Farm safety: Tips for a safer year-round operation

“As farmers, we’re not just responsible for ourselves. We have hired help, children, family and community members counting on us to keep them safe, too,” says Myron Stine, Stine^® Seed Company president. “Sharing farm safety and wellness tips with the people in your network matters just as much as the harvest itself.”

This year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week is themed “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow.” Each day is appropriately themed to acknowledge and recognize the different hazards on the farm, from farm equipment and rural roadway safety to cancer prevention. Here are some of the harvest and health safety reminders we stress on the Stine Seed Farm, aligned with this year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week theme and day recognitions.  

Equipment and rural roadway safety

Checking equipment before you hit the field matters for many reasons, including making sure harvest runs smoothly and efficiently. It also gives you confidence that your machinery is safe for you and everyone around you. The same goes for rural roadway safety. Farmers, community members, visitors and every driver on the road should stay alert during the busy harvest season. A few tips include:

• Review equipment safety standards. Make sure everyone understands equipment safety standards and each worker’s responsibilities. Train employees and family members on proper operation and safe equipment use before work begins.
• Check equipment. Walk around to check equipment before you even turn it on. Check the condition of your tires and for any loose parts. Also check hitch pins and that all lights and moving-vehicle emblems are visible and in working condition, especially if you plan to work before sunrise and after dark.
• Choose safe clothing when operating equipment. Avoid wearing loose clothing around augers. Anything from drawstrings on pants to untucked shirts or jewelry can get caught in moving parts. Also remember to wear protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and steel-toed boots when operating equipment to reduce farm injuries.
• Remember ATV safety, too. ATV accidents are a serious concern. As these vehicles become more common on farms, remind operators to follow weight limits, use caution on rough or uneven terrain, avoid busy roadways and stay on approved ATV paths.
• Rural roadway safety. Use your hazard lights and ensure equipment is folded into its transport position and locked in place before hitting rural roadways. Sharing the road is important, but being a cautious operator is imperative.

Health and wellness

Farm safety starts with keeping yourself healthy year-round and especially before operating any heavy farming equipment. Remember to:

• Stay hydrated. Heat stress is real, and hydration is an important step when you’re spending long days in the field. Drink water — stay hydrated!
• Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Basic repetitive tasks can be harmful to your back and body. Make sure you’re taking the right ergonomic steps before lifting or climbing on and off equipment.
• Keep first aid kits on hand. Keep a fully stocked first aid kit in the truck, tractor cab and in any barns or facilities on-site. You can request kits through the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) website.
• Know when it’s time to get help. If feeling suicidal or depressed, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline right away. In an emergency, call 911.

Generations of farming

Farm safety shouldn’t only apply to those frequently operating the equipment. Newer operators, farm hands and younger workers, like children and grandchildren, need to be in the know when it comes to equipment safety. Here are some tips to keep you, your hired help and your family safe on the farm for generations to come.

• Safety training. Hold regular safety training sessions for hired help and family members. Training is most effective when it is documented and repeated each season — not treated as a one-time onboarding task.
• Prioritize youth safety. Even if they don’t assist in day-to-day activities, farm safety for children is equally important. Ensure all are adequately trained and understand emergency procedures in the event of an accident or injury on the farm.

Confined spaces

Grain bin deaths are more common than you think, so it’s imperative those in or around bins and other confined spaces abide by the industry rules of the road, including:

• Employing the buddy system. Never enter a grain bin, silo, pit or other confined space without a second person. Be in constant contact with the other person throughout, including indicating when someone plans to enter and exit the space.
• Use a safety harness. Wear a full-body harness attached to a lifeline anytime you enter a bin. Together, they help keep you from getting trapped and engulfed in grain. 

Cancer prevention

Just as important as our health and wellness tips above, farmers need to pay close attention to this one. Being exposed to the outdoor elements and chemicals each day can be harmful to your existing and long-term health if you don’t follow instructions. Remember to:

• Thoroughly read all safety information. Read safety data sheets, wear proper personal protective equipment and store chemicals locked away from people and animals, as advised by all safety sheets.
• Cover up and schedule regular exams. Avoid prolonged sun exposure by wearing long-sleeved clothes and sunscreen. Schedule routine screenings for skin cancer.

Safe habits practiced today are what keep an operation running tomorrow. For more information and tips about farm health and safety, visit the NECAS National Farm Safety and Health Week page. They also have training resources that you can use to help spread the word with your hired help, family and community about keeping safe in and around the farm.