• ATVs have become popular for work and recreation on many farms and ranches. Unfortunately, reported cases of serious injury and death have increased along with their increased use. Most of these injuries and deaths can be attributed to improper use of ATVs. Make ATV safety a priority on your farm or ranch. An ATV is not a toy. Children should not be permitted to operate ATVs without specialized training and then they should be allowed to only operate an ATV of an appropriate size. Contact the ATV Safety Institute to enroll in a course.
• ATVs with an engine size of 70cc to 90cc should be operated by people at least 12 years of age.
• ATVs with an engine size of greater than 90cc should only be operated by people at least 16 years of age.
• Wear appropriate riding gear: DOT-, Snell ANSI-approved helmet, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve shirt and long pants.
• Read owner’s manuals carefully.
• ATVs are not made for multiple riders. Never carry anyone else on the ATV.
• Any added attachments effect the stability, operating and braking of the ATV.
• Just because an attachment is available doesn’t mean that it can be used without increasing your risk of being injured.
• Do not operate the ATV on streets, highways or paved roads.

Inspection

• Are tires and wheels in good condition?
• Are controls and cable operational?
• Does the chain have proper slack and is it lubricated?
• Is riding gear (including a helmet) available and worn?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

Anhydrous ammonia is an important source of nitrogen fertilizer for crops. The improper handling of anhydrous ammonia can have catastrophic results on both plants and farm workers. Common injuries are severe burns to eyes, skin and the respiratory tract.

• 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 lightweight rubber suit, or (at the very least) a long sleeve shirt and coveralls.
  Make sure anhydrous ammonia tanks are not filled beyond 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 as anhydrous ammonia could be built-up behind the plug.
• Use emergency water supply for at least 15 minutes if exposed to anhydrous ammonia and then seek emergency medical attention.

Inspection

• Are hoses in good condition?
• Are fittings clean and free from rust?
• Do low-pressure tubes have any leaks?
• Are knives plugged?
• Is the tank secure with a locking hitch pin?
• Is the pressure relief valve operating correctly?
• Does the tank have five gallons of fresh water?
• Is PPE available and being worn?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

Thousands of children are injured and hundreds are killed every year by hazards found on the farm. Some of these children are working on the farm while others wander into trouble on their own or are invited into hazardous areas. Implement injury prevention strategies today to protect agriculture’s greatest resource, our children.

• Do not allow children to roam freely on the farm. Design a fenced “safe play area.” This area should be near the house and away from work activities
• Inspect your farm on a regular basis for hazards that can injure children wandering on your farm. Correct obvious hazards immediately.
• Children who are physically able to be involved in farm work should be assigned age-appropriate tasks and continually trained to perform them. They should also be constantly supervised.
• Equip all barns, farm shops, chemical storage areas, livestock pens, etc. with latches that can be locked or secured so that children cannot enter
• Always turn equipment off, lower hydraulics and remove the key before leaving equipment unattended.
• Do not expose children to hazards. Never carry them on tractors and equipment or invite them into the farm shop, livestock barns, grain bins, etc.

Inspection

• Is there a designated “safe play area?”
• Are equipment guards in place?
• Are hazardous work areas locked?
• Are farm ponds and pits fenced?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for
Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

Service and maintenance tasks can often lead to serious injury. The farm shop and the field are the primary locations where repair operations are completed. Make sure your farm shop is part of a farm safety solution, not a problem.

• Organize your workshop so that everything has a designated place. Make sure items are secure so they will not fall on anyone.
• Clean walkways to reduce trips and falls.
• When working on agricultural equipment, make sure that the equipment is turned off, all rotating parts have stopped moving, and safety locks are put in place.
• Keep all guards and shields in place on power equipment.
• Use hand tools only for their intended purpose.
• Equip your shop with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to help prevent electrical shock.
• Make sure your shop is well lit. If the shop is heated, ensure it is properly vented and that flammable liquids are kept out of the shop area.
  Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing repair jobs. Standard PPE for a farm shop should include leather gloves, chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, face shields, earplugs or muffs, steel-toed boots, respirators, hard hats, protective aprons and welding shields.

Inspection

• Are electrical cords undamaged?
• Is an appropriate fire extinguisher present and operable?
• Is a fully supplied first aid kit available?
• Are guards and shields in place?
• Are walkways clear of debris?
• Are chemicals stored in a locked cabinet?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

Farm workers, ranchers, family members and visitors are injured every year by livestock. Many of these injuries occur when handling livestock.• Label livestock handling areas to warn away visitors.

• Design livestock pens and handling facilities using recommended plans.
• All facilities should be designed to allow workers easy access to and exit from animals.
• Make sure to consistently and properly use restraining equipment.
• Equip pens with emergency exits.
• Keep children and bystanders out of livestock handling areas.
• Animals can be unpredictable.

Be sure you understand some of the common instincts of animals.

• A strong territorial instinct is common.
• Changes in lighting or shadows can excite or spook them.
• Separation from other animals can cause unpredictable behavior.
• Sudden or loud noises can frighten animals.
• Some types of livestock, such as beef cattle, swine and dairy cattle, are colorblind and have poor depth perception. This causes them to be sensitive to contrasts in light, movement, and noises.
• Cattle and horses can see everything around them except directly behind their hindquarters.

Inspection

• Are gates, fences or pens in good repair?
• Do aisles have any sharp projections?
• Is restraining equipment useable?
• Is an escape gate or path available?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

A confined-space hazard that often claims multiple lives before anyone realizes there is a danger is manure gas. Manure pits can be oxygen-deficient, toxic and explosive. There are four gases in manure pits that are of primary concern.

Hydrogen Sulfide is a highly toxic gas that is heavier than air. It can cause dizziness, unconsciousness and death. At low concentrations it may smell like rotten eggs, but at higher concentrations it deadens the sense of smell so that no odor can be detected.

Carbon Dioxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is heavier than air. It displaces the oxygen supply in the bloodstream, which can cause unconsciousness and death.

Ammonia is a gas that is lighter than air. It has a pungent smell and can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Ammonia also displaces oxygen in the bloodstream.

Methane is also a gas that is lighter than air. The primary hazard of methane gas is that it can create an explosive atmosphere. This gas also displaces oxygen.

• Never enter a manure pit alone.
• Label the manure pit and manure storage areas to warn of the gas hazards.
• Obtain and use monitoring equipment to determine the level of gases present in the manure storage area.
• A self-contained breathing apparatus must be worn when entering a manure storage area and the person wearing it should be trained in its use. A safety harness should also be worn and personnel should be available outside the storage area to monitor the entrant’s progress.

Inspection

• Do fences/metal-grill covers restrict pit access?
• Are manure gas warning labels near pit?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

Harvesting equipment is a necessity on farms to gather the crops for a bountiful harvest. Harvest time is primary revenue time on many farms and is also one of the peak periods for farm injuries and deaths. Many of these injuries can be prevented through effective farm safety management.

• 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 equipment. Fatigue, stress and worry can distract you from safely operating equipment. Take frequent breaks.
• Pay attention to all safety information. Read operator’s manual and warning decals.
• Inspect the equipment and correct any hazards before operating.
• Identify hazardous areas on equipment and make sure you stay away from moving parts. Beware of pinch points, shear points, wrap points, pull-in areas, thrown objects, crush points, stored energy hazards and freewheeling parts.
• Make sure everyone who operates the equipment has the appropriate training and is physically able to operate it safely.
• Shut down equipment, turn off the engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to stop before dismounting equipment.
• Keep bystanders and others away from equipment operation area. Do not allow “extra riders”, especially children.

Inspection

Are PTO shields in place?

Are guards and shields in place?

Are safety locks operational?

Are there any leaks in hydraulics?

Is reflective “Slow Moving Vehicle” signage in place?

Are lights working properly?

Is a 20 lb. “ABC” fire extinguisher in place?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

During late spring and summer many people like to spend time outside in the sun for fun or work. But overexposure to the sun can damage the skin and could cause skin cancer. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash are possible when your become overexerted in the heat. Put your health first in order to enjoy the summer.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep your head and face cool. This will also provide added protection from damaging sun exposure. Baseball caps provide little protection except to the face. A hat should protect the neck, face and ears.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt at all times. It should be light colored and loose fitting except when working around machinery.
• Carry a source of water with you. Take drinks frequently—every 15 minutes.
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or in a cool environment during the hottest times of the day. • Adjust gradually to working in the heat over a period of 10-20 days.
• Someone suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke should be moved to a cool environment, offered sips of water, if conscious, and provided with attention from emergency medical personnel.
• Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15. Make sure children are also adequately protected.

Inspection

• Is fresh water available?
• Is sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on hand?
• Is protective clothing available and being worn?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.

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. To avoid them, follow safe management principles and implement a tractor safety program on your farm.• Develop a “safety first” attitude. Follow safe work practices all the time and set a good example for others.

• Be physically and mentally fit when operating tractors. Fatigue, stress, medication, alcohol and drugs can detract from safe tractor operation. Take breaks.
• Read operator’s manual and warning decals. Pay attention to safety information.
• Equip the tractor with a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) and wear seat belts.
• Inspect the tractor for any hazards and correct them before operating.
• Make sure everyone who operates a tractor has received training and is physically able to operate it safely.
• Shut down equipment, turn off engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to stop before dismounting equipment.
• Keep bystanders and others away from tractor operation area. Do not allow “extra riders,” especially children.

Inspection

• Are ROPS in place and seat belts used?
• Is a PTO master shield in place?
• Is the operator’s platform clear of debris?
• Is a reflective “Slow Moving Vehicle” emblem posted?
• Are lights and flashers operational?
• Are tires properly inflated?
• Is the hydraulics free from leaks?
• Are Brakes can be locked together?
• Is a 20 lb. “ABC” fire extinguisher in place?
• Is a fully equipped first aid kit on the tractor?

Information supplied by the National Safety Council’s Agricultural Division, the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) – www.necasag.org or 888-844-6322.