Safety, Health and Emergency Readiness

Tractor and Loader Safety on Dairy Farms

On a dairy, tractors and skid steers move feed, bedding, manure and silage every day. Because they are familiar, they are easy to underestimate, and they are involved in many serious farm injuries.

The main hazards

Rollovers, runovers, loader hazards, power takeoff entanglement and falls when climbing on or off are the most common themes in tractor and loader injuries. Many involve a person on the ground, such as a child, a visitor or a co-worker.

Think of the machine, the ground, the load and the people as one system. Changing any part, such as a wet slope or a heavy bucket, changes the risk. The CDC and OSHA have farm equipment safety information.

Texas ground adds its own risks: dry cracks, washouts, ditches near field edges and sudden mud after rain. Learn the ground before you drive it, and slow down where you cannot see.

Rollover protection and seat belts

Modern tractors are built with rollover protective structures, and the seat belt is part of that protection. Use both. Older machines without them need special care, and many owners retrofit or replace them.

Do not remove protection structures, and do not drive with a folded frame. Slow down on slopes and uneven ground, and keep loads low when traveling. For more on equipment basics, see this tractor and equipment guide.

A hypothetical example: an operator driving a loaded loader across a slope tips the bucket and the machine rolls. A lower load, a flatter path and a seat belt are the differences between a scare and a tragedy.

Loaders and skid steers

Carry buckets low, never lift people in a bucket and never walk or work under a raised load. Know the capacity of the machine and keep loads within it. Check visibility, and use mirrors, cameras or a spotter where views are blocked.

Park on level ground, lower implements, set the brake, shut off and remove the key before leaving. Do not leave a loader raised with people nearby.

Walk around the machine before you move it, every time. Children and co-workers can be hidden by blind spots, and a few seconds of checking prevents the worst outcomes.

• Carry loads low
• No riders, no people in buckets
• Stay out from under raised loads
• Know the machine's limits
• Use a spotter where views are blocked

Keeping people out of the way

A lot of tragedies involve people near moving machinery. Set traffic patterns, mark pedestrian zones and keep children away from work areas. Do not allow extra riders. Make visitors check in and be escorted.

Plan feed alleys, bedding areas and lanes with separation between people and vehicles. A small change in layout can remove a big risk.

A traffic plan on paper helps. Show where vehicles go, where people walk and where children are never allowed. Review it with the whole crew once a year.

Maintenance and lockout

Shut down and lock out before maintenance. Support raised parts with proper stands, not just hydraulics. Check tires, brakes, steering and lights regularly. Report problems and take faulty machines out of service until repaired.

Keep records of inspections and repairs. A written checklist before each shift catches problems early.

Do not climb on or off while the machine is moving, use handholds and keep three points of contact on the way up and down.

Training and supervision

Operators should be trained on the specific machine, have the manual available and be competent before working alone. Rules for youth working on farms are explained by the Department of Labor, so check current requirements and do not assume a young person may operate any machine.

Make sure seasonal and new workers get the same training as longtime staff. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and many dealers offer training.

Mixed-language crews should get instructions in the language each person reads best, with pictures where possible. Confirm understanding by asking people to show you, not just nod. For emergency planning ideas, see Ready.gov.

Where to read more

For general guidance, see this farm safety guide. Texas Department of Insurance information covers workers' compensation.

For other reading, farm.FM has farming stories and dairy stories, such as a farm.FM piece on tractor safety. This is general education, not a safety standard.

Ask your insurance agent about coverage and any safety programs they recommend, since many offer free assessments or training material.

Sources and further reading

• CDC: public health
• OSHA: workplace safety
• U.S. Department of Labor: labor rules and programs
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas extension service
• Texas Department of Insurance, Workers Compensation: Texas workers comp information
• Ready.gov: FEMA disaster preparedness

Ask locally: Ask your equipment dealer, extension agent or a safety professional about training for your machines.