Safety protocols should be a critical part of your dairy business to protect yourself and your employees. According to 2019 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agricultural sector is the most dangerous in America. Taking a few extra minutes to make sure you have the proper safety precautions in place on your dairy operation, including simple things like safety signs, can save a life.
To help you commit to farm safety, the Center has partnered with the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP) to develop a series of quick farm safety videos, in both English and Spanish, that you can use to help share simple safety reminders with farm employees. View the video series below. If you know a dairy producer without Internet access who might benefit from watching the videos, email Emily Barge or call 717-346-0849 to request access.
We also we have sets of six farm safety signs available at no cost. Click here to request signs to be mailed to you.
“We had a field with a bull in it, so I put the farm safety sign all around it just in case. We normally don’t have a bull, so I thought maybe we needed to remind our employees. I think it was a good resource to put up for safety.” –Louie Diamond, Diamond Farms, Fayette County
Tips for Avoiding Entanglement Hazards
Learn about how to avoid entanglement hazards when working with machinery and equipment.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Mechanical Hazards: Pinch Points – Here are some ways that you can reduce your risk of a pinch point incident on the farm.
Staying Safe Around Animals
Learn about animal handling and tips for staying safe around cows.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Animal Handling Tips – Many dairy farmers have never stopped and actually analyzed why animals behave as they do and, more importantly, what this behavior may mean to their own personal safety. (Penn State Extension)
- Dairy Animal Handling Training Guides and Video Series – Positive animal handling is important for both animal and worker safety. It reduces stress, increasing milk production and reducing potential injuries on the farm. View these resources from the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center.
Staying Safe Around Gasses
We’ll cover some tips for staying safe around gasses, especially during manure application.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Manure Pit Standards and Regulations –There are two national consensus standards and one federal government regulation that are relevant to the design, construction and operation of confined space manure storages. (Penn State Extension)
- Open Air Manure Storage Safety Tips – Injuries and fatalities occur in confined space manure storages that are enclosed, such as beneath animal quarters, or below-ground reception and pump out pits, and in non-enclosed storages, such as earthen, lined and concrete manure pits, ponds and above ground tanks. (Penn State Extension)
- Confined Space Manure Gas Monitoring – A gas monitor with remote sampling enables measurements to be taken by workers located safely outside the storage facility. (Penn State Extension)
Staying Safe Around Electrical Hazards
Learn quick tips on how to stay safe around electrical boxes, breakers, fuses and more.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Power Take-Off Safety – The Power Take-Off (PTO) shaft is an efficient means of transferring mechanical power between farm tractors and implements. This articles shares tips for working with the PTO shaft. (Penn State Extension)
Tractor and Truck Rollovers
Learn quick tips you can take to avoid tractor and truck rollovers, especially during fall harvest.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Rollover Protection for Farm Tractor Operators – This article addresses some rollover protection measures you can take as a truck operator. (Penn State Extension)
- Tractor Stability and Instability – This article addresses tractor stability and instability as well as things you should remember when working with this machinery. (Penn State Extension)
Fall Prevention Measures
Learn safety measures you can take to avoid falls on the farm when working with ladders, platforms and roofs.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Horizontal Silo Safety – This article addresses safety hazards and precautions for horizontal silos, particularly bunker silos. (Penn State Extension)
Youth on the Farm
Learn why it’s important to keep family, especially youth, safe on the farm and how to set clear rules with kids and grandchildren.
English
Spanish
Safety Hazards and Precautions for Horizontal Silos
Learn quick tips and precautions you should take around horizontal silos, especially during harvest.
English
Spanish
Additional Resources:
- Horizontal Silo Safety – This article addresses safety hazards and precautions for horizontal silos, particularly bunker silos. (Penn State Extension)