Many hazards are present in the farm. If the farmers are not aware of these hazards these may cause injury to their body or may cause diseases and even death. Farmers should always apply appropriate safety measures while working on the farm.
Agricultural injuries can have a variety of different causes. It is important to explore all of your legal options after a farm accident to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve.
Here are the top 7 most common farming accidents that result in injury or death:
- Overturning tractors and heavy machinery.
- Falls.
- Toxic chemical exposure to pesticides. …
- Suffocation.
- Heat stress.
- Limbs crushed in agricultural machinery.
- Animal-related injuries.
10 FARM EQUIPMENT SAFETY TIPS
Keep these tips in mind to avoid accidents when operating equipment and machinery on your farm.
1. Read the Safety Manual or Instructions
When purchasing new farm tools and equipment, you should receive a manual or some sort of instruction on how to use your new product. If you’re a seasoned farmer, it may be tempting to toss the manual and rely on your instincts or knowledge instead. However, when using a new farming product, we recommend always saving the manual.
If you’re not familiar with the product you purchased, we recommend taking some time to get to know the instructions and comply closely with the recommended guidelines. Doing so will help ensure the safety of you and other farmers and will also help protect the new equipment you just purchased.
This is especially important for larger machinery, such as tractors. If used incorrectly, these types of equipment can be very dangerous, so it’s important you take caution and learn how to properly operate them.
In addition to the instruction manual, there are a few other safety tips to consider. First, make sure you never turn your tractor or other large equipment on in a closed, unventilated area. You should also be sure to let the engine cool down before refueling and don’t ever let more than one passenger ride on the tractor at one time.
2. Take Care With Chemicals
As a farmer, you probably use many different chemicals and pesticides. To keep yourself and those around you safe, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re working with.
There are many courses available to help teach farmers about different types of chemicals available and how to use them. It’s important to keep in mind that chemicals can make their way into your body through your eyes, nose, mouth, and skin, so it’s critical to be mindful and always wear proper protective equipment when you know you’ll be working with them.
3. Always Dress Appropriately
If you’re just going out to do something quickly, it can be really tempting to avoid throwing on all your heavy duty clothing or equipment. However, it is recommended that you always dress properly for the job, as failing to do so can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
Even so much as an untied shoelace or loose hairs can lead to a catastrophic accident, so be sure you’re taking the proper precautions and dressing for the occasion when using any type of farming tools or equipment.
4. Ensure You’re Well-Rested
Farming can be exhausting work. That’s why it’s important to cut yourself a break and take time to relax if you feel like you need it. Operating machinery when you’re too tired can be dangerous. Always ensure you’re well-rested and that you’re taking breaks when necessary. It will keep you safe and save you time in the long-run.
5. Avoid Alcohol Consumption
Enjoy sitting down for some libations after a long day of farming? We certainly can’t blame you. However, we want to make it clear that you should absolutely avoid operating heavy machinery or other farming tools if you’ve had anything to drink.
Even one drink can affect your ability to properly operate tools and equipment, so be sure to save the drinks until you know you’re completely done for the day.
6. Maintain Awareness
If you’ve been farming for years, it can be easy to switch to autopilot and daydream while you work. When you’re operating heavy machinery and working with sharp tools, we recommend making an effort to avoid this.
It’s important that you’re always aware of your surroundings and what you’re doing, as this can save you time and keep yourself and those around you safe.
7. Adjust Equipment Accordingly
Having equipment that properly fits the operational conditions is critical to your safety and the success of your work. This means adjusting the machinery you’re using to fit your specifications. If the seat needs to be moved, mirrors need to be adjusted, or shields need to be secured, make sure you’re doing so before you begin operating each piece of equipment.
8. Protect Kids and Animals
If you have children or animals on your farm, you need to keep an extra watchful eye on operations. To avoid any disastrous accidents, always scan the area for kids or animals that are out of place.
Draw up an emergency plan
An emergency plan is vital. Some suggestions include:
- Make sure there is easy access to a suitable and well-stocked first aid kit.
- Make sure at least one person on the farm is trained in first aid.
- Keep emergency numbers and correct addresses next to the telephone.
- Plan routes to the nearest hospital – make sure it has an emergency department.
- Regularly talk through your emergency plan with your family and other workers.
- Make sure your children understand what to do in an emergency.