FS Construction Services safe harvest

Five Simple Tips for a Safe Harvest

Large grain bins capable of storing thousands of bushels of crop and grain dryers that are able to quickly dry such huge amounts are a necessary part of agriculture. Unsurprisingly, proper safety and care taken in and around these structures and equipment is a must for any successful harvest season.

How to Have a Safe Harvest

It’s hard to believe, but we are quickly moving through harvest season. For many of our clients and many in our community this means weeks of high stress, little sleep, and hard work. At FS Construction Services we know a thing or two about working under these conditions. In the interest of keeping you safe and productive during this busy season, here are some harvest-time suggestions and safety tips for your grain bins, dryers, and other equipment.

  1. Never enter a grain bin without de-energizing (turning off) and disconnecting, locking out and tagging, or blocking off all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment that presents a danger, particularly grain-moving equipment (OSHA). Grain is not a stable surface, and when it’s moving, pockets can develop that will cause grain to act like quicksand.
  2. Do not enter a grain bin without alerting others. Make sure the person inside the bin always has someone keeping tabs on them, as well as a safety harness or boatswains chair should they need assistance.
  3. Be sure to regularly clean surfaces, filters, and other areas where excessive dust may accumulate. Grain dust is very flammable and the more dust you have, the higher the chances for an unwanted fire.
  4. Be careful not to overfill bin with grain. Not only does this prevent ventilation, but it can put unnecessary stress on your structure.
  5. Plan regular inspections. Make sure chains and bearings are properly lubricated, ladders are secure, safety shields are present, etc.

Finally, be sure to get as much rest as you can during this busy season. When you’re out in the field, be sure to pack protein and calorie-rich food to keep your energy up and combat the tiredness such a hectic time of year often brings.

We wish you a safe and successful harvest! As always, if you have any equipment questions throughout harvest let Gateway FS Construction Services know. With more than 40 years of grain system expertise, from grain drying to grain storage to grain handling and transfer, we are always happy to help. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you today. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Garage Door Safety FS Construction Services Red Bud IL

Knowing Your Garage Door Parts Can Keep You Safe

Here at FS Construction Services we always like to say that a garage door is one of those things you don’t notice until it stops working the way it should, and then it becomes something you can’t ignore. Because of this, it can also be easy to forget that garage doors are very heavy and can actually be dangerous if they are not maintained properly.

Garage Door Safety Tips

Our partners over at Raynor Garage Doors have put together a useful list of things to keep in mind with your garage door and its specific parts.

  • Section Joints are the joints between garage door sections. Think of this part of the garage door like the gap between the door and the wall when you open any standard door. It may fit your fingers when it’s open, but it certainly won’t when it’s closed. When manually opening a garage door, be sure to keep your fingers away from these section joints.
  • Corner Brackets are the brackets that are attached to the bottom corners of your garage door. The cables responsible for raising and lowering the garage door are attached to these brackets. Because of this, these brackets are under tension, and should only be removed by a professional.
  • Extension and Torsion Springs balance the garage door and provide lifting power. These springs should only be serviced by a trained technician.
  • Photoelectric Eyes and Sensing Edges are the sensors that send an invisible beam across the space of your garage door. If this beam is obstructed, by a car, a foot, etc., the garage door will stop closing. Making sure these sensors are functioning properly is necessary when it comes to keeping your stuff and you and your family safe.
  • Lift Handles and Pull Ropes allow you to manually open your door in the event of a power outage or a malfunctioning door. Make sure any ropes can’t accidentally hook onto anything when opening normally. Additionally, when opening or closing a garage door manually, be sure to keep fingers, toes, and other body parts clear of the door.

If you are in need of a new garage door or in need of garage door services, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services farm safety power lines

5 Tips for Staying Safe Around Power Lines this Harvest

While this year has certainly been a year unlike any other, the realities of the ebb and flow of time haven’t changed a bit. After spring came summer, after summer came fall, and harvest, as it always does, has arrived. While many of us have had to take a number of extra precautions in our everyday lives this year, the high level of caution needed during harvest has remained the same. And while there are many safety tips and practices to bear in mind, we here at FS Construction Services wanted to take a little time to talk specifically about staying safe around power lines.

Stay Safe this Fall Around Power Lines

There’s no way around it, as a farmer, at some point in time you’ll be working around electrical equipment. Often, you’ll be working around electrical equipment in large, tall machines. We have compiled some information from Safe Electricity to have on hand as a reminder this year.

  1. Know when you’ll be working areas near power lines. Have a plan to keep everyone safe.
  2. Use a spotter to help keep you at least 10 ft. away from power lines in all directions.
  3. Be careful when raising augers. Use a spotter if necessary. When not in use, lower equipment extensions as low as they can go.
  4. This may be obvious, but never attempt to move a power line, even if it’s in your way.
  5. If any equipment you are on comes in contact with a power line, don’t leave the equipment. Call professionals to come and safely de-energize the line. If the equipment is on fire, jump as far away from the line as you can, with both feet together, to keep a current from flowing through your body.

There is, of course, much more that could be said, but hopefully none of this information is new to you and is simply a reminder. We wish you a safe and successful harvest this year. If you have any questions about grain systems, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.