Category: Safety Information

Harvest season is one of the busiest and most dangerous times of year on the farm. Long hours, heavy equipment, and the pressure and stress to quickly harvest your crops drastically increase the risk of agricultural incidents occurring around the farm. Remember to review safety material before you begin harvest season to keep yourself and others working on the farm safe. While this takes extra time, this loss in time outweighs the loss in time if an incident occurs. 

Equipment Safety

• Combines and Tractors
  • Always shut off the equipment before unclogging or servicing the equipment. PTOs and headers can easily be engaged by accident and you should never be near them while they are in operation!
  • Always be on the lookout for entanglement hazards around belts, pulleys, and augers. Often, these are moving at rapid speeds and will not stop turning just because you or your clothing is caught in them!
  • While guards and shields can often get in the way during servicing, make sure they are all in place before operating the equipment. These guards and shields are there to keep you out of dangerous areas!
  • When mounting and dismounting equipment, always have 3 points of contact. Slips and falls from equipment are some of the most common ways people on the farm get hurt, and they are very avoidable if you use the proper processes.
• Grain Carts and Wagons
  • You should never allow additional riders to ride along unless there is a designated seat for them. Young children oftentimes will want to ride along, if there is not a designated seat, it is extremely easy for them to fall off of the equipment.
  • Always check hitch pins and safety chains before moving.
  • Be mindful that every piece of equipment has blindspots. Check your surroundings when unloading and pulling into high traffic areas.

Grain Handling Safety

• You should never enter a grain bin unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must enter a bin, follow the steps below.
  • Always use proper lockout/tagout procedures. This ensures that augers and other mechanical equipment can not be turned on while you are in the bin. During flowing grain situations, it only takes about 22 seconds to become completely submerged in grain!
  • Use a harness and lifeline. This can help save your life if grain begins to flow unexpectly.
  • Always have two other people with you if you must enter a bin. One person should be on the top of the bin, looking in on you, and the second person should be on the ground in the event that an entrapment or engulfment occurs.

Fatigue and Stress Managment

• Long hours on the farm can reduce your alertness. Make sure you are getting adequate sleep to rest and recharge before returning to work on the farm.
• If possible, rotate tasks between people. After completing a task for many hours, we tend to get complacent. Once we get complacent, we often forget about the safety concerns, and cut corners. Most incidents on the farm occur because of complacency.
• When you are tired, your decision making ability is impaired. It is important to not make important and life saving decisions while you are fatigued.

Roadway Safety

• Always make sure you have your slow-moving vehicle (SMV) sign on equipment that is traveling less than 25 mph. This alters others on the roadway that you are traveling at a slow speed.
• Always engage your flashers before operating equipment on roadways. This makes you more visible to approaching vehicles.
• If possible, travel on roadways during daylight hours and during less busy times on the roadways. This will make you more visible to drives and reduce the number of drivers you encounter on roadways.
• Use escort vehicles when possible. This can help manage how close other verhicles on the road can get near you and limit some passing by impatient drivers.

Youth and Extra Workers

• Ensure that everyone is trained before they operate equipment or assist with tasks during harvest season.
• Never let untrained youth operate heavy equipment. Ensure that they are the right size for the tasks you assign them. Youth have less strength than adults and are often shorter. Make sure the task fits their build.
• Always provide clear instructions and supervision!

Questions

1. Before unclogging or servicing equipment, what should you do first?
2. How long does it take for a person to become engulfed by flowing grain?
3. A SMV sign denotes that you are traveling slower than what speed?
4. True or False: Fatigue can reduce your alertness.
5. True or False: When mounting and dismounting equipment, you should use three points of contact.

Answers

1. Turn off the equipment
2. About 22 seconds
3. 25 mph
4. True
5. True

Disaster Clean-Up Safety

Every year, South Carolina experiences a number of natural disasters, including hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and winter storms. It is extremely important to take the correct safety precautions before beginning your cleanup process. Always work in teams using the buddy system before you ever begin the clean-up process. Accidents can happen in a hurry and if you are alone, it could be hours before someone knows that you are hurt or missing. 

General Clean-Up Safety Practices

• Always assess the situation first! Do a walk through to identify any hazards before you begin working, and never enter an unstable structure.
• Make sure to have the proper PPE. Always wear boots or other closed-toe shoes, gloves, eye protection, helmets, and N95 dust masks when needed.
• Disasters can cause physical and mental strain. Remember to take breaks, stay well hydrated, and recognize mental fatigue when cleaning up after a disaster.

Electrical Hazards and Concerns

• Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or water. You should treat all lines as live and stay back at least 30 ft from them.
• Never operate equipment near downed lines!
• Always use a GFCI when using extension cords in wet areas.
• If you are in your car or other equipment and come in contact with a downed power line, stay in the vehicle or piece of equipment. Call the utility company immediately.
  • If you must leave the vehicle/equipment, jump from it without touch the vehicle/equipment and the ground at the same time.

Structural and Debris Hazards

• Barns, grain bins, and sheds may be partially collapsed or unstable after a storm. Approach structures with caution and never enter them before inspecting the structural integrity.
• Be cautious of entrapment risks in loose piles or debris, sand, grain, or any other bulk media.

Chainsaw and Equipment Safety

• Only trained individuals should operate chainsaws and heavy equipment!
• Make sure you have the correct PPE. Always wear chaps, a helmet with face shield, and ear protection when using a chainsaw.
• Always clear footing before you begin cutting in the event you need to quickly move out of the way.
• You should never cut above shoulder height.
• Be extremely mindful of carbon monoxide when running equipment in enclosed spaces.

Flood and Water Hazards

• Never drive vehicles or equipment through floodwaters, they may be moving quickly or be very deep.
• Beware of weakened dams and irrigation canals.
• Always check is center pivots are electrified before approaching.

Livestock and Animal Safety

• Frightened or injured animals may behave unpredictably.
• Approach slowly and calmly; never corner livestock.
• Use panels, chutes, or ropes for moving animals instead of force.
• Report missing or stray animals to local authorities or extension services.
• Be alert for disease risks—dead animals must be disposed of properly according to regulations.

Questions

1. How far should you stay away from downed power lines?
2. What PPE should you wear while operating a chainsaw?
3. Before approaching a center pivot after a storm, what should you do?
4. True or False: You need to always assess the damage and hazards before cleaning up after a disaster.
5. True or False: Frightened or injured animals may behave unpredictably.

Answers

1. 30 feet
2. Chaps, helmet with face shield, and ear protection
3. Check to make sure it isn’t electrified
4. True
5. True

Every year, hundreds of youth are injured while working on farms. In the U.S., a child dies about every three days while working around agricultural operations, making the agricultural industry one of the most hazardous work environments for youth. Many of these injuries and deaths are preventable with the proper supervision and training being provided to youth. It is extremely important to convey risks to youth who work on farms and teach them safe practices. Remember, youth on farms are always watching what you do and will often imitate your behaviors. 

Why are Youth at a Higher Risk on Farms?

• Physical development: Youth may lack the height, strength, and coordination required to safely complete tasks that are designed for adults. Ensure that you assign tasks that meet their physical needs.
• Cognitive maturity: Younger youth may have underdeveloped decision-making skill and may misjudge risks or overestimate their abilities. This can place the youth in dangerous situations.
• Lack of Regulation: Family farms are often extempt from child labor laws, resulting in inconsistent training, supervision, and safety practices. Do your part to ensure that youth on farms are as safe as possible, even when there are no laws.

Common Hazards for Youth on Farms

• Machinery
  • Tractors are the leading cause of youth farm fatalities. Common hazards with machinery include rollovers, runovers, and PTO entanglements to name a few.
  • ATVs and UTVs are often used to make farm travel and work easier on the farm. While these tools are useful very little safety training is often provided and youth tend to use them for more fun than work. Ensure youth understand how to operate the equipment and have the proper PPE.
  • Lawnmowers are another concern for youth on the farm. Never operate a lawnmower with a child on your lap, they are designed for ONE rider!
• Animals
  • Cattle, horses, and other livestock can kick, trample, or bite without much warning to the vicitm. Educate youth on the warning signs of aggression or stress in animals, so they understand when they need to back away.
  • Youth are more vulnerable to bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella from manure or animal saliva. Be cautious of this when assigning livestock tasks to youth.
• Chemicals
  • Pesticides and fertilizers should only be handled by trained adults. Youth are more sensitive to toxins and they should be kept away from them.

Age-Appropriate Tasks

• Under 7 Years Old:
  • Should not be present in active work areas.
  • Can do safe tasks like feeding small animals with supervision.
• Ages 7–11:
  • Supervised hand feeding of animals
  • Gathering eggs
  • Sweeping shop floors
  • Should NOT:
    • Operate ATVs
    • Climb ladders
    • Work around moving machinery
• Ages 12–15:
  • May operate lawnmowers or utility vehicles under strict guidelines
  • Can perform light animal care
  • Should have formal safety training for any powered equipment
  • Should NOT operate tractors over 20 PTO horsepower
• Ages 16–17:
  • May operate some larger equipment if certified (e.g., Tractor Safety Certification)
  • Should be assigned tasks based on maturity, experience, and training

Always evaluate:
✔ Physical ability
✔ Maturity
✔ Task complexity
✔ Supervision availability
✔ Environmental conditions (heat, visibility, etc.)

Prevention Strategies for Youth on Farms

• Active Adult Supervision
  • Presence of a trained adult is the #1 protective factor
  • Should be within sight and hearing distance, especially during hazardous tasks
• Establishing Safe Zones
  • Designated “Child-Free Zones” around grain bins, tractors, and other equipment
  • Fenced play areas away from work sites
  • Use color-coded or posted signs
• Use of PPE
  • Helmets for ATV/UTV riding
  • Gloves for handling animals or tools
  • Steel-toe boots to prevent crush injuries
  • Ear protection in noisy environments
  • Safety glasses during mowing or shop work
• Routine Safety Education
  • Build habits through repetition and discussion
  • Include youth in morning safety briefings
  • Practice drills: what to do if someone is injured, missing, or caught in machinery
• First Aid and Emergency Plans
  • Train all family members in basic first aid and CPR
  • Have emergency numbers posted in barns and shops
  • Keep first aid kits stocked and accessible

Questions

1. What is the leading cause of youth farm fatalities?
2. In the United States, how often does a child die while working around agricultural operations?
3. At what age can youth begin to operate lawnmowers or utility vehicles under strict guidelines?
4. True or False: Younger youth may have underdeveloped decision-making skills, resulting in unsafe decisions being made.
5. True or False: It is okay to let youth ride on a lawnmower as long as they are in the lap of the operator. 

Answers

1. Tractors
2. 1 child dies every three days
3. 12-15 years of age
4. True
5. False

Entanglement incidents often occur when a person or their clothing, hair, or jewelry are pulled into a rotating or moving piece or part of equipment. These types of incidents can happen instantly and often lead to serious injury, amputations, or even death. By human nature, we often become complacent when working around rotating or moving equipment after years of working on the farm; it is important to be mindful that incidents can happen to anyone and that experience does not prevent injury! It is noted that over 60% of all PTO related incidents result in loss of limb or life!

High Risk Equipment on the Farm

• PTO Shafts
  • Rotating PTO shaft can wrap around loose clothing, jewelry, long hair, or limbs.
  • It is extremely important to keep PTO shields and guards in place and never operate a piece of equipment that has an exposed PTO shaft.
  • When working around the PTO shaft, always ensure that the PTO is disengaged and that the equipment is turned off. Older equipment may have live PTOs or lever engaged PTOs. Lever engaged PTOs can suddenly be engaged if the equipment is running due to the vibration of the engine.
  • Never step over a spinning PTO shaft. Loose pant legs can easily be caught in the shaft and pull you into it.
• Augers
  • You should never clear an auger while it is in operation, always make sure to lock-out/tag-out.
  • Often times, materials that are being moved with the auger can sharpen the flutes and result in loss of limb if you become entangled.
• Belts and Pulleys
  • Hands and clothing can quickly become caught in moving belts and pulleys.
  • Never working on belt/pulley systems while equipment is running.
  • Ensure that all guards are in place and never let small children play around moving parts.
• Chains and Sprockets
  • Open chains and sprockets can often grab gloves and loose clothing such as pant legs.
  • Before working around chains and sprockets, ensure the equipment is turned off and all loose clothing and hair is out of the way.
• Hay Balers & Harvesters
  • Balers and harvesters have many moving parts that often times need to be cleaned. Before working on equipment ensure that turned off and all parts have stopped moving before cleaning debris.
  • When working around headers, ensure that the engine is turned off, you can be pulled into a header in a matter of seconds!
• Rotary Mowers
  • Remember that even after you shut off your PTO, the blades with continue to spin until they have lost all momentum. Never work around blades while they are still in motion.
  • Never approach a rotary mower that is still engaged. Debris can be thrown at fast speeds and strike you when you approach.
  • Never walk across a rotary mower. Incidents have occurred where a person has fallen through the top of a rotary mower into the blades.

Prevention and Safety Practices

• Engineering Controls
  • Install and maintain guards: PTO shaft shields, belt covers, and auger shields should always be present during operation. These shield and guards are there to keep you safe and out of contact with the moving pieces. Some older equipment may not have factory guards or shields. Retrofit older equipment to ensure safety!
  • Use cut-off and kill switches: Emergency shutoffs should be within reach of the operator in the event that something does go wrong and you quickly need to kill power to the equipment or PTO.
• Administrative Controls
  • Lock-out/Tag-out: Always ensure that equipment is fully shut off, keys are removed, and the power is disconnected before working on equipment. This can prevent accidental turn on of equipment while you are working on it!
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop written steps to follow before starting, maintaining, or cleaning any equipment. SOPs should be reviewed annually to ensure they are up to date with the correct safety information.
  • Safety Trainings: All employees, including family, should complete annual training to ensure they are aware of all hazards of equipment.
• PPE
  • Fitted Clothing: Loose clothing items can easily become entangled in moving equipment.
  • Hair Restraints: Long hair should be worn up as it can become wrapped around shafts, belts, and other moving components. We are sure that you do not want that kind of free hair cut!
  • No Jewelry: Rings and chains can snag on moving equipment and often result in the loss of fingers and hands.
  • Proper Gloves: You should never wear gloves when working around moving equipment. Gloves can get caught in the equipment and pull your hand into the moving parts.
• Behavioral Tips
  • You should never bypass safety guards. Remember, they are there for a reason!
  • Always keep a safe distance away from all moving parts.
  • Never work alone on high-risk equipment.
  • Remember that incidents can and will happen in a split second. Never rely of the “I’ve done this a hundred times” mindset.

Questions

1. What percentage of PTO related incidents result in loss of limb or life?
2. Before working on or around equipment, what should be your first step?
3. Before operating equipment, what should you check for on the PTO shaft?
4. True or False: You should always wear gloves when working around moving parts of equipment.
5. True or False: You should never step over a spinning PTO shaft. 

Answers

1. Over 60%
2. Disengage the PTO, auger, belt, or other moving piece, and then completely shutoff the equipment
3. Check that all proper guards are in place and secure
4. False
5. True

Center pivots are vital to South Carolina agricultural operations as they provide needed water to crops to ensure that agricultural operations can provide the necessary crops for the state. While they are very important, many hazards are associated with them. Before you ever begin to work on a center pivot, ensure that all power supplies are locked out/tagged out to ensure that you do not get electrocuted. 

Type of Hazards

• Electrical Hazards
  • High Voltage: pivots are generally operated using 480V 3-phase electricity
  • Common mistakes:
    • Working on equipment with wet hands
    • Not following proper lockout/tagout procedures
  • Safety Tips:
    • Always call on a trained professionals to make electrical repairs to center pivots.
    • Always assume electrical wires are live.
    • Install GFCIs on all outlets near irrigation systems to help protect all circuits.
• Mechanical Hazards
  • Moving parts:
    • Drive shaft
    • Wheel gears
    • Tower motors
  • Injury Examples:
    • Loose clothing or jewelry caught in shafts while they are moving
    • Crushing injuries from tire rotation or pivot towers
  • Safety Tips:
    • Keep a safe distance from center pivots while they are running.
    • Never remove or bypass safety guards, they are there to keep you safe!
    • Exersice caution when driving equipment near or around center pivots.

• Environmental Hazards
  • Wet and Slipper Conditions:
    • Center pivot wheels create deep ruts, tripping and ankle injuries are a common concern.
  • Weather Risks:
    • Pivots often act as lightning rods in fields, never work around a center pivot during a thunderstrom.
    • High winds can damage and topple center pivots in seconds.
  • Wildlife and Insects:
    • Check control boxes for snakes and insect nests before working on the pivot.
  • Safety Tips:
    • Wear boots with lots of traction when working around center pivots.
    • Schedule maintanence when the ground will be dry around the pivot.
    • Always check openings and boxes before opening them.

Emergency Preparedness

• If someone is electrocuted:
  • Do not touch them directly! Use a non-conductive object to seperate them from the source.
  • Call 911 immediately!
  • Begin CPR is trained and safe to do so.
• If the system collapses or tips:
  • Shut down power from the main disconnect.
  • Keep others away until the structure is stable.
• First aid and communication:
  • Keep a waterproof first aid kit in nearby shops and vehicles.
  • Use two-way radios or cellphones to communicate hazards when working around center pivots.
• Emergency Info:
  • Post clear maps showing pivot locations.
  • Ensure everyone knows where and how to disconnect electrical connections to the pivot.

Questions

1. What voltage are center pivots generally operated at?
2. What types of outlets should be installed around center pivots?
3. Before working on a center pivot, what should your first step be?
4. True or False: If someone is being electrocuted, you should immediately reach out and grab them.
5. True or False: Entanglements can occur in the moving parts of pivots, and you should never wear loose clothing or jewelry around them.

Answers

1. 480 Volts
2. GFCIs
3. Lockout/tagout all equipment
4. False
5. True