When asked about the top health and safety risks affecting dairy farmers, Ryan Dick from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services did not hesitate. “We’re talking about runovers, rollovers, and entanglements,” he says. This is not surprising when you think about the vehicles and equipment dairy farmers use regularly. Tractors, trailers, augers, and balers can all lead to serious injuries if safe work procedures are not followed. 

Injury data from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) tells a similar story. From 2020 to 2023, WSIB data for the agriculture sector show a significant number of injuries were the result of workers being caught in, compressed by, or struck-by equipment. “Understanding the hazards related to working with vehicles and equipment, and training on how to control those hazards is critical to preventing injuries and fatalities,” reminds Ryan.

Stress and fatigue heighten the risk

In addition to injuries from runovers and entanglements, injury statistics from WSIB also show that incidents of violence and harassment among farm workers have been rising. “This may be somewhat of a surprise to people, but we’re seeing it in many areas of agriculture,” says Ryan. “Long hours, hot working conditions, changes in public perception,  increased financial burdens across the board, and the stress related to more weather-induced emergencies are part of it, which is why it is so important for farm operators to have an up-to-date violence and harassment policy, provide training on that policy, and ensure everyone on the farm understands the expectations for behaviour and how to report an incident.”

Road rage may also be a factor in the incidents of violence and harassment in farming. “When large, slow-moving vehicles are travelling on the roads and highways, it can frustrate some drivers,” says Ryan, having experienced this as a farm worker. To ensure your team is prepared to effectively handle a situation like this, provide training on de-escalation. Knowing what to do can help prevent panic and will help keep everyone calm. 

“When you add stress and fatigue to the physical hazards already present, the risks become heightened," Ryan explains that when workers are under pressure to get a job done, that’s usually when they rush a task or skip a step. Fatigue can impair judgement. To combat these tendencies, create a safety culture where procedures are always followed. Plan for breaks and try to avoid situations where workers feel pressured or overwhelmed.

Start with hazard recognition

To prevent the risk of injury, start with the RACE method of hazard recognition—Recognize, Assess, Control, and Evaluate—to manage hazards. Identify the hazards related to each task and how they are controlled. Develop safe work procedures and then train farm workers on those procedures. Observe work being done to ensure farm workers understand how to do it properly and evaluate the effectiveness of the controls.

Ryan offers these additional tips to help control the top hazards found on dairy farms. Think about where these points fit into your safe work procedures. 

1. Ensure workers receive detailed training on how to safely operate equipment, such as tractors and forklifts. Training should include an understanding of blind spots and lockout/tag out procedures for safe access and maintenance.
2. Provide high-visibility clothing for people working out in the fields to help ensure they are seen.
3. Always maintain three-point contact. Do not jump on or off a tractor or truck. Climb in and out properly while holding the handrails.
4. Ensure power is shut off when hooking up equipment. “I’m not going to trust my life to an electronic clutch that could burn out unexpectedly, or a plate that may be worn out and not easily inspected,” says Ryan. He recommends having the power completely shut off and isolated off when someone is handling or hooking up equipment to a vehicle or tractor.
5. Avoid loose hair, clothing, and shoes. Never wear loose or flowing clothing near equipment. “Even an open jacket can be problematic if a gust of wind blows it in the wrong direction and it becomes caught,” says Ryan. Make sure workers always have their hair tied back. They should never wear jewellery or hoodies with dangling ties when working near equipment.
6. Perform regular maintenance. To keep equipment in good working order and to ensure all safety features are functional, stay on top of regular maintenance.
7. Encourage employees to take care of themselves. Getting enough sleep, eating well, and staying physically active help to cope with stress. When your physical health is on track, you feel better. 

For more safety resources, visit the WSPS Agriculture Safety Centre.

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