Especially during busy seasons, farm safety can take a backseat. Just one accident could affect your farm personally and financially, says Chris Barron, Iowa farmer and financial consultant for Ag View Solutions. He provides these practices.
- Conduct regular meetings. Alternately, include safety at the top of the agenda at each meeting you hold.
- Use online videos. There are tons of farm-safety videos on YouTube that can keep safety at the front of your team’s minds.
- Make gear accessible. Purchase ample protective items for eyes, ears, skin, hands and feet, along with safety harnesses and other items.
- Review chemical safety. Hold separate discussions about proper handling of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.
- Clarify roadway expectations. Spell out speed limits for farmyards and gravel roads. Enforce a no-cellphone policy while driving. Ensure team members obey traffic signs, even stop signs on gravel roads.
- Inspect all equipment on a regular basis. Ensure all safety shields are in place and in proper condition.
- Monitor electrical components. Pay special attention to any outdoor electrical motors, connections and outlets.
- Keep work spaces clean. This includes your shop. Limit clutter and junk.
- Maintain current inspections. This applies to all vehicles, especially semis. Include all service trucks and other support vehicles.
- Stay calm. We all experience emotions during busy seasons, which can lead to poor decisions that put everyone in danger. Lack of sleep, a hurried mindset, frustration, distraction, pressure and a sense of being overwhelmed with workload can cause us to lose sight of the value of safety. Rest and a good plan can work wonders.
