gin safety

As ginners, we typically focus our attention on the gin season. We have seasonal labor that may be new or returning. We must train them and get them oriented to working long hours and around equipment they aren’t familiar with. As far as safety is concerned, it helps to assume they don’t know anything and start with fresh training for ... Read More »

As ginning season approaches and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, take a close look at your operation to mitigate the risk to your workers and business as much as possible. Be sure to develop a COVID-19 policy and have a good training program in place before you begin hiring for the season. One of the most frustrating parts about trying to ... Read More »

William Beam, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy administrator for farm programs, notified the National Cotton Council that the Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee 2020 specification recommendations for cotton bale packaging materials are approved for Commodity Credit Corp. loan program purposes. The 2020 specifications are identical to the specifications for the previous year’s crop except for the following revisions: • ... Read More »

When this article is published, ginning season should be in high gear across most of the country. There’s a lot going on to get into the swing of things. I always worry that safety slips through the cracks as everyone works out the kinks of performing as a crew and operating the gin as a machine. One of the easiest ... Read More »

The National Cotton Council annually sends a letter to the Senate and House leaders who oversee agricultural appropriations requesting that funding levels be maintained for the three U.S. ginning laboratories. Just a few years ago, that and other council efforts with these senators and representatives played a significant role in Congress’ approval of federal appropriations increases for all three laboratories ... Read More »

It’s all over the news about how good the job market is. In many places, there are “help wanted” signs everywhere. Labor is tight. In some areas, labor is tighter than others. It’s no great shock that the ginning industry relies on a largely migrant workforce. With a tight labor market, able-bodied people who want to work can find work ... Read More »