January 16, 2003

Winter is Time for Making Important Farm Safety Plans

Agricultural producers are busy making plans during the early months of the year. Typical topics for spring plans include the farm program, machine use, crop variety selection, fertilizer use, crop chemical selection and land use. According to George Maher, NDSU Extension Service agricultural safely specialist, safety management should be planned in conjunction with these topics. "Including safety in farm planning will help other goals become reality," Maher says.

If farm safety is to be accepted as a serious issue, there should be a safety management plan, Mayer says. " The family that works together should plan their safety program together. When an accident happens and an injury results, everyone will be affected."

Maher advises that a safety management plan include such things as an emergency response plan, how to avoid becoming another victim, giving first aid, being sure that everyone knows how to call for help and give directions, training in regard to emergency procedures for all farm equipment and how to stop and shut off the machinery. Every hazardous job should be explained and discussed so each family member has an understanding of safety concerns.

According to Maher, it is important to assign age-appropriate tasks on the farm. A farm typically is a family operation with each member playing his or her part. Some jobs may be too demanding for a person of a certain age, young or old. "When work is assigned, age as well as physical and emotional maturity, must be considered," Maher says.

Training in CPR and first aid is an important component in farm safety. Training in CPR and first aid is age-appropriate. If all family members are mature enough to administer first aid or CPR, they are likely to feel more secure in working on the farm. Maher recommends attending a CPR or first aid class as a family activity.

"Safety policies need to be established," Maher says. "Decisions need to be made and followed in regard to operating machinery, doing chores and who can go in certain buildings or areas. It is important for a youngster to know that he or she is not permitted in a particular building or area because of hazards."

The safe family farm conducts at least one safety inspection every year. Conducting a safety inspection tour before each major farm season is recommended. "The farm that operates by allowing one season to blend into the next without taking time for safety is more likely to have a higher injury rate," says Maher.

Maher advises using a follow up to farm safety efforts to assure the plan is useful and effective. Using safety checklists with machinery and farm procedures and keeping records of safety inspections and training is important. Farm safety doesn't just happen; it takes effort.

It is important that husband and wife work together to enforce their family farm safety plan. "It takes cooperation and effort from all members of the family to implement a successful farm safety program," Maher says.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Deana Oe, (701) 231-8371, deana.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu