Safety shafts, potentially pulling the worker into it and resulting in a loss of limb or even death, according to the Department of Labor.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture notes that hydraulic systems can also pose hidden dangers, such as burns, falling equipment, high-pressure injection injuries or equipment collapse. Thrown objects from rotary mowers, balers and combines can create suddenly dangerous scenarios for operators and bystanders.
Roadway incidents and transportation are also a leading cause of fatalities within agriculture, where collision risk is high with slow-moving machinery. A lack of visibility and improper equipment marking increases this risk.
Hierarchy of Controls
These accidents cannot be stopped overnight, but it is possible to take steps toward prevention. The OSHA hierarchy of controls is a commonly recommended method of identifying and ranking safeguards to protect workers. These are ranked from most to least effective.
Elimination is commonly the most successful safeguard. By removing hazards completely, there is no longer room left for risk. While equipment maintenance and operation cannot be eliminated, it is possible to remove some risk, such as by automating heavy lifting.
Following elimination, organizations can try substituting hazardous tasks or materials with safer alternatives.
Engineering controls could be implemented to prevent hazards from coming into contact with workers. These include guards, shields, hoists and machine modifications, such as PTO shielding.
Administrative controls follow engineering controls in the hierarchy. Proper training, job rotation, breaks and safety procedures all contribute to a safer work environment and are often used in combination with a higher-level safeguard method.
Personal protective equipment( PPE) is the last line of defense. Gloves, eye protection, helmets and task-specific gear can protect workers and should be used in conjunction with other controls. Brass Knuckle Protection, Farmer Boy, 3M, Liberty Safety and other brands provide head, foot, hand, eye and fall protection. It’ s vital to properly equip workers, but PPE also requires constant effort and attention for best results.
The hierarchy should be applied as a framework for prevention, and it may require a combination and balance of each control to find the best level of protection.
Training for Prevention
Once a framework is applied, training can come into play as the foundation for a safe environment. With proper and consistent training, universal safety standards and practices can become commonplace and reduce risk.
It is vital to sustain clear, documented equipment and operation training. Westfield Insurance recommends organizations“ hire thoughtfully and train thoroughly,” by establishing clear hiring criteria for operators, conducting new
June 2026 | www. FarmersHotLine. com | 17