The aim of this paper is to identify a critical link in the man-machine-environment system in the case of an adverse event, such as a hay baling fire, based on a comprehensive risk assessment method. The rate of spread of fires in agriculture depends on meteorological conditions, with large areas affected and potentially endangering the surrounding buildings, facilities. Access to fires is difficult and can extend to forests. Water is often lacking at the scene of a fire, which should be extinguished, and water sources are usually located over long distances. The paper addressed a specific example using a comprehensive method. The process of risk assessment in the work process was determined by the following steps: assessment of the overall risk of the work equipment, assessment of environmental impact, assessment of the person's ability to manage risk, calculation of the resulting risk value, comparison of calculated risk value and acceptability of risk value, proposal of measures. The result of the analysis was the finding that the primary cause of the fire is the environment, i.e. high ambient temperature. The critical element in hay baling work system is the work environment. The risk ratio was estimated at 5.78. The level of risk was low due to the rapid intervention of the human factor. Based on the results, the technical measures mentioned in the paper were proposed to the operator. The paper found that maintenance of the machine is important for protection against agricultural fires, where the human factor plays an important role in the man-machine-environment system.