Farm Safety

Contact :

Jesse LaPrade
Extension Farm Safety and Environmental Specialist
Corley Building
Auburn University, AL 36849
334-707-9534

Farm safety is a serious issue in the United States. The annual death rate for farm workers involving on-farm accidents is 20.3 per 100,000 workers nationally. Forty-six percent of all farm fatalities are from the use of farm tractors and implements used with tractors. Nearly one-half of farm fatalities from using tractors involve the tractor overturning. Between 75 to 85 percent of current overturns are to one side because tractors have a high center of gravity. Sudden turns at low or high speeds can cause a tractor to overturn to either side.

Please fill out the Alabama Farm Injury and Fatality Survey to help Extension collect data about injuries and fatalities in the state.

Farm Safety Training Materials

Alabama Farm Safety Management Plan - a self-help training program for farmers

A Farm Safety Management Plan for Alabama Farmers - without pictures
Farm Safety Management Plan Presentation (PDF) - with pictures for use in training
General Farm Safety Rules - all participating farmers must review all of the rules and use only those that apply to their unique operation
Electrical Safety Rules
Fire Safety Rules
Tool Safety Rules
Machinery Safety Rules
Animal Safety Rules
Toxic Safety Rules
All Farm Safety Rules (MS Word file) - a list of all rules that can be modified

Other training materials to support the Farm Safety Management Plan

Chainsaw Safety Presentation (Windows Media Video)
Outside part of the presentation, more on safety & maintenance (.wmv file)
Field Worker Safety Training Presentation (PDF)
Tractor and Machinery Safety Presentation (PDF) **WARNING: Contains very graphic images of accident victims that may be unsuitable for some viewers.
Farm Safety Quick Reference - a poster for public training events
University of Maine's Farm Safety Program "Harvesting Hay Safely" by Dawna L. Cyr and Steven B. Johnson is useful and straight to the point for use of conventional balers as well as round bale hazards involved in hay baling operations and applies to Alabama conditions as well as to Maine. Please study this article several months before beginning hay baling operations as there are some equipment preparation that will be needed to maximize baling safety. There are an increasing number of injuries and fatalities involving hay operations in Alabama in the last several years. This well written article should help you become aware of the major hazards involved in hay baling operations.