You work in one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Risk assessment and proper safety checks are critical to protecting you and everyone else on the farm.
Use our short, practical safety guides as a timely reminder of farm safety best practice. They cover everything from the rules of working with slurry to keeping children safe on your land.
Ben Duffin
Outdoor pig farmer
“Safety checks flag up problems before they become a danger to staff, livestock or members of the public. The risk of not doing any checks is problems can occur at the worst possible time – like on the road in heavy traffic or working alone late at night.”
If you can’t see it, you can’t avoid it. Simple actions like cleaning your windscreen or installing a reversing camera could prevent serious damage or life-changing injury. See and be seen, because the alternative doesn’t bear thinking about.
Make safety second nature. Don’t ignore the risk in your farming day. No amount of farming experience can protect you from accidents if you choose to turn your back on safety. Just because it hasn’t happened, doesn’t mean it won’t. Protect everyone on your farm – never skip safety measures.
Don’t leave safety to chance on your farm. Reduce risk with regular safety checks, proper training and the right equipment. You wouldn’t jump from a plane without checking your parachute –never take farm safety for granted either.
Tired farmers can make poor decisions, have slower reaction times and are more likely to have an accident. Learn to recognise symptoms of fatigue, especially at your busiest times. Ploughing on is not always the best solution. Proper rest can lead to better productivity, safer farming and get the job done quicker.
Passion, pride, physical and mental strength? Let’s talk about what it takes to be a farmer. You might think nothing of pushing yourself to the extreme, or working hours in isolation to get the results you need. But how often do you share your experiences? It’s time to talk about the joy, love, hardships and everything else it takes to be a farmer.
Keep your head in the game, some no-nonsense advice on mental health from the Farm Safety Foundation in the UK.
We have been working with the Farm Safety Foundation (FSF) to pull together practical advice for you. For the best part of a decade the FSF has been dedicated to improving farm safety. Carrying out research, producing resources and providing innovative training to enable you to farm well and work safely. Take time to read the quick guides below and visit yellowwellies.org/farm-safety-foundation to find out more.
Increasingly, tractors are spending more time on the road and operating at higher speeds. Wearing a seat belt can significantly reduce your risk of injury. If you need to take a passenger, ensure they use an installed passenger seat with seatbelt. Ensure your machine is kept clean, well maintained and display any required warning signage and lighting.
Consider installing a Tractor Protection System. Providing reduced risk of machine damage, increased visibility and safety for other road users.
Temporary or seasonal workers may not be familiar with the dangers of farming. Take time to ensure they are aware of safety procedures. It’s also important they have the required personal protection equipment and have had the correct training before using any machinery or tools.
Ensure workers are adequately supervised and can communicate effectively with their supervisors. English might not be their first language so take extra care to ensure they have understood warning signs and safety procedures.
At some point most farmers will have forestry issues to deal with. For your safety it is important you follow guidelines, wear appropriate personal protection and always use the right machinery or equipment for the job. There are 4 key things we think you should know about safe aerial tree work.
Damage to buildings, stock and machinery. Dealing with the consequences of a fire can be devastating. But even worse, fires can cause injury and loss of life to livestock and people. Fortunately, fires can be prevented. Remind yourself about fire safety and what to do in a fire emergency.
The power source for many of the machines you use each day with your tractor. A piece of kit few farmers could do without. But with PTO shafts reaching speeds of up to 1000 rpm accidents are often swift and serious.
Simple actions can prevent life-changing injury. Are you taking these safety precautions seriously each time you activate your PTO?
Did you know electricity can jump up to 5-metres at high voltage? You don’t have to touch a power line to suffer serious injury or face costly damage to your equipment. Know about power lines, for everyone’s safety. Here is a quick read on power line safety and what to do in an emergency.
Farms can be wonderful places for children to grow up and a fantastic source of learning.
But, they are dangerous places too. Tragically, every year children are killed in farm accidents.
Children are curious and playful and even if they were born on the farm they are not immune to the risk. Whether they are working or playing on a farm it is up to you to ensure they are properly supervised.
It is a good time to remind yourself about child safety on your farm.
FSF research shows the risk of falling from height or being struck by a falling object accounts for nearly 30% of all fatalities in agriculture. Any fall from height could lead to long term injuries and impact your business.
Most falls happen either because work is not properly planned or equipment is defective or not appropriate. Read this to remind yourself about safety when working at height.
Poorly used or faulty vehicles and machinery are a major cause of death and serious injury on farms.
Stick to these simple rules to stay safe
Safe stop – handbrake on, controls in neutral, engine off and remove keys
Plan your jobs beforehand
Never remove or modify guards to save time
Only operate a machine if you know how to use it safely and have received suitable training
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions
You may expect members of the public to be unaware of the dangers of working in close contact with farm animals, but farmers have no excuse for not taking proper safety precautions every day.
Although most animal incidents are not fatal, many men, women and children are needlessly injured every year due unwise risk taking. We are sure you are taking all the right precautions, but read on for a quick reminder.
Slurry produces gases that can be extremely poisonous and even lead to fatal injury. The most dangerous is hydrogen sulphide.
Follow stringent safety rules when dealing with slurry. Make sure you understand exactly what you are dealing with so you can best protect yourself. Here are 7 things you should know about slurry.
Can you recognise the symptoms of fatigue and do you know to deal with them? Fatigue is a major cause of farm accidents. It affects your decision-making and reaction times. It can hit you at your busiest – calving, lambing, harvest - when you feel the most pressured.
But when you recognise fatigue the good news is you can combat it.
Quality mirrors, glass and wipers and reversing cameras maximise your visibility. Essentials like PPE and Hi Vis jackets keep you protected and new PTO guards ensure your machines are safe.
| Glass and Mirrors | Don’t chance it! Your glass and mirrors are essential for your visibility, if they are broken speak to your dealer |
| Safety Cameras | Upgrade visibility from your cab with our range of external camera packages. |
| Rotating Beacons/Lighting | Maximise the visibility of your machine and the task at hand with Genuine AGCO lighting solutions, from headlight replacements to LED work light and beacon upgrades. |
Wiper systems |
Streaky windows? Time for a wiper change and winter performance screen cleaner. Genuine AGCO replacement wipers are your long lasting replacement choice. |
PTO Guards |
Don’t delay! Replace any damaged PTO guards to minimise risk of serious injury. |
PPE/Safety Boots |
Stay safe and be seen with a range of PPE including Hi-Vis jackets, safety boots, hand cleaner and safety glasses. |
Smart Check |
Ask about a free SMART Check which includes a visual safety inspection of your machine. |
Air Conditioning Service |
Reduce fatigue by ensuring that your cab ventilation system is working, clean and efficient. |
SMART Check is a great way to keep you and your machine safe for the season ahead. AGCO Parts offer a comprehensive inspection of all tractors aged five years or over - free of charge - to make sure you’re ready to take on brand new challenges.
Limited number of inspections available, subject to dealer availability. For more information about this promotion, please see our Terms and Conditions.
