Safety is of the upmost importance when working around farm machinery and equipment. By taking precautions on your farm, you can help prevent accidents and injuries to yourself and other farm employees.

According to Kansas State University’s Machinery Safety PowerPoint, nearly 1/3 of all farm injuries are caused by falls, and an average of 10 working days are lost for each farm accident. By taking safety precautions and by encouraging other staff to do the same, you can save unnecessary injuries from happening and save time in the fields.

source: http://www.compliancesigns.com/media/ZOOM/PKE-18287_600.gif

Here are a few safety tips that you should remember when working on the farm:

1. Always wear properly fitting clothing

By wearing clothing that fits, you can avoid getting clothing caught on a machine which can lead to serious injuries. Also be conscious not to wear torn jeans or hoodies with strings, as these can easily get caught on machines as well.

2. Fatigued operators should not be in the field

A machine operator who is exhausted is more likely to fall asleep at the wheel or cause an unnecessary accident. This can create a dangerous situation, so never operate machinery when fatigued.

3. Ensure all employees are properly trained

People operating heavy machinery need proper training to ensure they are working in a safe manner. This will decrease the chance of accidents occurring.

4. Watch out for weather

It may be easy to think that you can get a little more done in the field before a heavy storm hits, but be sure to plan enough time to get machinery back in the barn and for yourself to take shelter. Trying to beat a storm can be dangerous, so be aware of impending storm and tornado conditions.

When working around self-propelled sprayers, here are some of the most common hazards according to Kansas State University.

1. Misuse of Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment should always be used when dealing with chemicals. For more information on the using Personal Protective Equipment, check out this publication created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) .

2. Platforms and steps cluttered with debris

Clutter and debris that is left on platforms and steps can easily cause falls. Take a few extra minutes and clean these areas on a regular basis to prevent slips.

3. Booms getting caught on posts

One of the more common accidents that occurs with the boom on a sprayer is when the boom runs into something such as a fence post or an electrical or telephone pole. Always be aware of your surroundings to prevent these situations.

4. Improper storage of chemicals

Chemicals should always be locked up when not in use and easily identified. Chemicals should never be left in the cab of the sprayer. To read more about chemical handling, check out our blog post, What to look for on your chemical labels .

Working in a safe environment is important for your well-being, the well-being of all other employees and is important for your farm to keep moving forward. Be safe this spring and happy planting!