Farm Safety
Farms are fun places, but they are also places where real work gets done. Some work
involves equipment or farm animals that can be dangerous. Pickup trucks, tractors,
combines, balers, and mowers are powerful machines. It’s really easy to get thrown from a
tractor or riding mower or have clothing caught in machinery augers.
Never ride in the back of a pickup truck or on the fender of a tractor.
Always wear protective equipment like gloves and goggles when using power tools.
Don’t climb in a grain wagon or grain bin. It’s easy to be trapped by flowing grain
and the storage area can fill in seconds and lead to suffocation.
Leave safety shields in place. Walk around moving machinery parts.
Don’t wear loose clothes that could get caught in equipment. People have lost arms,
legs, and even died from being pulled into farm equipment.
One of the greatest things about a farm is the animals. Farm animals like pigs, cows, and
sheep are different than dogs and cats. These animals are often bigger and may not be
friendly to people. All farm animals should be treated with respect. When you move around
them always approach them from the front, be calm, and move slowly to avoid upsetting
them.
A mother with her young will be protective and may attack anyone who comes
close.
Ask someone who knows the animal to approach it with you. The animal will be
less nervous and less likely to become upset.
After you’ve been around farm animals, always be sure to wash your hands with
soap and water. Animals can carry diseases that cause infections in people.
What To Do In An Emergency
Knowing what to do can save someone’s life. If someone gets hurt while using
equipment:
Turn off the equipment right away and call for help. (If you live on a farm- have
someone show you how to turn off the PTO. This knob will stop the auger/machine
that may be involved in the accident.)
Call 911 and be ready to tell them what the problem is and exactly where the
accident happened.
Don’t move the person by yourself, unless he or she is in danger and you won’t get
hurt.