Agricultural Safety

Penn State University has a diverse risk profile with many non-traditional hazards and unique operations, including the farms! The agricultural industry continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations in the nation. Penn State aims to provide resources and services to agricultural workers to maintain a safe and healthy workplace for staff, faculty, students, visitors, and the environment.

EHS maintains a wide variety of programs related to safety, health, and the environment and several of these programs are applicable to agriculture. To determine full applicability of EHS Policies and Programs, please complete the LionSafe Risk Assessment or consult directly with EHS.

Below are some of the most common programs relevant to agricultural work:

Confined Spaces
Confined spaces at Penn State farms may include silos, grain bins, manholes, manure pits, tanks, or any other space that is (1) large enough to enter, (2) not designed for human occupancy, and (3) has limited means of egress. Some of these spaces require entry for some purpose such as maintenance, cleaning, fumigation, etc. Entry into confined spaces with serious hazards requires a written permit. The Penn State Confined Space Program is designed to ensure the safe entry of these spaces.

Environmental Emergency Plans
Penn State has a variety of plans that address facilities, such as the farms, that store fuels, oils, and hazardous materials.  The purpose of these plans is to describe measures to prevent spills and releases from occurring and to prepare for an effective, safe, and timely response to mitigate the impacts of a spill/release. Under or above ground storage tanks for fuel, oils, and chemicals also have specific requirements that must be considered.

Fall Protection
Some agricultural tasks consist of working from heights (specifically 4 feet or greater). This program explains the different types of fall protection that can be used as well as how to comply with regulatory requirements surrounding fall protection.

Field Research Safety Plan
Due to the unique and sometimes unpredictable hazards involved with field work or research, we encourage those performing this type of work to conduct a Field Research Safety Plan prior to work so that individuals can be prepared and safe.

Hazard Communication
Penn State farms use and store many chemicals such as oil, lubricants, pesticides, paint, compressed gases, etc. Those who work with hazardous chemicals have a right to know the hazards associated with them. The Hazard Communication program outlines how to ensure regulatory compliance.

Lockout Tagout
The Lockout Tagout Program establishes procedures to protect individuals from injury during the servicing of equipment by preventing unexpected energization of hazardous energy. Penn State farms conduct maintenance of farm equipment with hazardous energy such as tractors, air compressors, electrical panels, grain bins, etc. Those working on or near energized electrical devices must also adhere to the EHS Energized Electrical Safety Program.

Machine Shops
Shops are sometimes housed at farms to have adequate space and tools to conduct necessary maintenance on equipment. Shops most commonly include equipment such as saws, presses, hand tools, grinders, and welding (hot work) equipment. These types of spaces and equipment can have unique hazards that constitute more rigorous training and compliance to ensure the safety of those working in shops at Penn State.

Personal Protective Equipment
Penn State farms may be required to wear safety shoes, safety glasses, respirators, hearing protection, Tyvek, and/or other PPE to protect themselves from hazards such as flying debris, animal handling, abrasions, hazardous chemicals, dust, excessive noise, etc. The Personal Protective Equipment program provides training and a means to conduct a hazard assessment related to PPE use at the farms.

Pesticide Safety and Worker Protection Standard
Most farms at Penn State involve the use of pesticides. This program aims to ensure the safe use of pesticides and protection of workers who may potentially be exposed to pesticides throughout their work and/or research.

Powered Industrial Trucks and Aerial/Scissor Lifts
Penn State farms harbor a plethora of equipment such as tractors, mowers, trucks, forklifts, aerial/scissor lifts, etc. Some of this equipment has specific regulatory requirements that must be followed to ensure safe operation.

Trench/Excavation
Sometimes holes need to be dug to conduct research or maintain farm operations. Digging holes sounds otherwise safe, however there are many hazards associated with trenches and excavations and this EHS program was established to protect personnel from harm when working in or near trenches/excavations as well as compliance with regulatory requirements.

Waste Disposal
Farms often find themselves in a position where they need to dispose of waste that cannot simply go into the trash. Types of hazardous waste may include chemicals, batteries, bulbs, or infectious waste. Penn State farms must ensure they are abiding by the requirements surrounding disposal of hazardous waste.

You can find more information related to safety on the College of Agricultural Sciences landing page for Safety.

Penn State Extension’s Farm Safety and Agricultural Health Program also has many resources for agricultural work performed at Penn State.

Here you can find articles, courses, guides, videos, webinars, workshops, and other tools related to agricultural safety. Some topics include Animal Handling, Farm Equipment, Protective Gear, Disaster Preparedness, and more.

The “Agricultural Safety and Health Insights” has the latest news along with information on publications, videos, and upcoming events. This quarterly e-newsletter covers a wide range of agricultural safety and health topics that can be used in the day-to-day operation of a farm. You can sign up for the newsletter here