain between loads, and be sure the equipment is turned off each time.• Never use your hands or feet to redirect the flow of grain or other material into the auger.• Observe all entanglement hazard warning labels and signs.Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) EmblemA slow-moving vehicle emblem is a unique identifying marker that indicates a vehicle is traveling 25 mph or less. The SMV emblem is a yellow-orange fluorescent triangle that provides day and night identification of slow-moving vehicles. Studies show slow-moving vehicles are often involved in rear-end collisions. Here are some tips regarding the SMV emblem:• Place the emblem on the rear of the vehicle, as near the center of mass as possible. It should be 2 to 6 feet above the ground.• Use an SMV emblem only on vehicles that travel 25 mph or less on public roads and highways. Most implements of husbandry and animal-drawn vehicles would fall into this category.• Use the SMV emblem in addition to any other marking lights or lighting devices required by law.• Other drivers should be able to see the emblem from at least 1,000 feet during the day and at night. The fluorescent yellow-orange center is the most visible color in daylight. And the red reflective border is highly visible in headlight beams after dark.• Replace a worn SMV emblem with a newer one as soon as it begins to fade.• Cover the SMV if your tractor will be traveling more than 25 mph. Some newer tractors are capable of a higher speed.Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.