Farm Equipment and Structures

Find Penn State Extension’s resources on farm structures and farm equipment safety. Information is available on manure storage, silos, tractors, trailers, polyethylene storage tanks, farm ponds, ventilation systems, and pesticide sprayers. Additionally, gain access to the Safety in Agriculture for Youth project.

Farm Equipment Safety

Malfunctioning and improperly used equipment is a major cause of injuries on the farm. Tractor overturns and rollovers are among the most dangerous agriculture accidents.

In general, any tractor can overturn depending upon its use and certain physical principles such as the center of gravity and stability. Detailed information on tractor stability and instability are available in Spanish as well.

The most important safety devices that can protect operators during an overturn are the rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belt. While they won’t prevent the tractor from overturning, these devices can protect the operator from fatal injuries. In addition, performing a pre-operational tractor check can also prevent many accidents and costly repairs. Learn how to teach safe tractor operation with Penn State Extension’s comprehensive guide, as well as NSTMOP Instructor Training.

Other potentially dangerous farm machinery includes ATV and multipurpose agricultural vehicles. With the number of fatalities increasing, ensuring safety when operating utility vehicles is integral.

Manure Storage Safety

Livestock operations generate large quantities of manure that needs to be stored and managed safely and efficiently. Manure pits, especially those located beneath solid and slotted floor covers, must be emptied regularly. While the process is usually trouble-free, hazardous conditions may arise if the manure pits are not adequately ventilated.

Confined space manure storage can contain various hazards, including toxic and flammable gases, lack of oxygen, and exposure to drowning. Many of these hazards can be prevented by determining the amount and type of ventilation needed to reduce risks when entering a manure pit.

Dangerous gas levels are especially common during manure agitation. It is therefore recommended that operators are above ground and away from the edge of the manure storage whenever moving or mixing the manure. It is also best to avoid gypsum bedding with under-barn manure storage. Gypsum bedding safety considerations include making gases an even greater hazard and can raising the hydrogen sulfide levels.

Farm Structures: Ventilation, Fire Risks, and Safety

Keeping farm buildings well-maintained is imperative to both the day-to-day operations and safety of workers, family members, and livestock.

Farm operations with silo storage should remember that silo gases can linger in the silo if it’s not properly vented. To decrease the dangers of silo gases, avoid entering the silo for at least three weeks after filling. Keep in mind that storing drier crops and excessive heating can further lead to a combustion fire. Useful information can be accessed via Penn State Extension’s publication on silo filling safety and silo fire decision trees and recommendations.

To keep yourself and other farm employees safe from danger, installing fire extinguishers in multiple locations should be one of your first steps. Note that farm structures such as greenhouse barns also require adequate ventilation to avoid trapping heat, condensation, and manure gases.

In this section, find education resources on farm structures safety. Information is available on utilizing a self-adjusting baffle inlet to improve ventilation in animal buildings, as well as using a grain auger safely. First-hand information on evaluating and correcting hazards can be obtained via the Farm/Agriculture/Rural Management Hazard Analysis Tool (FARM-HAT).