Farm Safety Tips: How to Prevent Farming Accidents and Stay Safe
Mar 11, 2025
2 min read
Working on the farm or ranch can be dangerous — especially if you’re using equipment driven by power take-off (PTO), like elevators, grain augers and silage blowers. The power take-off transfers the power from the tractor to the other machinery or equipment. In so doing, the PTO and the drive shaft rotate quickly. Dangerous power take-off entanglement injuries can happen when clothing is caught by the tractor’s PTO stub.
Keeping yourself and everyone who works on your farm or ranch safe is your top priority. Agriculture safety is paramount. So, to increase farm safety and reduce the risk of farming accidents, it’s important to follow farm safety tips at your operation — particularly when you’re using power take-off equipment. Here are some farm safety tips to help prevent injuries and avoid PTO accidents on your farm or ranch.
Farm Safety Tips: How to Reduce Farming Accidents
Understanding Agriculture Safety: Why It Matters
One of the biggest dangers when using PTO-driven farm equipment is the risk of an entanglement. Guards or shields can go a long way toward creating a safer environment, and ensuring your tractor and other machinery are equipped with proper safety features is prudent. Consider what type of shield you need as well: a master shield covers and extends over the tractor PTO stub on three sides, while a driveline shield completely covers the shaft.
Common Causes of Farming Accidents & How to Prevent Them
Baggy or loose clothing like shirts, sweatshirts, coats and long pants can get caught and tangled in a rotating PTO shaft. So, when operating a PTO-powered piece of equipment, be sure your clothing is properly fitted and won’t be easily caught on the equipment. Avoid wearing anything with loose edges or pieces that might be ensnared. Items like shoelaces and jewelry can also get caught. Refrain from wearing jewelry, and keep your shoelaces tied properly. A little bit of forethought could prevent a tragedy.
Equipment & Machinery: Farm Safety Guidelines Every Farmer Should Know
When you’re short on time, taking shortcuts can seem like a good idea. But you owe it to yourself and your operation to take precautions seriously. When you’re operating potentially hazardous equipment, it’s important to slow down and follow proper processes such as these:
- Be sure not to step over the power take-off shaft. Instead, walk around the machinery.
- Always turn the equipment and tractor off when making repairs or adjustments.
- Never try to remove debris close to an in-use PTO shaft.
Farm Safety Training: Teaching Others to Operate Equipment Safely
If anyone else operates the power take-off on your farm, it’s crucial for farm safety that they learn how to operate it safely, follow procedures and take precautions as well. Teaching others how to safely operate this equipment is part of your responsibility. Take time to walk through proper operating and safety procedures with everyone who works with you.
Teaching Kids Farm Safety: How to Keep Children Safe on the Ranch
A farm or ranch is an exciting place to be a kid, with plenty of open area to run and interesting machinery to observe. But it can also be dangerous, and children need to be taught proper safety measures. Be sure to talk with your kids about the importance of farm and ranch safety — including staying away from power take-offs and other machinery while in operation.
Prevent Accidents & Stay Safe at Your Farm
Your farm or ranch is more than just a business: it’s your livelihood. Practicing safety precautions can help ensure you’re able to run your operation smoothly. Contact your local Farm Bureau agent to be sure your farm and ranch coverage is keeping up with your operation’s needs. And don’t forget to ask your agent about our Workers’ Compensation coverage.