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Farm Safety Check: Roadway Safety

Spring and fall are some of the busiest seasons for farm equipment on the road, so gear up for a safe, attentive year on the roads. Rural roads pose special dangers with curves, two-way traffic, slow-moving farm vehicles, wildlife, narrow lanes, and more. Whenever you hit the road with your machinery for field-work, check on your equipment and roadway habits to reduce the risk of a roadway incident. …

Farm Safety Check: Fatigue

Fatigue has serious negative impacts on physical and mental health. Operating machinery when you’re sleep deprived can be as dangerous as operating machinery under the influence. While seasonality is a part of farming, it is important to be aware of the consequences fatigue can have, and what you can do to promote safety and health on your farm. …

Farm Safety Check: Livestock Facilities & Handling Safety

Stressed livestock are more likely to injure themselves, their handlers, and are more difficult to work with. Providing stockmanship training for workers handling livestock is key to preventing injuries. There may also be changes you can make in your buildings, gates, and working areas that will minimize distractions and startling objects. Check in on your buildings and animal safety this month to keep yourself and animals safe! …

Farm Safety Check: Manure Gas

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, and extremely hazardous gas. It is produced by the breakdown of animal wastes or manure. It is heavier than air and can collect in both enclosed pits, open air lagoons and low-lying areas such as, ditches, or manholes. Knowing the risks that can occur with manure gas is important for those farms raising animals and for others who may visit your farm. Take time to protect you, your family and others by incorporating basic principles into your manure management plan and check out additional resources listed below. …

Farm Safety Check: Emergency Preparedness

Is your farm ready in the event of an accident, fire or a force of Mother Nature?  Many times we take for granted being prepared for these unforeseen incidents.  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. …

Farm Safety Check: Agritourism

Allowing people to visit your farm provides a unique opportunity for you to tell the story of your farm, and for the members of the public to learn more about agriculture. Agritourism can also be a great way to increase farm income, but the additional risks and responsibilities must be considered. …

Farm Safety Check: Heat Illness

Farming is a profession where much of the work occurs outside and because of that farm workers can be exposed to extreme temperatures. Summer heat and humidity are vigorous weather conditions farm workers must face. To protect themselves, farm workers should be prepared, educated, and take the proper safety precautions to prevent heat related illnesses. …

Farm Safety Check: ATV

Agricultural workers all over the world rely on ATVs to complete tasks on the farm; however, despite the usefulness of ATVs, serious injuries can result from improper use. If you take proper safety precautions, you can reduce the risk of ATV-related injury or death. …

Farm Safety Check: Electrical Safety

Electrical safety is key to prevent fires, user related accidents, electrocution and potential death. Take a look at possible electrical hazards on your farm by starting with this checklist. Where could electrical hazards be “hiding” on your farm? …

Farm Safety Check: Chemical Storage Area

Safe storage of chemicals on the farm is critical to you, your family, workers, visitors and livestock. Maintaining a proper chemical storage room or building reduces the risk of accidental exposure. Incidents with chemicals can be serious and life threatening, so it is important to review your storage area for possible hazards and correct any issues. …