The agriculture industry ranks among America’s most dangerous industries. In fact, every day, nearly 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. To ensure your farm and staff are protected year-round from these types of injuries and illnesses, we’ve compiled our top 5 farm safety tips.

1. Be Mindful of the Machinery and Vehicles Being Used

Transportation incidents are the leading cause of death for farmers and farm workers. Specifically, tractor overturns. Many farm vehicles are now equipped with Cost-Effective Rollover Protection Structures (CROPS). This helps decrease the risks for rollover, keeping employees utilizing or frequenting these types of vehicles safe from overturns.

2. Stay Cool and Safe in the Summer Heat

July and August are two of Wisconsin’s hottest months. Working for long periods of time in the summer heat can lead to severe illnesses like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat rash. As an employer, it is your responsibility to provide staff with the necessary resources and procedures needed to keep them safe. Quality ventilation, set-in-place emergency plans, and education on heat-related illnesses are among the few ways you can keep your team safe and prepared.    

3. Have an Emergency Action Plan in Place

Emergencies are never planned, which means preparation is essential for when these situations arise. Once plans and procedures are put in place, it’s important to make sure all employees understand them. Regularly occurring team meetings and trainings are useful ways that employers can educate and test the knowledge of their team’s ability to safely handle emergency situations.

4. Always be Aware of Your Surroundings

Whether you’re operating heavy machinery or carrying out smaller tasks, it’s always important to be completely aware of your surroundings. If you have children in and around the work site, make sure they are old enough to understand any boundaries and rules before leaving them unattended. In fact, 60% of children who encounter agriculture-related injuries aren’t even working at the time.

5. Ensure Employees are Properly Trained and Certified

All who are working on the farm, especially those who are operating vehicles and heavy machinery, should be properly licensed or certified to do so. Handing large projects without the appropriate knowledge and training can put the entire staff at risk for serious injury. With EHS Management, we ensure that your facility is well-equipped with the necessary training, knowledge, and certifications necessary to keep your staff and your farm protected. 

At EHS Management, we offer a variety of agricultural safety and environmental services. For more information on how we can best keep you, your staff, and your farm protected, contact our safety professionals.