Shop Safety During the Winter Months

February 28, 2025 | AgFocus-Ag Focus

Agriculture continually ranks as one of the most dangerous jobs in the US. It is easy to overlook small safety steps, but remember no task is worth an injury. Take a moment to read “10 Reminders for Staying Safe in Farm Shop” from Farm Progress. At the end of the day, it is most important for you to return home safely to your family.

10 Reminders For Staying Safe In Farm Shop

We’re well into winter, and producers are readying ground for planting. That means a lot more time in the farm shop — the business headquarters or hub. “Now is a great time to address deep cleaning, inventorying and repairs,” says Dan Kent, Agri-Services Agency loss control consultant. “There are a lot of hazards in a farm shop, from heavy equipment to hazardous chemicals people need to be aware of,” Kent says. “Ventilation in the shop is important. The cold weather makes us want to bundle up and hunker down in the shop. It is important to have ventilation running during the winter to mitigate the activities that give off dust and gases.” Take time to go through safety with shop staff to minimize hazards and risks, Kent advises, while offering 10 tips to practice safety during time in the shop:

1. Avoid wearing loose clothing. Don’t wear anything that can get caught in a power tool or a piece of operating equipment. This is also a stark reminder to make sure the guards are present on tools and equipment to help mitigate entanglement from clothes.

2. Wear protective equipment. When operating tools, and especially around harsh chemicals, wear equipment that protects your face, hands and feet. Protective eyeglasses are a start, but wearing a face shield can protect the entire face. Wear a dust mask when appropriate. Where foot hazards are present, wear steel-toed shoes. Use earmuffs when noise hazards are present. Leather gloves, chemical-resistant gloves, hard hats, protective aprons and welding shields are protective equipment items that should be on hand and utilized.

3. Keep your shop clean. Slips, trips and falls can happen because of uneven flooring, wet or slippery surfaces, cluttered workspaces, or inadequate lighting. If something is spilled, wipe it up. If there are spare parts or tools lying around, put them away. All these items can cause accidents in the shop — keeping the shop clean is good practice.

4. Wash your hands. Farmers work with grease, oil and solvents on a regular basis. Even when wearing gloves in the shop, it's good practice to wash hands frequently to avoid skin damage.

5. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) equipment. Be sure any gas, electrical or hydraulic systems are locked in the off position before doing any maintenance on a piece of equipment. LOTO is more than turning off the machine before any maintenance is done. You must stop power flow to the machine, wait for any kinetic power to dissipate, lock it out with a physical barrier, and a lock with your name or work ID on it. Before starting any maintenance, try to turn the machine back on to ensure it cannot be powered while servicing. This is called a bump test and is often one of the most overlooked parts of LOTO. This lock must remain on the machine until services are
completed. Simply taking the keys out of the tractor so it cannot be started while working on it is a form of LOTO that doesn’t cost a thing.

6. Handle chemicals and flammable liquids with care. All hazardous materials must be kept in properly labeled containers and should not be mixed. Store greasy rags in a container with a lid to avoid spontaneous combustion. All flammable and combustible materials should be stored away from heat sources. Keep fire extinguishers in good working order and hang them by shop doors. A piece of advice for those looking around their shop this winter is to update the book that’s supposed to be in your shop with the safety data sheets. These sheets should come with every chemical and oil purchased.

7. Use hoists, cranes and lifts to avoid injuries associated with heavy lifting. The use of these tools assists in good manual material-handling practices. If using a crane or hoist, it's best practice to have it inspected annually. It’s imperative to make sure the slings, chains and cables are in good shape. Check chains for stretched or twisted links, and slings for fraying or cutting.

8. Prevent electrical injury. Ensure all electrical equipment is properly grounded and all cords are intact. Frayed cords are a shock hazard, and heavier-gauge cords are preferred to operate all tools and avoid fire hazards due to overheating. Check electrical panels in the shop regularly to maintain proper labeling of breakers and information. The electrical panels should also have a breaker or blank in every punch-out to mitigate the risk of electrical shock when accessing or working on the panel. If an electrician is used, it’s a great practice to ask for their certificates of insurance every year and keep them on file.

9.Maintain tools and don’t use defective equipment. Keep tools in serviceable condition and dispose of any tools showing signs of wear. Regularly service tools such as hydraulic jacks, air wrenches and grinders. A yearly inventory and inspection of tools should be conducted to maintain a clean and organized tool chest.

10. Keep the area ventilated. Airflow is important in a heated shop. Remove air contaminants with a ventilation system that includes hoods, roof vents, and high-speed intake and exhaust fans. Maintenance and repair are important parts of keeping tractors and field equipment in good working condition and ready for fieldwork. But safety is a risk whenever working with or around equipment.

For more information on safety training, workers’ compensation, and health or farm insurance, visit agri-servicesagency.com or call 877-466-9089.
Source: Agri-Services Agency