First Aid for Agricultural Operations

Keep these first-aid tips in mind to respond effectively to injuries and emergencies on the farm. 

• Each farm should have multiple first aid and Stop the Bleed kits placed in key locations.
• Make sure that multiple people at the farm are trained in basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Stop the Bleed.
• Have each worker update their emergency contact information each year.

Have the physical address and detailed directions to the farm posted at multiple locations on the farm. This helps people give clear, accurate directions, which will decrease first responders' response time.

Have equipment to respond to incidents at night, such as flashlights with reliable batteries, flares, lanterns, and emergency blankets.

Being prepared can help save lives and reduce the severity of injuries.

• Keep first aid and Stop the Bleed® kits in several easy-to-access locations.
• Have multiple workers trained in first aid, CPR, and Stop the Bleed®.
• Update emergency contact information for all workers each year.
• Post the farm's physical address and directions in key locations to help emergency responders find the farm quickly.
• Keep emergency supplies for nighttime incidents, including flashlights, lanterns, flares, and emergency blankets.

Inspect and restock first aid kits at least once a year.

Resources:

Stop the Bleed Kits – To ensure that you are using the most appropriate supplies, purchase kits from Stop the Bleed. Their phone number is 312-202-5790, or you can email them at stopthebleed@facs.org.

First Aid Training – To locate a CPR or First Aid class, contact your local American Red Cross. You can find a list of classes on their website.

Penn State Ag Safety and Health offers an Incident Preparedness Training. For more information or to schedule a training in your area, email AgSafety@psu.edu or call 814-863-0234. Below is a description of the 60–90-minute in-person course.

An Incident Just Happened on the Farm: What Should You Do?

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations, with farmers, farm workers, and family members involved in serious incidents on farms every year. Because people living and working on the farm are often the first ones to discover incidents, they play a crucial role in increasing the victim’s chance of survival until emergency responders arrive on the scene. Would you know what to do if you were the first to come upon a serious incident on the farm? This webinar is an awareness course that teaches how to safely assist the victim of a farm incident and call for help without putting themselves in danger.

 Who is this for?

• Farmers, farm workers, and their families;
• Extension educators, farm services providers, and anyone who goes to farms on a regular basis as part of their job;
• Emergency services or health care providers.

What you will learn:

• How to keep yourself safe while helping the victim of a farm incident;
• What actions to take and not to take to have a positive effect on the victim’s well-being;
• How to effectively summon help from emergency services;
• The importance of seeking additional training, such as First Aid, CPR, and Stop-the-Bleed.