Farm Safety

Farm Equipment Safety

10 Rules of Tractor Safety Know your tractor, its implements and how they work. Keep your tractor in good condition. Use ROPS and seat belt whenever applicable. Most tractor fatalities are caused by overturns.

Be familiar with your terrain and drive safely. Never start an engine in a closed building. Always keep your PTO shielded.

Keep your hitches low and always on the drawbar. Never jump off a moving tractor or leave it with the engine running. Never refuel while the engine is running or hot.

Keep all children away from the tractor and its implements at all times. Never be in a hurry about anything to do with your tractor. Take your time and do it right.

Wear shoes and boots with slip- resistant soles and heels. Keep platforms, foot-plates and steps clear of mud, snow, manure or other debris. Before moving, check the tractor and trailing equipment to see that no one has climbed aboard without your knowledge.

Remove tools or other items that may cause a tripping hazard from the operator platform. Don't use working farm equipment as a place to baby-sit children. Arrange for proper childcare.

Never allow anyone to ride on the drawbar or towed machinery. Insist that no one ride on farm equipment except those required for its operation, instruction, or diagnostics. Reduce speed on rough, uneven or hilly ground. Watch for obstacles.

Wait for the tractor to stop before getting off. Set brakes and step down using handholds or rails. No one should jump off a moving tractor. Whenever possible, equip tractors with a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) cab. They are more comfortable, give overhead protection, and prevent falls from tractors.

Farm Chemical Safety Look for symbols to assure safe usage. Use gloves, goggles, and face mask! Don’t take chances!

Crop Protection Chemical Safety Always read packaging labels. All crop protection chemicals include information on the proper use of the chemical; its proper handling, safe storage and first aid information.

Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the crop protection chemicals that you use. MSDS contain additional health hazard data, spill or leak procedures and handling information. Be sure to keep a set separate from the storage area.

Have on hand and wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) required by the label. These can include: chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls, boots, hat and apron, approved respirator with cartridges for pesticides, and chemical protection goggles and face shield.

Keep crop protection chemicals in storage areas that can be locked to keep bystanders and children out. Be sure to label the storage area as containing pesticides. Launder chemical- soiled clothing separately from other laundry and triple rinse.

Always read packaging labels. All crop protection chemicals include information on the proper use of the chemical; its proper handling, safe storage and first aid information.

Inspection Are all chemicals properly labeled? Are all chemicals in locked storage area? Is correct PPE available and used? Are MSDS maintained on all chemicals? Is application equipment operating properly? Is the mixing/loading area on concrete? Information supplied by the National Safety Council's Agricultural Division.

Electrical Hazards Apply decals to all equipment. Inspect farm equipment for transport height.

Review the possibility of underground utility supplies for new or replacement power lines. Determine risks for potential electrical shock and restrict access to that area. If you have a standby power system, review its location, operation,and importance with all workers.

Cattle manure may contain germs that can make people, especially young children, very sick. To best protect yourself from getting sick, wash your hands with soap and running water after visiting a farm and after having contact with farm animals.

Tetanus Everyone needs a shot every 7-10 years.

Farm animals can pass diseases to people. Therefore, you should: thoroughly wash your hands with hot running water and soap after contact with fences, animals, buckets, and straw bedding.

Children need to: 1.Be careful around animals. (Biting, kicking, stepping, etc.) 2.Be supervised in the farm setting. 3.Wash after contact with any animal.

Start with a plan. Have a route planned for fire vehicles in case of fire. Where can you board your animals?

Absolutely no smoking in barns, sheds, and outdoor buildings. Make sure that all visitors know this rule.

Practice good housekeeping in the barn! Keep things clean and neat. Sweep up loose hay and chaff.

Provide adequate ventilation. Chemical reactions happen in baled damp hay in a tightly filled hay mow. Make sure flammable chemicals are stored properly.

Practice electrical safety. Make sure wires are enclosed in pipes. Do not use frayed cords. Do not overload circuits.

Lightning Rods Install and maintain lightning rods and grounding cables.

Keep yard areas free of debris. Clean up all areas around the outside of the barn where fires could start. Keep area mowed.

Refuel equipment safely. Refuel far from buildings. Make sure motors are cool and engines turned off.

Fire Extinguishers Install and maintain fire extinguishers all over your barn. Make sure that you know how to use them.

Make sure everyone follows safety rules. Hired help Visitors Make sure they know where fire extinguishers and first aid kits are.

Be neighborly! Share phone numbers and addresses with neighbors. Help each other. Their phone call could save your barn or house.

In Review What have you learned: 1.About tractor safety? 2.Chemical safety? 3.Electrical safety? 4.Animal disease safety? 5.Fire safety?

Bibliography Farm Safety Assoc. Utah State University Farm Extension National Safety Council Agricultural Division agcenter.ucdavis.edu/AgDoc/Ten_Commandments_of_Tractor_Safety.pdf -