Ensuring Farm Safety: Regulations and Best Practices for Farmers

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) conducted two agricultural accident surveys carried out during 2004-2007 and 2012-2013 in collaboration with Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute to develop safer equipment and safety measures for minimizing accidents. 

They reported that over 30% of the accidents were due to farm machines, at least 35% of the accidents were caused by hand tools, and the remaining accidents were caused by natural disasters or animals.

Their study concluded that farm machinery-related accidents were caused due to tractors and tractor-operated equipment, animal-drawn equipment, threshers, electronic water pumps, chaff cutters, power tillers, sprayers, and other machinery. It was also observed that snake bites are a major source of fatal accidents and that anti-venom injections should be made available at all local village-level health centers.

Farm Safety Measures

Following regular maintenance and repairs, replace all guards and shields that are showing signs of wear and tear.

Always thoroughly read the manual for each piece of electronic or handheld equipment. Technology is always evolving. Therefore, it is important that you not only keep in touch with them but also know the proper way to handle them.

If you are not comfortable with repairing and maintenance of farming equipment, then seek professional help for routine services and repairs.

While working in extremely hot conditions during peak summers try to wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Ask your laborers to do the same as well. Cover heads with a head wrap or cap, and designate a shady spot to cool off. Take and give frequent breaks. Make drinking water readily available at all times. Also, develop a heat stress prevention plan in case of heat stroke.

Make sure that the workers you hire for seasonal work know how to use farming equipment and are trained in the ways of properly using said equipment.

Take short rests throughout the day and afford the same privilege to contract workers as well. Operating the same machinery for extended periods of time while feeling fatigued can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Therefore, rest whenever you feel overwhelmed.

It is best to avoid alcohol until you are finished with work. Alcohol can impair our judgment and can increase reckless behaviour. The combination of alcohol and farm equipment can be dangerous as it can cause massive damage to the quality and quantity of the yield.

If you have children or allow your workers to bring their children on the farm, then it is advised to build a separate play area for the children, which is far away from machinery. Children tend to be curious, therefore, appoint a guardian for them as farming accidents can be fatal for children.

While applying fertilizers and pesticides, it is extremely important to wear and provide others with respiratory protection as they contain chemicals that are not safe to be inhaled. You must also wear respiratory protection while working in confined animal facilities, cleaning up bird or rodent droppings, cleaning biological contaminants, handling moldy grain, and cleaning grain bins.

The respirator protection helps to filter out harmful chemicals or biological contaminants that can otherwise have detrimental effects on our health. Respirators can be purchased from agricultural safety supply stores, and chemical suppliers, and are also available online.

Not all tractors are suited for driving on rough terrains or slopes. Therefore, purchase a tractor that is suited to your terrain. Fasten your seatbelt while driving and do not drive on a steep slope, near ditches, embankments, or holes as the tractors can roll over. Also, make sure to reduce speed when driving in muddy, rough, or slick surfaces.