Farm Shop Safety
By CFBF Rural Health and Safety Program
Maintenance and repair shops are critical for farm operations, but are potentially dangerous places to work. Horseplay and practical jokes can not be tolerated. Don’t use any tool or piece of equipment unless you have been adequately trained. Inspect tools before using them. Accidents can be prevented by adhering to warning signs and practicing good housekeeping which include:
Prevent Falls
Make sure work areas are swept and spills cleaned up after each job. Slippery floors caused by spilled grease, gasoline and water are among the most common causes of accidents. Wear shoes or boots with a heavy tread to prevent slipping. Also, use the proper step ladders or stepping stools to reach tools or supplies on upper shelves. Never climb on lower shelves, boxes or chairs.
Use Proper Lifting Techniques (See also below)
Keep your back aligned while you lift, maintaining your center of balance, and letting the muscles in your legs do the actual lifting.
Wear Protective Equipment
- Protect the eyes: Goggles with side shields prevent injuries from chemical splashes, dust, fumes and debris from bench grinders. Always wear eye protection when working with solvent liquids, aerosol containers and especially freon.
- Protect the ears: Loud noises in shops can lead to permanent damage to your hearing. Use adequate ear muffs or ear plugs that are properly fitted.
- Protect the nose: Use adequate masks to filter out dust particles. Wear appropriate respiratory equipment when spray painting or using toxic materials to protect yourself from gases, fumes or other potentially hazardous materials. Make sure your workplace has proper ventilation.
- Protect the hands and feet: Wear protective gloves and well-fitting, steel-toed boots.
- Protect the rest of the body: Well-lined hard hats or protective helmets are needed to resist blows to the head. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants to prevent cuts and scrapes.
Electrical Injury Prevention
Don’t stand on a wet floor while using an electrical appliance. Even using an electrical drill with sweaty hands increases the potential for electrical shock. Ensure electrical equipment is properly grounded. If the plug is not double insulated, there must be a third prong for grounding.
Fire Prevention
Store flammable and combustible materials away from sources of heat. When not in use, flammable liquids must be stored in covered containers. Never throw water on a grease or electrical fire. This will cause the fire to spread.
Fire Extinguishers
Learn the different types of extinguishers and how to use them. Also, take the time to learn where all the fire extinguishers and exits are located.
Techniques for safe lifting
Back injuries are the most common types of injury in the workplace, causing approximately 900,000 disabling injuries in 1995. Over half of these injuries are from lifting. Back injuries may be difficult to treat and may have lengthy and expensive rehabilitation times.
The National Safety Council recommends a number of ways to prevent unintentional back injuries:
- Power Warm-ups – Start each day with slow stretches to help avoid injuries. (see below)
- Before You Lift Anything – Ask yourself: “Do I need help?”
- Clear Pathway – Look for hazards. What’s needed to safely perform the task?
- Use Proper Tools – Wear back braces to support back and abdomen.
- Tighten, Tuck, Straighten and Heads Up – Tighten stomach muscles to help your back stay in balance while you lift. Keep your head up and look straight ahead. Avoid twisting which can overload your spine and lead to serious injury.
- Bend at the Knees – This keeps you balanced and lets your leg muscles do the lifting.
- “Hug The Load” – Hold the object you’re lifting as close to your body as possible, as you gradually straighten your legs to a standing position.
- Remember: Be sure to use the same safe techniques when you set your load down.
Stay flexible: it’s an easy stretch
Muscles that are tight and stiff are a chronic problem for farmers and their employees. Physicians recommend regularly flexing muscles and moving joints through the full range of motion to prevent tightening. Stretching can also help a person limber up, feel younger and reduce the risk of injury on the job.
You’re never too old to stretch. Flexibility can be regained and maintained through daily stretching exercises. Older people who stretch regularly can be just as flexible as younger people.
Basic stretches should focus on the body’s major muscle groups, which include: calf muscles, thigh muscles, hamstring muscles, hip muscles, low-back muscles, neck and shoulders. Don’t “stretch the muscle until it hurts,” only to the point of mild discomfort – not pain – and hold the position for 30 seconds. Relax and breathe deeply while you’re stretching.
You shouldn’t stretch “cold” – that is without some type of warm-up. Unlike what you may have been taught in school, stretching shouldn’t come first. Warm up by walking while gently pumping your arms or do a low intensity exercise for a few minutes. Also, don’t stretch strained muscles – you could cause further harm. Ask your doctor or a fitness professional to help you design a stretching program that’s right for you.
(Shop safety and other safety resource materials are available from FELS in English or Spanish. For more contact: George Daniels at 800-753-9073 or gdaniels@fels.org)
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