Make Farm Safety Your New Year’s Resolution

by Anna Meyerhoff (published 1/1/2010 in Country Folks Grower)

The holidays have come and gone, and 2010 is now upon us. This time of year is good for reflection, and making sure everything’s up to speed before the busy season starts again in spring. You’re probably doing a lot of things well already, but there’s always room for improvements - everyone could be a little safer. Perhaps your equipment is missing shields or guards that you haven’t gotten around to replacing yet. Maybe you haven’t had safety training for all your employees. I encourage you all to look around the farmstead, packing house or orchard and find a few areas where improvements could be made. Here’s a short checklist of some things to look at:

General farmstead safety:

- Clean out the clutter! Get rid of any extra junk you won’t be using

- Properly store tools, equipment and paperwork to eliminate tripping hazards

- Fix anything that’s broken or needs extra attention

- Check condition of items such as ladders, bins and packing house equipment

- Make sure workers have access to PPE (personal protective equipment) such as goggles, gloves, hearing protection, respirators, etc.

- Check all extinguishers, smoke detectors, shutoff switches and eye wash stations

- Post first aid kits, emergency contact numbers, maps and fire extinguishers

- Make sure all workers are familiar with your farm’s emergency plan and know where the designated meeting place is

- Get CPR and first aid training – available for free from NYCAMH

Chemicals and pesticides:

- Take an inventory of all chemicals and pesticides on the farm

- Properly dispose of any chemicals that are no longer being used

- Make sure MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are available for each chemical and are stored in a central location that is accessible to all employees

- Ensure that all hazardous substances are properly stored and that all containers are labeled

- Make sure all workers have undergone Hazard Communication (chemical safety) and WPS (Worker Protection Standard) training as necessary

Tractor, PTO and machinery safety:

- Inspect shields and guards on equipment – look for damage

- Ensure proper lighting and marking on all machinery, such as SMV symbols

- Make any necessary repairs and replace broken or damaged shields or parts

- Lubricate PTO shields to keep them rotating freely

- Ensure that all workers wear close-fitting clothing, keep long hair tied back, use proper PPE and observe safe practices while operating equipment

Winter weather:

- Use sand and salt regularly to keep walkways ice-free

- Watch for ice and snow accumulation – be careful climbing on and off equipment

- Wear layered, loose-fitting clothing

- Take short breaks in heated areas

- Don’t work alone outside for long periods of time

- Wear footwear with a good non-slip tread

- Ensure adequate lighting for outdoor areas

- Allow extra time for chores – never rush or run

NYCAMH can help you and your workers stay safer on the farm in 2010. Our on-farm safety surveys use a checklist to look at potential hazards around the farmstead, as well as tractors and machinery, and evaluate use of personal protective equipment. Additionally, we offer on-farm training sessions to any agricultural operation. We can do training in English and Spanish, on a variety of topics including WPS, Hazard Communication, packing house safety, personal hygiene, forklift, ladder safety, tractor and machinery, and mechanical hazards. We also have a variety of bilingual safety posters and farm emergency info cards available at no cost. Our on-farm safety programs are funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Labor Hazard Abatement Board.

With support from the NYS Department of Health, NYCAMH is proud to offer free CPR and first aid certification through the American Heart Association, as well as training in fire extinguisher use and first response for farm emergencies. If you would like more information about our services or wish to schedule an on-farm safety training session, please contact me at 800-343-7527, ext 291 or email me at ameyerhoff@nycamh.com. These trainings are offered at no cost and are available in English and Spanish. NYCAMH, a program of Bassett Healthcare, is enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury.