Struck-by injuries—when workers are struck by moving machinery, objects, or material—make up approximately 30% of lost-time injuries in the agriculture sector, according to the latest data from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Between 2020 and 2023, there were three fatalities as a result of a worker being struck. “Anytime you have people working in close proximity to moving equipment, there is a risk that someone will be struck by something,” says Joshua Paine, Health and Safety Consultant with WSPS. “However, in farming, we have to consider the outdoor environment as well.”

For farmers, the same task can look very different depending on the season, the weather, or even the time of day. Different hazards may be present depending on where on the farm you happen to be working that day and what equipment may be in use nearby. “When we talk about preventing struck-by injuries on farms, we have to factor in conditions such as uneven or unstable ground, wet weather, and moving animals,” says Joshua, pointing out that general training and procedures are not enough. “Farm workers need training and procedures that address the hazards specific to their surroundings on that day.”

Education and awareness are key to preventing injuries

Vehicles and mechanical equipment, such as tractors, forklifts or skid steers, and trucks, are the main culprits when it comes to struck-by injuries on farms. There is no doubt that they are necessary to the operation and integral to getting the work done. However, without proper procedures and effective training, working with mobile equipment and machinery can expose farmers to serious hazards that could lead to severe injuries. 

“Education and awareness are key,” says Joshua. Develop safe work procedures and then provide training on those procedures. Review hazards regularly with workers to ensure everyone is aware of what is happening on the farm, what hazards they will encounter, and what controls are in place to prevent them from getting hurt. It is important for farm workers to understand the seriousness of what can happen if procedures are not followed (i.e., life-altering injuries or death), so include this information in your training.

The same is true for working with large animals. “Don’t send a new worker in to feed or milk the animals if they haven’t done it before,” says Joshua. Have them work with an experienced worker so that they become familiar with how to handle the animals by watching and doing in a safe environment. 

Prevent stuck-by injuries with these 6 tips

Farm operators are legally required to take every reasonable precaution to protect their workers. This includes informing farm workers about the hazards they will face and how to protect themselves. Joshua offers these tips for working safely around mobile equipment, machinery, and livestock on farms.

1. Maintain guarding on machinery. When proper guarding is in place, it prevents a worker from making contact with a moving piece of machinery. “To protect your workers, ensure adequate machine guarding is in place to prevent access to hazardous motion,” says Joshua. He adds that operators should train workers on which guards are used for which equipment so that they are able to recognize when it’s not in place.
2. Secure loads. Whether you are moving hay bales or bags of fertilizer, make sure loads are securely placed or tied down when transporting them from one spot to another. “I’ve seen large loads tip a tractor because there was too much weight on one side. They were not loaded evenly,” notes Joshua. He also reminds farmers to pay attention to the capacity and weight limits of their storage systems to avoid a collapse. 
3. Stay on top of preventative maintenance. Avoid surprises by scheduling and conducting regular inspections of equipment, machines, and racking to ensure everything is in good working order (e.g., stability of shelving units, safety features on equipment, etc.).  
4. Use signage or spotters for slow-moving vehicles. “When you are driving a slow-moving vehicle, such as a tractor, on the road and another vehicle is approaching at the posted speed limit, that driver may have a hard time adjusting their speed on short notice,” says Joshua. Flashing lights, signage, and a spotter vehicle in front and behind can help get the attention of other drivers before they are too close.
5. Use fencing and barriers to separate yourself when working with large animals. This way, you are exposed to only a few animals at a time, which is more manageable if they become agitated.
6. Ensure vehicles are immobilized when working near them. “Whether you’re working with a truck, a wagon, or a tractor, you must secure it against accidental movement,” says Joshua. He recommends developing detailed procedures for immobilizing equipment and vehicles when not in use so that workers can work safely near them.
7. Provide training on blind spots. Not knowing that someone is in your path is one of the most common hazards for equipment operators. Make sure everyone on the farm understands where the blind spots are for the various mobile equipment in use. Use signallers and mirrors to help reduce the risk. “I recommend that everyone working out in the field wear a high-visibility vest,” says Joshua. 

How WSPS can help

Consulting

WSPS’s agriculture health and safety experts can help you improve your health and safety program, address material handling hazards, and prevent injuries in your workplace.

Training

• JHSC Certification Training – Part 2 Agriculture (online instructor-led, 2 days)
• Health & Safety Awareness Sessions (instructor-led, 1-2 hrs)
• Tractor Safety Training (eCourse, 1 hr)
• Inspecting and Maintaining Steel Storage Racks Training (online instructor-led, 1 day)

Webinar

• Managing Agriculture Safety Without a Safety Department (free webinar)

Resources

• Agriculture Worker Safety Resources in 4 Different Languages
• Material Handling Resources in Multiple Languages
• Machine Safeguarding Poster
• Health and Safety Orientation Handbook Generator
• Farm Safety Roundup (podcast)

 The information in this article is accurate as of its publication date.