| LIVESTOCK HANDLING |
| Farm workers, ranchers, family members, and visitors are injured every year by livestock. Many of these injuries occur to workers who handle livestock. |
| Preventive Measures |
- Label livestock-handling areas to warn visitors to stay away.
- Design livestock pens and handling facilities using recommended plans.
- Facilities should be designed to allow workers easy access for working with and handling the animals.
- Use restraining equipment properly.
- Equip pens with emergency exits.
- Animal behavior is unpredictable. Be sure you understand some of their common instincts:
- They have strong territorial instinct.
- Changes in lighting or shadows can excite or spook them. Separation from other animals can also cause unpredictable behavior.
- Sudden or loud noises can frighten animals.
- Some types of livestock, such as beef, swine, and dairy cattle, are color- blind and have poor depth perception, which causes them to be sensitive to contrasts.
- Cattle and horses can see everything around them, except directly behind their hindquarters.
- Keep children and bystanders out of livestock-handling areas.
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| Inspection Checklist |
| The following areas should be inspected regularly: |
- Gates, fences, or pens in good repair?
- Aisles have no sharp projections?
- Useable restraining equipment?
- Escape gate or path from pens?
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| CHILD SAFETY ON THE FARM |
| Thousands of children are injured and hundreds are killed every year by hazards found on the farm. Some of these children work on the farm, while others wander into trouble on their own or are invited into hazardous areas. Implement injury prevention strategies today to protect children. |
| Preventive Measures |
- Design a safe play area that is fenced on your farm. This area should be near the house and away from work activities. Do not allow children to roam freely on the farm.
- Inspect your farm on a regular basis for hazards that can injure someone, especially a child, wandering on your farm. Correct obvious hazards at once.
- Children who are physically able to become involved in farm work should be assigned age-appropriate tasks. These tasks should be preceded by training and continual reinforcement of training. Supervision should be maintained at all times.
- Equip all barns, farm shop, chemical storage, livestock pens, etc, with latches that can be locked or secured so children may not enter at any time.
- Always turn off equipment, lower hydraulics, and remove keys before leaving machinery unattended.
- Do not expose children to hazards. Never carry children on tractors and equipment, or invite them into the farm shop, livestock barns, grain bins, etc.
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| Inspection Checklist |
| The following areas should be inspected regularly: |
- Designated "safe play area"?
- Equipment guards in place?
- Hazardous work areas locked?
- Farm ponds and pits fenced?
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| ATV SAFETY |
| ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) have become popular for work and recreation on many farms and ranches. Along with their popularity has been a reported increase in some areas of serious injuries and deaths. Most of these can be attributed to improper use and handling of the ATV. Make ATV safety a priority on your farm or ranch. |
| Preventive Measures |
- Only those of age 12 and over should operate ATVs with a model-size engine of 70cc to 90cc.
- Only those of age 16 and over should operate ATVs with a model-size engine of greater than 90cc.
- An ATV is not a toy. Children should not be permitted to operate ATVs without specialized training. After training, they should be allowed to operate only the ATV of an appropriate size. Contact the ATV Safety Institute to enroll in the Rider Course at 800-887-2887.
- Wear appropriate riding gear: DOT-, Snell- or ANSI-approved helmet, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve shirt, and long pants.
- Read your owner's manual carefully.
- ATVs are not made for extra riders. Never carry anyone else on the ATV.
- Any added attachments affect the stability, operation, and braking of the ATV. Just because an attachment is available doesn't mean that it can be used without increasing your risk of injury.
- Do not operate the ATV on streets, highways, or paved roads.
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| Inspection Checklist |
| The following areas should be inspected regularly: |
- Tires and wheels in good condition?
- Control and cable operation?
- Chain proper slack and lubricated?
- Riding gear available?
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| ANHYDROUS AMMONIA SAFETY |
| Anhydrous ammonia is an important source of nitrogen fertilizer for crops. Improper handling of anhydrous ammonia can have catastrophic results on both plants and farm workers. Common injuries to people are severe burns to eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract. |
| Preventive Measures |
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should always be worn. Standard PPE should be non-vented goggles, rubber gloves with thermal lining, face shield, or an approved respirator. Wear a long-sleeve shirt or coveralls. A lightweight rubber suit is preferred.
- Keep anhydrous ammonia tanks out of direct sunlight so the pressure relief valve does not have to vent.
- Make sure anhydrous ammonia tanks are not filled above the recommended capacity.
- Use care when handling the hose-end valve so that it does not open accidentally. Do not move hose by handling valve handle.
- Be sure to bleed hose coupling before disconnecting.
- Use care when cleaning plugged knives. Anhydrous ammonia could be built up behind the plug.
- Use emergency water supply for at least 15 minutes if exposed to anhydrous ammonia. Seek emergency medical attention.
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| Inspection Checklist |
| The following areas should be inspected regularly: |
- Hoses in good condition?
- Fittings clean from rust?
- Low-pressure tubes have no leaks?
- Knives not plugged?
- Tank secure with locking hitch pin?
- Pressure relief valve works?
- Tank has five gallons of fresh water?
- PPE available?
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| TRACTOR SAFETY |
| Farm tractors provide the primary source of power on many farms. Studies show that the farm tractor is involved in a high proportion of farm fatalities and severe injuries. Follow safe management principles and implement a tractor safety program on your farm. |
| Preventive Measures |
- Develop a "safety first" attitude. Follow safe work practices all the time and set a good example for others.
- Be physically and mentally fit before operating tractors. Fatigue, stress, medication, alcohol, drugs, or worrying can distract you from focusing on safe operation. Take breaks.
- Read operator's manual and warning decals. Pay attention to safety information.
- Equip tractor with a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS), and wear seat belts.
- Inspect tractor for hazards; correct all hazards before operating.
- Make sure everyone who operates a tractor has received training and is physically able to operate it safely.
- Shut down and wait for moving parts to stop before approaching equipment.
- Keep bystanders away from tractor operation area. Do not allow "extra riders."
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| Inspection Checklist |
| The following areas should be inspected regularly: |
- ROPS and seat belts in place?
- PTO master shield in place?
- Operator's platform clear of debris?
- Reflective SMV emblem?
- Lights & flashers operational?
- Tires properly inflated?
- Hydraulics free from leaks?
- Brakes can be locked together?
- 20 lb. ABC fire extinguisher?
- First aid kit on tractor?
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| FARM SAFETY TIPS |
| Make farm safety your top priority. |
- Don't allow extra riders on farm equipment.
- Prohibit children from playing on idle equipment.
- Know location of children prior to operating machinery.
- Disengage PTO when not in use.
- Keep manufacturer's guards and shields in place.
- Equip farm tractors and self-propelled machinery with Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS).
- Display slow-moving vehicle signs on farm equipment.
- Install barriers for manure pits, wells, cisterns, and ponds.
- Store chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides in secure areas. Follow manufacturer's handling directions carefully.
- Take necessary steps to prevent suffocation or entrapment inside grain bins.
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| Safety doesn't just happen. It's up to YOU! |
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