Robert Johnston, on left, city manager of Frederick, Okla., presented Case IH and GPTC with a citation from the state of Oklahoma for their continuous commitment to wheat harvest workers’ safety. Also pictured (left to right) are Dan Renaud, Case IH combine product specialist, Jim Smith, GPTC’s agricultural & machine repair instructor, Gary Tyler, GPTC’s campus superintendent and Dave North, manager, Case IH ProHarvest.
Every spring, just before wheat harvest begins along the border of southern Oklahoma and Northern Texas, Case IH partners with Great Plains Technology Center (GPTC) in Frederick, Okla., to host the Case IH ProHarvest Kickoff, a half-day safety training program for custom harvest workers. This spring marks the 20th consecutive year of the training.
On May 22, 2012, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and State Representative Don Armes honored Case IH and GPTC with a citation from the state of Oklahoma for their continuous commitment to wheat harvest workers’ safety.
The presentation coincided with this year’s safety training program. Hundreds of custom cutter crew members were attendance, along with more than two dozen Case IH employees to answer questions. The half-day training starts out with breakfast provided by the Frederick FFA Chapter that Case IH has partnered with for many years.
Kelly Kravig, Case IH combine product specialist, discusses combine safety with ProHarvest Kickoff participants. Most participants are on their first harvest run.
Typically, 70 percent to 80 percent of ProHarvest Kickoff participants are on their first harvest run, and many are young, between 18 and 23 years old. The event reviews combine safety procedures with videos and photos to remind participants that they are not invincible, no matter how young or strong they are. Case IH is proud to be the only major agricultural equipment manufacturer to offer this type of training, which also involves combine operation and productivity training.
Because safety is so important, no matter what color your combine, all wheat harvest workers are invited to attend the training. Combine safety is the ultimate goal.
It’s a great honor for Case IH to be recognized by Oklahoma’s elected officials for our efforts to keep custom harvesters safe.
What do you do around your farm to ensure safety?
