Prevention

One of the best ways to stay safe while on the farm is to take the necessary precautionary measures involved in whatever work you’re doing. Ways of preventing accidents vary from task to task and even farm to farm, but there are some general subjects that can apply to all farmers when working. Prevention is a critically important part of safety because if dangerous situations can be stopped before they happen, safety can be better assured.

Communication

One of the best ways to prevent an unfortunate accident while on the farm is to keep clear communication. Make sure everyone who is on the farm is made aware of potential risks and what they should and should not be doing, keeping people informed will allow them to ensure their own personal safety and contribute to keeping a safe environment. Another key aspect for communication is to frequently give updates to those around you when working on the farm. If every person is aware of each other’s locations and/or what they are doing, assistance can be provided quickly if needed and in case of emergency.

Personal Protective Equipment

Wearing the proper clothing/gear is a very important part of preventative action when dealing with farm safety. Farmers deal with harmful and dangerous chemicals daily, including pesticides and fungicides and harmful gases such as the methane produced in hog barns, so it is important to wear the proper gear when being exposed to such chemicals. Respirator masks, disposable gloves, coveralls, and even goggles can all be used to protect yourself. On top of avoiding chemical expose, generally, all farmers should be wearing clothes that aren’t loose and tying long hair as to not get caught on any of the moving equipment. It is also recommended that in hotter seasons headcovers such as baseball caps or sun hats are worn to avoid overexposure to sunrays.

Emergency Readiness

Sometimes emergencies are unavoidable or unforeseeable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for them and make sure a given situation is not made worse. Every farm should have predetermined procedures in the event of an emergency and everyone working on the farm should be taught these procedures. Things such as emergency phone number lists should be given to every person, so they are able to quickly call for help in the event of emergency. Items like fire extinguishers and first aid kits should be placed commonly around different facilities and on equipment, and every person should be made aware of where these items are. Taking steps like this will increase the safety of a farm and help to deescalate unfortunate situations should they arise.