Every
year there are an alarming number of farm related injuries
nation-wide. In 1990 alone, there were 120,000 disabling injuries
and 1,300 deaths(1) . Farm owners and managers must begin
to make a greater effort to ensure safety around the farm
and reduce farm related accidents. Buildings are the site
for almost 30% of all farm-related injuries(3) . To help reduce
the number of accidents and injuries to employees, visitors
and stock, care needs to be taken to ensure that buildings
and the surrounding areas meet common safety standards. With
a reduction in injury claims, insurance companies will likely
begin to lower liability insurance premiums. This fact sheet
will help owners and managers to identify areas of concern
and how to correct any possible problems.
- There
should be no unnecessary trash or debris lying around inside
or outside of buildings. It is unsightly, an attractant
to rodents, can start or aid in the spread of a fire, and
could cause an injury or fall to a person or animal.
- Any
ornamental shrubbery around the exterior of the barn should
not be poisonous to livestock. Check with your county agricultural
agent for assistance in identifying plants poisonous to
horses/livestock.
- No
Smoking signs should be posted at all exterior doorways.
Have sand buckets for cigarette butts available at the doors.
No Smoking signs should also be posted in lounges, bathrooms
and in several other conspicuous places around the barn.
- Correct
size and type of fire extinguisher should be located at
every exterior door, in the middle of long aisles and next
to the main electrical panel box. Fire exits should be clearly
marked.
- Every
farm/stable should have an emergency first aid kit for both
humans and horses/livestock. A phone with posted emergency
numbers should be easily accessible.
- Ample
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved lighting should
be available for maximum visibility around the exterior
of the building and throughout the interior. Wiring and
switches should be encased in metal, weather proof boxes,
and out of reach of stock.
- The
building should have lightening rods and be properly grounded.
- Doorways
and aisles should be free of obstructions and sharp projections,
e.g., hardware.
- Ceilings
need to have a height of 8-12 feet.. Door frames should
be a minimum of 8 ft. high with a minimum width of 4 feet.
- Windows
need to be inaccessible to horses and livestock, covered
with bars or screening and made of safety glass.
- Stall
and pen walls should be smooth, free of all projections,
and of adequate size for the number of animals to be housed
and to prevent casting. Stall doors should have secure latches.
- Water
sources should be grounded to prevent accidental electrical
shock.
- Feed
tubs and water buckets should be smooth, clean and placed
securely at the proper height so that the animals cannot
become entangled.
- Flooring
should be easy to keep clean and provide traction for animals,
especially those with shoes. (Note: excessively rough flooring
can cause abnormal wear, soreness and bruised feet especially
in cattle). Any rotten floor boards should be replaced immediately.
- Crossties
and other tying areas with safety release snaps should be
provided to secure horses.
- Grooming
and wash stalls should be in open areas; clean and well-drained
to prevent wet and/or icy barn floors.
- Hay
storage needs to be away from heat and electrical sources,
and if at all possible in a separate building from where
livestock and horses are housed.
- Stairs
to haylofts should have hand rails and kept free of slippery
substances and clutter. Railings should be installed around
loft and ladder openings, and ladders should be firmly attached
to the wall.
- Hay
and bedding should be stacked so as not to fall on top of
anyone.
- Low
beams and pipes (under 7 ft. clearance), steps or uneven
floors should be marked.
- Tack
rooms need adequate racks and storage areas to keep equipment
off the floor and out of the path of traffic.
- Storage
areas should be large enough to keep shovels, pitchforks,
wheel barrows, etc. safely away from animals. Items should
be hung so that people cannot strike their heads on them.
Hoses should be neatly hung in wash rack areas so that people
and animals cannot become entangled in them.
- Grain
storage systems should be ratproof, weather proof and not
accessible to horses and livestock.
- Areas
around vents and fans should be kept clear. Fans should
be properly maintained and cleaned frequently.
- Garbage
receptacles should be available for the deposit of refuse,
bailing twine and wire.
- Turnout
paddocks and pasture fencing should be sturdy, 4-6 feet
in height, and able to keep livestock in and unwanted "visitors"
out. Any protrusion on which stock may become caught should
be removed. Fencing material should be suitable for the
type of livestock being housed. Loose wires and broken boards
or rails should be attended to immediately.
- Gates
should be a minimum of 4 feet wide, swing freely and have
no sharp edges or corners.
- Footing
should be free of ruts and stones and well-drained.
- Pastures/turnouts
should be free of debris, foreign objects and toxic plants.
- Machinery
and equipment should not be left in pastures and turnouts.
- Ponds,
irrigation and open drainage ditches should be fenced.
- Fallen
branches and tree stumps should be removed.
- Washouts
should be fixed promptly.
- Any
bridges should be strong enough to support horses and machinery.
- Periodic
pasture checks should be made to ascertain that no poisonous
plants are growing in or around the pasture area.
- Roads
and driveways should be wide, free of deep ruts and bumps.
- Low
hanging tree branches and shrubs should be trimmed back.
- Gates
should be wide enough for machinery and trucks, and set
far enough back so vehicles are off the main road when stopping
to open or close the gate.
- Overhead
wires should be high enough for trucks, trailers, tractors,
and other equipment to pass under.
- There
should be 10 feet wide fire/emergency lanes around all buildings
and structures.
- Vehicles
should park in designated areas only to keep roadways open
for emergency vehicles.
- Vehicle
and trailer parking should not be permitted next to barn/stable.
- Vehicular
traffic should proceed slowly and with caution.
- Speed
limit signs of 15 mph or lower should be posted and enforced.
- Rings
and courses should have ample, suitable footing; free from
ruts, holes and unevenness.
- Fencing
should be a minimum of 4 feet high and of adequate strength.
- All
overhead and protruding branches should be cut back so as
not to be a hazard.
- All
accessory equipment (e.g., jumps, trail obstacles, barrels,
poles) should be in good condition. Any broken or unstable
items should be fixed or replaced immediately.
- Rings
and jump courses should not attract attention from "outside"
such as skateboarders, dirt bikers or all-terrain vehicle
riders.
- Gates
should be secured so as to deny entry to unauthorized users.
- Areas
around the barns, rings and pastures should be free from
debris.
- Ponds,
large water storage tanks and waterways should be fenced
and posted with "no swimming" and "no fishing" signs to
deter trespassers.
- Hazardous
passageways, hay drops, manure pits, etc. should be properly
fenced and maintained safely.
- By
following the above recommendations, the number of farm
related accidents and injuries should greatly be reduced.
- Delmarva
Farmer. October 10, 1991. "Agriculture: A Dangerous Industry".
- National
Safety Council/Farm Family Insurance Company. 1990. "Your
Farm Safety Is No Accident!".
- National
Safety Council. 1975. "Hazard Checklist For Agriculture".
- Reinsurance
Association of Minnesota. 1983. Fire Safety In Agricultural
Buildings.
- Roberts,
William J., Buildings For Pleasure Horses. 1979. Rutgers
Cooperative Extension.
- Margentino,
M. and Malinowski, 1991. - Accident-Proofing Farms and Stables.
FS-605
Marjorie
R. Margentino, Program Associate in Animal Science and Karyn
Malinowski, Ph.D., Extension Equine Specialist
This
publication was made possible in part by a grant from the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Program
on Agricultural Health Promotion Systems for New Jersey
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.
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