How to Make Safety Part of Your Farm's Culture

Creating a culture of safe practices is important for any farm or ranch. Whether you’re working around grain bins, driving large farm equipment, preventing farming accidents, navigating weather or trying to avoid falls, farming and ranching can be dangerous work. Making safety a top priority on your farm or ranch can help prevent injuries, damage to equipment and other risks — and that means protecting your business, your employees and your livelihood. 

Creating a culture of safety doesn’t happen automatically. It requires implementing farm safety training practices, which might include requiring a tractor safety course or agriculture safety training. Not cutting corners is well worth it. So, as you create a culture of safety on your farm or ranch, here are some tips to consider. 

Cultivating a Culture of Farm Safety 

Tip 1: Lead by Example 

As a farm or ranch owner and a boss, you are the one who sets the example for your employees. One of the best ways to promote safety on your agriculture operation is by modeling safe behavior yourself. Your employees will see your safe practices, and they’ll want to follow your lead. Culture is created from the top down. 

Tip 2: Talk About Safety Often 

Safety on the farm or ranch is something you can’t talk about too much. The more you talk about safe practices, the more awareness you’ll create, and the more you and your employees will be thinking about it. Plus, talking openly and regularly about farm safety will create a comfortable environment where others can ask you questions or feel comfortable raising concerns as they have them.

Tip 3: Offer Training 

Training can ensure that every employee has the same baseline information about the equipment and processes in your operation. It also means that when you implement new procedures, everyone is brought up to speed. 

Providing ongoing training and current/relevant information is important to ensure your employees are equipped with the right knowledge to stay safe on the farm or ranch. That might involve offering in-person training or online safety courses; both can provide your employees with necessary information to help avoid injuries. 

Use this opportunity to review farm safety measures and to provide a hands-on learning experience for your employees, and schedule regular training sessions so that everyone is on the same page. 

Tip 4: Address Safety Concerns 

Creating a culture of safety means cultivating an environment in which raising and addressing concerns is rewarded, rather than scorned or stigmatized. When you ignore issues, you create the impression that you don’t care. 

Ignoring safety issues on your farm or ranch is not only dangerous but it also sends a message to others that safety is not a top priority. Practice responding safely and quickly to farm hazards and act promptly to improve conditions. 

Tip 5: Identify Farm Safety Precautions and Opportunities 

Make a plan to regularly evaluate procedures and ensure safety precautions are being implemented. Taking a good look at how safety practices are implemented can help you identify areas for improvement. Turning this into a routine ensures that it becomes part of your seasonal and yearly schedule. 

Prepare for the Unexpected

Making safety a top priority on your farm or ranch is key to keeping your employees and yourself safe. But accidents do happen. Be sure your farm or ranch is protected. From workers’ compensation to farm and ranch insurance, Farm Bureau can help discuss your operation’s needs and help you obtain the coverages to keep operating smoothly.