Farm Equipment and Structures
Find Penn State Extension’s resources on farm structures and farm equipment safety. Information is available on manure storage, silos, tractors, trailers, polyethylene storage tanks, farm ponds, ventilation systems, and pesticide sprayers. Additionally, gain access to the Safety in Agriculture for Youth project.
Farm Equipment Safety
Malfunctioning and improperly used equipment is a major cause of injuries on the farm. Tractor overturns and rollovers are among the most dangerous agriculture accidents.
In general, any tractor can overturn depending upon its use and certain physical principles such as the center of gravity and stability. Detailed information on tractor stability and instability are available in Spanish as well.
The most important safety devices that can protect operators during an overturn are the rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belt. While they won’t prevent the tractor from overturning, these devices can protect the operator from fatal injuries. In addition, performing a pre-operational tractor check can also prevent many accidents and costly repairs. Learn how to teach safe tractor operation with Penn State Extension’s comprehensive guide, as well as NSTMOP Instructor Training.
Other potentially dangerous farm machinery includes ATV and multipurpose agricultural vehicles. With the number of fatalities increasing, ensuring safety when operating utility vehicles is integral.
Manure Storage Safety
Livestock operations generate large quantities of manure that needs to be stored and managed safely and efficiently. Manure pits, especially those located beneath solid and slotted floor covers, must be emptied regularly. While the process is usually trouble-free, hazardous conditions may arise if the manure pits are not adequately ventilated.
Confined space manure storage can contain various hazards, including toxic and flammable gases, lack of oxygen, and exposure to drowning. Many of these hazards can be prevented by determining the amount and type of ventilation needed to reduce risks when entering a manure pit.
Dangerous gas levels are especially common during manure agitation. It is therefore recommended that operators are above ground and away from the edge of the manure storage whenever moving or mixing the manure. It is also best to avoid gypsum bedding with under-barn manure storage. Gypsum bedding safety considerations include making gases an even greater hazard and can raising the hydrogen sulfide levels.
Farm Structures: Ventilation, Fire Risks, and Safety
Keeping farm buildings well-maintained is imperative to both the day-to-day operations and safety of workers, family members, and livestock.
Farm operations with silo storage should remember that silo gases can linger in the silo if it’s not properly vented. To decrease the dangers of silo gases, avoid entering the silo for at least three weeks after filling. Keep in mind that storing drier crops and excessive heating can further lead to a combustion fire. Useful information can be accessed via Penn State Extension’s publication on silo filling safety and silo fire decision trees and recommendations.
To keep yourself and other farm employees safe from danger, installing fire extinguishers in multiple locations should be one of your first steps. Note that farm structures such as greenhouse barns also require adequate ventilation to avoid trapping heat, condensation, and manure gases.
In this section, find education resources on farm structures safety. Information is available on utilizing a self-adjusting baffle inlet to improve ventilation in animal buildings, as well as using a grain auger safely. First-hand information on evaluating and correcting hazards can be obtained via the Farm/Agriculture/Rural Management Hazard Analysis Tool (FARM-HAT).
- News
Being Fire Safe at Farm Markets and Public Activities
Date Posted 10/29/2024These fire safety tips won't put a damper on harvest festivities. - Articles
Open Enrollment on the Health Insurance Marketplace for the Farm Population
Open enrollment to purchase or update health insurance plans on the marketplace runs November 1–January 15. In this article, we provide information on the health insurance marketplace and how to navigate open enrollment. - Articles
Best Practices and Products to Reduce Grain Bin Entry
A grain bin is a common structure found on farms and other agricultural industries. - Articles
Fire Prevention in Barns
The words “barn” and “fire” are two words that no farm owner wants to hear in the same sentence. It is an event that we often do not consider until it is too late. - News
Sign-up for the Agricultural Health and Safety Newsletter
Date Posted 7/30/2024The newsletter series from the Penn State Agricultural Health and Safety Program helps the farming community stay up to date to keep everyone on the farm safe and healthy. - News
Summer Issue of the Penn State Ag Safety and Health Program Newsletter
Date Posted 7/12/2024Ag Progress Days, avian flu, tick borne diseases, tractor rollovers, keeping youth safe… These are just a of the few topics we cover in this issue of the Penn State Ag Safety and Health Program newsletter. - Articles
Preventing Tractor Rollover
Tractor and machinery incidents continue to be the leading cause of farm-related fatalities in Pennsylvania. There are ways to protect yourself and practical ways to reduce the risk of a tractor rollover. - Articles
Silo Filling Safety
The combination of high-powered equipment, working in close quarters, heavy summer workloads, and risk of silo gas formation means that silo filling presents several risks for incidents throughout the late summer and fall. - Articles
Agricultural Equipment: Access and Modifications
Improve independence and safety when accessing agricultural equipment. Is a disability or health condition impacting your ability to access your agricultural equipment? - Articles
Ag Safety and Health Springtime Preparations
Spring is one of the busiest times of the year on a farm. Even if things are busy, keep health and safety to the forefront of what you do. See tips below. - Articles
Agricultural Safety and Health Newsletter Welcome
Our goal with this quarterly newsletter is to share information and resources that can be used in the day-to-day operation of a farm enterprise. - Articles
Farm Equipment Safety on Public Roads
Safe travels on roadways with agricultural equipment requires an extra degree of caution from those operating the equipment and those in other vehicles. - Articles
Human Health Hazards from Ag Plastics
This article explores various aspects of agricultural plastics and their possible impacts on human health, shedding light on the associated risks and potential mitigation options. - Articles
Respiratory Protection for Dairy Producers
Choosing the correct respirator for the job reduces injury or long term illness. - Articles
Lockout/Tag Out to Reduce Ag Injuries and Fatalities
Lockout/tag out (LOTO) is a process used to mechanically lock a device to prevent the energization of a machine or piece of equipment to provide worker protection. - Articles
Grain Auger Safety
Auger conveyors are a household item in the agricultural industry and are commonly used when moving grain between harvest, storage, and sale. - Articles
Ventilating Greenhouse Livestock Barns
Effective natural ventilation of a greenhouse barn uses properly positioned openings with unobstructed air flow inside the building. - Articles
Self-Adjusting Baffle Inlet to Improve Air Distribution
This article explains how to improve ventilation in animal buildings through a self-adjusting baffle inlet. - Articles
Safe Forage Harvesting
Forage harvesting begins with the cutting of fresh forage, and can be done by a mower, mower-conditioner, or a windrower. - Articles
Tractors in the Woods
Hazards and safety recommendations that farm and rural landowners should consider when planning to clear fence rows, cut firewood, or transport farm wood products. - Articles
Suggestions For Skid-Steer Safety
This article will address hazards associated with skid-steer machines include runovers and entrapments. - Articles
Suggestions for ATV Safety
ATVs are getting bigger and faster, ranging up to 700cc and over in engine size, weighing 600 or more pounds, with speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour. - Articles
Skid-Steer Safety for Farm and Landscape
Addresses the safe use of the skid-steer loader as used in agricultural or landscape operations. - Articles
Seguridad con la Toma de Fuerza (PTO)
Hoja Informativa sobre Seguridad con la Toma de Fuerza (PTO).