Farm & Agricultural Safety
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in the country. Tractors, machinery, grain bins, animals, chemicals and heat all combine, often with long hours, family members helping out, and help far away.
- Agriculture
Leading hazards
| Hazard | Key controls |
|---|---|
| Tractor rollovers | Rollover protective structure (ROPS) and seatbelt, slow on slopes and near ditches. See Tractors & PTO |
| PTO shafts and machinery entanglement | Guards in place, shut down and lock out before clearing plugs, no loose clothing |
| Grain bin engulfment | Never walk down grain; lock out augers; harness, lifeline and observer. See Grain Handling |
| Livestock | Know animal behavior; use chutes and gates; keep an escape route |
| Pesticides | Follow the label, wear required PPE, obey re-entry intervals |
| Manure pits and silos | Deadly gases; treat as confined spaces. See Confined Spaces |
| Heat | Water, rest, shade and acclimatization. See Heat Illness |
| Roads | Slow-moving vehicle emblem, lights, and care at field entrances |
Pesticide rules
EPA’s Worker Protection Standard covers farmworkers and pesticide handlers: safety training, access to labeling and application information, decontamination supplies, required PPE, and keeping workers out of treated areas until the restricted-entry interval ends. See Codes & Standards.
Young workers and family farms
Children are hurt on farms every year. Federal child labor rules for agriculture are less strict than for other jobs, and children working on their parents’ farms are largely exempt, but tractors, PTOs, grain bins and large animals are still among the most dangerous jobs for young people. Match chores to age and ability, and keep young children out of work areas. See Young Workers.
OSHA on farms
OSHA has agriculture standards (29 CFR 1928) for ROPS, machinery guarding and field sanitation, and some general industry rules apply. But federal budget rules have long barred OSHA from enforcing on most farms with 10 or fewer employees and no temporary labor camp. Some state plans cover more. Small farms still face the same hazards.
Daily farm checklist
- ROPS up and seatbelt worn on tractors
- PTO and machinery guards in place
- Someone knows where you’re working and when you’ll be back
- Phone or radio with you
- Water and shade available in heat
- Kids out of work areas
Standards & references
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