A farm is a unique place. Many Wisconsin farms are both workplaces and homes, which means children and teens are often exposed to farm risks from an early age which creates safety challenges that require extra caution.
When farm owners are immersed in agricultural operations, it’s easy for risks to become invisible over time. However, visitors and young family members often lack the experience needed to spot standard hazards.
According to Brian Kuhl, President and CEO of the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, a hazard is defined as, “anything that could ultimately injure, threaten an individual’s life, or interrupt our ability to get business done.” Protecting your family, workers and guests requires proactive awareness and implementation of prevention strategies.
Foundational Farm Safety Guidelines
Establishing general safety boundaries on your property sets the foundation for a secure environment.
- Separate work from play by establishing clearly defined zones for family play. These zones should be away from active work areas and machinery.
- Evaluate individual readiness by assigning tasks based on a child’s physical size, maturity and skillset. Each child is different, so it is less dependent on their age and more dependent on their abilities. One child may be ready for a task at 13, while another may need until age 16.
- Encourage children and workers to speak up when they are uncomfortable with a task. Farm operators should listen without dismissal and address the underlying risk.
- Eliminate risks by fixing known hazards directly rather than solely relying on caution signs and warnings.
Top 10 Everyday Farm Hazards and Prevention Tips
1. Machinery & Tractors
Hazard: Heavy machinery remains the leading cause of farm injuries and fatalities among rural youth due to their size, power, and limited visibility. Rollovers, runovers, entanglements, and crush injuries are among the most common incidents. From tractors and skid steers to combines and balers, farm equipment can pose serious dangers when young people are asked to perform tasks beyond their age, experience, or physical ability.
Prevention: Taking time to provide proper training, enforce safety rules, and keep children away from active work zones can significantly reduce the likelihood of life-altering injuries and fatalities. Match the size of the operator to the size of the machine. Never allow children to operate equipment if they cannot comfortably reach all controls while properly buckled in. Enrolling teens in operator certification courses is critical to teach property safety techniques.
2. ATVs & UTVs
Hazard: Utility and all-terrain vehicles are great tools, but off-road accidents continue to rise in rural communities. Rollovers, collisions, and ejections are among the most common causes of serious injuries. Whether used for farm work, recreation, hunting, or property maintenance, UTVs and ATVs can become dangerous when operated at excessive speeds, on uneven terrain, or without proper safety equipment.
Prevention: Most serious injuries occur when occupants are not properly using seatbelts. Wearing protective gear, using seat belts when equipped, enforcing helmets, and operating vehicles responsibly are key steps in preventing accidents and protecting riders of all ages.
3. Livestock
Hazard: Livestock can be unpredictable, especially around visitors or under stressful conditions. Changes in routine, loud noises, unfamiliar surroundings, or protective instincts can cause animals to behave in unexpected ways. Since livestock are significantly larger and stronger than humans, even a brief reaction can lead to serious injuries.
Prevention: Understanding livestock handling practices, maintaining safe distances, using proper fencing and gates, and supervising inexperienced individuals around animals can help reduce the risk of injury.
4. Grain Storage & Flowing Grain
Hazard: Grain bins and flowing grain pose entrapment and suffocation risks. Grain can shift unexpectedly during loading and unloading, causing individuals to become trapped or engulfed within seconds. Hidden hazards such as crusted grain, unstable grain bridges, and poor air quality can further increase the danger.
Prevention: Keep storage facilities locked. Follow safe entry procedures, use a harness and lifeline, lock out unloading equipment, and never entering a grain bin alone are critical steps in preventing tragic accidents.
5. Manure Storage
Hazard: Manure pits and lagoons accumulate toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide, creating invisible hazard zones. These gases can build up rapidly and pose serious risks, including suffocation, poisoning, and loss of consciousness.
Prevention: Since the dangers are often impossible to see, smell, or accurately judge, manure storage areas should be treated as confined spaces and approached with extreme caution. Proper ventilation, safety training, and restricted access can help protect farm families, workers, and visitors.
6. Chemical Storage
Hazard: Pesticides, fertilizers and treated seeds present toxicity hazards if ingested or improperly handled. Contact with these products can lead to poisoning, skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, and other serious health concerns.
Prevention: Properly store all farm chemicals in original, clearly labeled containers. Containers should be kept within locked, well-ventilated storage rooms. Use personal protective equipment when handling chemicals and carefully adhere to product instructions.
7. Slips, Trips & Falls
Hazard: While these hazards may seem minor compared to heavy equipment or livestock, slips, trips, and falls are among the most common causes of injuries on farms and rural properties. Tools left in walkways, extension cords, hoses, feed bags, and other everyday items can create unexpected obstacles that increase the risk of falls.
Prevention: Maintaining good housekeeping practices, keeping walkways clear, improving lighting, and promptly addressing hazardous conditions can create a safer work environment and prevent injuries that are often avoidable.
8. Complacency
Hazard: Routine tasks and familiar surroundings can create a false sense of security, causing people to stop noticing risks that would stand out immediately to a visitor or new employee. A frayed extension cord, a worn ladder or a missing machine guard may gradually become part of the background. This complacency can increase the likelihood of accidents because hazards are no longer recognized or addressed promptly.
Prevention: Walk your property with a fresh set of eyes daily. Regular safety inspections, fresh perspectives from coworkers or family members, and taking time to evaluate work areas with a critical eye can help identify overlooked risks and prevent injuries.
Safety isn’t about rules, but rather about modeling safe habits. By eliminating risks early and listening when others express concern, you keep your farm, and your loved ones safe.
As the number one farm insurer in Wisconsin, we provide knowledge and insight to help you make the best decisions to protect your farm and way of life. That’s why we go beyond the policy by providing educational content on best practices – from farm safety to succession planning. Reach out to a local agent to learn more.
