Land
owners with small acreage may wonder why enacting health and safety
programs would be of benefit to them. Agriculture continues to rank
second only to mining in deaths per 100,000 workers. In 1999, 770
persons died from injuries sustained while working on farms or ranches.
An additional 150,000 suffered disabling injuries.
If
equipment is being built safer and better designed, why have injuries
and accidents remained so high? There is a one word answer that sums
it all up: behavior. Research shows that 90% of all accidents were
caused by behavior while only 10% were due to unsafe conditions.
The
following checklist is designed to help you identify those aspects
of your operation that can be hazardous. Once you know what hazards
are you can:
Eliminate
the hazard;
Buy
products or machinery that can accomplish the same task but are
less dangerous;
Install
safeguards such as equipment guards or mechanical ventilation
in areas that are very dusty or contain toxic gases;
Modify
work practices (behavior) so that you and your workers stay away
from the hazard;
Wear
personal protective equipment (PPE) when other methods don’t mitigate
the hazard:;
Emergency
Preparedness for Your Family
Emergency
Preparedness for Your Family
Emergency
numbers are posted by the phone
Directions
to your farm are posted by the phone
At
least one person is trained in first aid and CPR
First
Aid Kits are kept in each building and vehicle
Name
of primary care doctor and phone number are posted where employees
can see them
Designated
safe places to go when there is a flood, tornado, lightening,
storm, etc.
Fire
Fire
extinguishers kept in each building near exit
Fire
extinguishers checked regularly to ensure they are charged
Each
person knows how to use a fire extinguisher
Building
exits are free of obstructions
Work
Above Six Feet
Ladders
over 25 feet high have cages
Rails
installed on raised platforms
A
harness is worn and person is "tied – off" when working on a roof
or from a ladder
Damaged
ladders are fixed or replaced
Children’s
Safety
Children
have designated "safe" play area
Children
perform only those chores that they are physically and mentally
capable of
Chemicals
Chemicals
are stored in a locked room or cabinet
Incompatible
chemicals are kept apart
Each
person who uses a chemical has read and understood the label
Chemicals
are kept in their original containers and labels are intact and
readable
Chemical
handling and mixing takes place near an eyewash and safety shower
Flammables
and Combustibles
Flammables
are stored in National Fire Prevention Association approved containers
and cabinets
Fuel
tanks are protected by barriers
NO
Smoking signs are posted and obeyed
Flammable
liquid containers are grounded and bonded when dispensing
Waste
oil is recycled or disposed of on a regular basis
Compressed
Gas Cylinders
Main
valve is closed and no pressure on regulator when not in use
Cylinders
labeled
Cylinders
chained to wall or cart and kept where can’t be knocked over
Empty
cylinders returned to dealer
Welding
/ Cutting
Flash
arrestor is in-line
Cables
are in good condition
Work
is done in well ventilated area
Eye
protection and leathers are worn
Fire
prone materials are removed from work area
Personal
Protective Equipment
Gloves
fit and are resistant to the chemical being used
Respirator
or dust mask fits and protects against the airborne chemical or
dust of concern
Chemical
goggles are worn when mixing and using chemicals
Safety
glasses are worn when there is a potential for flying debris
Personal
Protective Equipment is used, stored, and thrown away according
to the manufacturer’s recommendations
Housekeeping
Adequate
lighting is provided
Floors
are free of clutter and puddles
Counters
and workbenches are free of clutter and debris
Electrical
Building
wiring installed by a certified electrician
Outlets
are grounded
Outlets
near wet areas are GFCI protected
Extension
cords have ground pins
Extension
cords do not have splices or taps
Cords
are protected from being run over
Know
that not all extension cords can be used outside
Flat
extension cords are not used
Circuit
breakers are clearly labeled
Be
aware of overhead power lines
Material
Storage
Storage
shelves are rated for weight of load and secured to floor and
wall
Loads
over 50 lbs. Are moved with mechanical assistance or a second
person
Stacked
materials are stable
Fences
and Gates
All
components of fences and gates are capable of holding an animal’s
weight
Hinges
and latches are checked routinely
Animals
Animal
medications in original container and used only by designed workers
Handlers
are informed on zoonotic diseases and their transmission
Handlers
are well versed on animal behavior and how people should act around
animals
Special
care is taken when near animals with newborns
Cattle
are de-horned
Steel
toed boots with non-slip are worn in animal handling areas
Equipment
Tractors
have Roll Over Protection and seatbelts are worn
"No
Riders" policy is strictly enforced
Extinguisher
and First Aid Kit onboard
Handrails
are sturdy, steps are clean
Hydraulic
lines/hoses are in good shape
PTO,
belts chains, pulleys and sprockets are guarded
Hitching
bolts/pins are in good condition
Tires
are properly inflated and have good tread
Operators
have read and understood owners manuals
Drive
lanes are free of ruts, bumps, and stones
Sufficient
turning area is provided along ditches and embankments
Steep
slopes are avoided
Guards
are used on grinding wheels, drill presses, and other shop equipment
Equipment
cords are in good condition
Each
operator has read and understood the owners manual
Eye
protection is worn
Powered
Hand Tools
Tool
guards are in place
Cords
are grounded or double insulated and grounded or double insulated
& free of damage
Vise
used to secure small work pieces
Eye
protection is worn
Each
user has read and understood the owners manual
All
Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
All
Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have become a fixture on farms and ranches.
An ATV can make hard to get to locations more easily accessible than
with pickup truck or farm equipment. There are also a lot of non-farm
people who "head to the hills" to ride trails and hunt. Unfortunately,
a number of people do not take the time to learn about protecting
themselves before riding four-wheelers. Here are some ways to prevent
ATV accidents from occurring:
Young
riders should meet the following engine size recommendations:
*Do
not allow passengers. ATVs are built to carry only the driver
*Do
not operate ATV on paved roads
*Do
not use drugs or alcohol while riding ATV
*Read
and follow the operating guidelines in the Owner’s Manual
*Practice
driving the ATV on flat ground where you can become familiar with
how it handles
*Tread
Lightly! This is a program to help protect the environment for future
users. Stay on trails, pick up trash and Get Permission to Ride
on Private Property
Additional
Information
1Farm
Safety Specialist, Colorado State University Extension,
