Note: The following is an excerpt from an article published in the November 2015 issue of Feedlot Magazine.

Let’s face it. Common sense isn’t so common anymore. We used to hire kids off the farm who would clock in on day one already knowing how to run equipment, work cattle and stay out of the way when things got dicey. Now, we have to teach them everything under the sun and pray they can figure out the rest.                                                                                                 

Unfortunately, in spite of all that, the industry still suffers its share of feedlot accidents. We hear about employees being run over by feed trucks, dragged by horses, thrown off ATVs or pinched while working cattle. Some accidents cause minor injuries and maybe a brief hospital stay, while others lead to devastating fatalities.

The cost of these accidents escalates along with the cost of medical care. By comparison, the average expense of a chainsaw accident in 1985 was about $3,850. Today, it’s around $55,000—not counting lost wages, disability payments, increased insurance costs and lost productivity.

Your farm-safety program doesn’t have to be complicated, but, for it to work, everyone in the operation needs to buy into it. These seven steps will help you convince managers and employees to take ownership of the safety program and drive the safety agenda.

Ah, the great outdoors—crisp, clean air and the refreshing smell of morning dew! Yes, this is just one of the reasons many of us really love farming. On the other hand, does farming generate  hazards for our respiratory systems? Not only is the answer a resounding “yes,” but some of the most treacherous respiratory dangers are actually unique to farming.

For agribusiness owners making the first-time commitment to implement employee safety training, the question often arises at some point: Will videos alone satisfy OSHA requirements, or do I have to hire a safety expert to come on site and conduct some kind of formal training?

It's easy to take everyday safety measures for granted when you've got years of farm experience. You get used to going through the motions and repeating many of the same duties day in, day out.

Summer is a busy time for farm operations and their employees. As the days get longer and hotter, it’s important to keep your farm family safe.

I caught up with a friend last week who owned a large dairy farm and now works for a farm co-op in his “retirement.” When I mentioned ag-safety programs and OSHA compliance, he quickly rolled his eyes and sarcastically said, “Ugh,” with a chuckle.

With so few official OSHA training regulations for agriculture, you might think that you have covered all your bases in your farm-safety training and meeting OSHA's training requirements. On the contrary, staying current on all OSHA requirements is an ongoing project for you and your safety team.

Safety issues must become a top priority. That means creating a strategy that safeguards your employees’ and managers’ safety and fosters a solid expectation for everyone’s complete compliance with OSHA guidelines. These goals will help establish the foundation of a safety culture that, in turn, could lead to higher productivity and profits for your farm. 

Employees and seasonal workers come from many sources to be employed in the agricutural industry. Many agricultural workers have had no exposure to the agricultural workplace. Regardless of how workers come to work for you, all workers need to know how to do their jobs safely.