Ag Safety and Health Summertime Preparations

Summer is a very busy time with cropwork, animals, kids out of school, and county fairs. Stay on track with those safety practices. See tips below.

Silo Gas

Silo gas is part of the natural fermentation process and begins forming within hours of forages being stored. The highest concentration peaks approximately three days after harvest. Various gases are associated with conventional silos, but nitrogen dioxide is the most prevalent and can be deadly. Prevention steps include avoiding silo entry from 12 to 72 hours after filling, ventilation, lockout/tagout procedures, posting warning signs, and using a gas monitor. Learn more about silo gas and other gases on the farm.

Working in the Heat

Heat-related illnesses can be serious and even life‑threatening for individuals in the farming community, but they are largely preventable. The first line of defense is the right clothing: lightweight, light-colored, breathable, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.  Acclimating you and your workers to the heat should be done at the beginning of the season to help everyone adjust to working in hot conditions and to reduce the risk of heat stress. Prevention strategies also include the following: drinking plenty of water before starting work and continuing to hydrate throughout the day, taking regular breaks in shaded or cool areas, and pacing yourself when completing jobs during high temperatures. More information about ways to prevent heat illnesses.

Chopping and Baling Season

Fieldwork is in full swing during the summer months, particularly with mowing and chopping silage or baling hay. These high‑activity periods often mean longer hours, tight weather windows, and increased use of large, powerful equipment. Checking your equipment before heading out to the field to make sure everything is in good working order can save time, money, and stress. With all the moving parts, check that all shields are in place. Always remember to shut down the equipment and wait until all parts have stopped moving before completing any maintenance. More information about forage harvest safety. Baling and moving hay bales is definitely a summertime activity. Use the right-sized tractor with a ROPS and the right attachments designed specifically for bale handling, such as bale spears or grapples. When moving bales, remember to keep the load low, move slowly over uneven or wet terrain, avoid overhead power lines, and use counterweights to maintain tractor stability. More information about moving and storing/stacking large hay bales.

Weather

Weather conditions can change quickly in the summer, turning routine tasks into high‑risk situations with little warning. There are practical weather tools and resources that farmers and farm workers can use to monitor changing conditions, plan work more safely, and reduce the risk of weather‑related injuries. By using reliable forecasts, alerts, and on‑farm monitoring tools, producers can make better decisions to protect themselves, their families, and their operations. Learn more about these tools.

Sun Safety

There is practical, research‑based information to help people working in agriculture understand their risk of skin cancer and the steps they can take to protect themselves. Farmers and agricultural workers who spend long hours outdoors should use simple, effective strategies such as applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and wide-brimmed hats, seeking shade when possible, and scheduling tasks to avoid peak sun hours. Regular skin checks and early detection help agricultural workers reduce long-term health risks while continuing to work safely in the sun. If you are attending Penn State’s Ag Progress Day in August, visit the Rural Health and Safety Tent to sign up for a free skin check by a dermatologist through Penn State Lion Mobile. For more information about sun exposure and skin cancer prevention, check out the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health's website.