Protective Gear

Personal protective equipment is critical for ensuring a safe working environment on the farm. Access information on farm safety protective gear, including head, eye, foot, and respiratory protection. Find advice on handling chemical spills, manure gas monitoring, and proper handling of pesticides.

Personal Protective Equipment for Farmworkers

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is essential for many farm duties. Proper PPE can prevent or minimize the impact of many farm injuries. The main types of protective gear include respirators, eyewear, headwear, and footwear.

Please note that respirators should be professionally fitted in order to provide the best level of protection. A respirator fit testing is recommended when performing duties involving farm respiratory hazards, such as mixing and applying concentrated pesticides. Information on identifying respiratory hazards is also available for Spanish speakers.

The majority of eye injuries sustained on the farm result from flying particles. All farm employees must wear eye and head protection when performing tasks such as repairing and operating machinery, trimming trees, haying, or sawing. Workers should always wear a helmet when entering buildings with low door clearances or working in areas where the risk of head injury from falling objects is high.

Foot injuries can result from heavy objects dropping on the feet, animal stepping, or sharp objects penetrating the shoe. Safety footwear should have a steel-toe cap, steel shanks, and metatarsal guards fit over or built into the shoe.

Gas Monitoring and Respiratory Protection Equipment

From dusty fields to dangerous hydrogen sulfide accumulations in manure pits, farming is filled with various respiratory hazards. Using a suitable respirator and gas monitor can help prevent farmers from developing lung damage caused by long-term exposure to gases, vapors, and mists.

Gas monitoring is crucial in any confined space, especially under-barn manure storage areas. Personal gas monitors and portable multi-gas detectors are available for on-farm use and can be life-saving when working around toxic atmospheres and farm hazards. Access the Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Gas Monitors video series for detailed information on selecting and using a portable personal gas monitor.

Farm respiratory protection includes two main respirator categories – air-purifying and supplied air. Remember that while air-purifying respirators have filters through which the user breathes, they do not supply oxygen. Unlike supplied-air respirators, they should not be used in life or health-threatening areas such as oxygen-limiting silos and manure storage pits.

Pesticide Safety and Equipment

Pesticides should only be used when necessary, and all safety precautions must be followed. The safest way to prevent respiratory hazards during pesticide applications is to wear respiratory protection. Wearing personal protective equipment can significantly reduce inhalation, dermal, oral, and eye exposure, as well as minimize the risk of contracting severe lung disease or fatal asphyxiation.

Respiratory protective devices for pesticide applicators vary in design, use, and protection. To select the right respirator, consider the degree of hazard and research the equipment’s specific uses and limitations.

Due to potential health concerns, all pesticide applicators and handlers must familiarize themselves with the common symptoms of pesticide poisoning. In this section, gain access to Penn State Extension resources on storing pesticides in a safe manner and responding to pesticide exposure. In addition, join the Respirator Fit Testing for a free respirator fit test and valuable information on proper use and care.