SEPTEMBER 2017
Is your farm ready in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster, work related injury, or infectious disease outbreak? A little time planning up front can help you respond quickly and effectively when needed. Also, be sure to have a training program for new employees, and go over your plan annually. A little time can save a life! Be proactive and review your emergency preparedness plan today.
A little time can save a life! Be proactive and review your emergency preparedness plan today.
SAFETY CHECKLIST
The checklist below lists a few ways you can be prepared in case of a farm emergency:
- Are emergency numbers, including name and address of nearest medical facility are posted where everyone can see them?
- Are the directions to your farm posted by the phone or in a central location?
- Is there at least one person trained in First Aid and CPR? Does this person speak the same language as your workers? Do all employees know who this is?
- Are there designated safe places to go during a flood, tornado, thunderstorm or fire?
- Do all workers have a way to contact other workers in other areas of the farm site if there is an emergency? (charged cell phones, two-way radios)
- Are the fire extinguishers easy to retrieve? Have they been checked recently to ensure they are full and up-to-date?
- Are all exits clear of obstacles and clearly marked?
- Do you have a training program for all new employees?
- Do you go over your training program with all family members and employees yearly?
You and/or your employee(s) can download and print a pdf checklist to complete safety checks on your farm. Keep the completed forms for follow-up, future reference and inspections.
DOWNLOAD PDF CHECKLIST
Disclaimer: The facts and information listed above are suggestions for your safety, but are in no way a comprehensive and exhaustive list of all actions needed to ensure your safety.
RF-DASH
The Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RFDASH) project provides farm safety tools and knowledge to rural firefighters through community colleges, emergency responder training events, and individual training officers. Fire departments, community colleges, and insurance companies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Vermont, and Ohio are currently participating.
September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month will focus on planning, with an overarching theme “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.” For tips and ideas to promote preparedness, including the National Preparedness Month Social Media Toolkit, visit www.ready.gov/september.
