Preplanning is an important part of farm safety. Preplanning may take some time, but it may save a life. An emergency response plan in a notebook should be available in the event of an emergency. This plan should include instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, maps, inventory lists and emergency phone numbers.
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Making a Plan
Sit down with family and farm workers and put together a list of things that would have to be done should an emergency arise. In the event that an emergency happens on the farm, it is a big advantage to be prepared.
Basic Emergency Response Information
Communication with others is important in times of emergency. The emergency response plan should include a list of telephone numbers to call in the event of an emergency. The list should be in the order of how the calls should be made. This list should also include the owner’s home and other farm telephone numbers, the names and numbers of local chemical dealers and emergency response personnel (fire department, ambulance, local police/sheriff, state police, Poison Control Center and electric/gas supplier). Post the list near all phones on the farm.
When calling for help, remember to give your name, telephone number and state the emergency situation. The telephone number should be clearly marked on the phone or beside it. Post clear, concise directions, since a stranger may be using the telephone in times of emergency. Be sure to give clear and concise directions to the location of the accident or to someone who will take rescue personnel to the scene.
Here are the specific things rescue workers need to know when a call is made:
Make sure family and employees know how to disengage or shut down equipment and the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits. |
___ Where and how to turn off the ignition on gas powered equipment.
___ How to operate the fuel shut off on diesel equipment.
___ How to adjust the tractor seat.
___ How to drive forward and in reverse.
___ Where and how to turn off lights (to prevent fire).
___ Location of fire extinguisher.
___ How to disengage the power take off (PTO).
___ Location of power lines in relation to movement of equipment.
___ How to turn off augers and elevators.
___ How to disconnect electrical power.
___ How to operate equipment.
___ How to turn on fan to get air movement in manure pits.
___ Location of first aid kits.
___ Where other personal protective equipment safety items are located and how to use them (respirators/masks, welders mask, etc.).
Grain Bin Controls Checklist
___ How to turn on the aeration fan.
___ How to turn on the drier.
___ How to turn off the automatic grain cycling equipment.
Publication #: 2360
This Maine Farm Safety Fact Sheet is part of an educational fact sheet series produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. For more information on farm safety, contact your county Extension office.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More