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Ag safety and health : publication

Agricultural Hand Signals

Voice communications are impossible in certain agricultural situations due to distance and noise. For this reason, standard Agricultural Hand Signals have been developed for farm machinery operators by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Hand signals can prevent accidents and save time…

Agricultural Phosphorus and Water Quality

This guide demonstrates the complexities of reducing losses of phosphorus from agricultural land and the range of options available to help reach water quality goals.

Agriculture and the Occupational Safety and Health Act

Missouri farms and ranches must have a safety and health program that complies with OSHA rules, regulations and standards if they have employees. Read this FAQ for details.

All-Terrain Vehicles

Since their introduction, the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has increased dramatically each year. In addition to widespread recreational use, the agricultural sector has realized the value of the ATV as a workhorse. Unfortunately, fatalities and injuries involving ATVs are occurring at an…

An Employer’s Guide to Worker Protection Standard Compliance

Learn terms used in EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, and read about duties the standard outlines for agricultural employers, workers and pesticide handlers.

Animal Handling Safety Considerations

Yet animal-related accidents cause numerous deaths and serious injuries each year. Removing hazards brings you one step closer to a safe work environment.

Cleaning Stovepipes and Chimneys

Chimneys need cleaning to reduce the possibility of a chimney fire. Visit our site to learn about Cleaning Stovepipes and Chimneys.

Controlling Drift of Crop Protection Materials

This guide explains crop protection material drift, its impacts, and how applicators can minimize damage to crops, the environment, and legal risks.

Drought-Related Issues in Forage, Silage and Baleage

Get answers to questions about how to feed livestock during drought. Read about nitrate toxicity, corn silage and baleage, forage grazing and feeding hay.

Felling, Limbing and Bucking Trees

Whether you are using a chain saw to cut firewood, trim trees or harvest large timber, you will be performing three basic operations: felling, limbing and bucking. Felling involves cutting a standing tree and dropping it in the place you want it. Limbing is the removal of the branches from either…

Fires in Agricultural Chemicals

Learn essential safety measures for responding to fires involving agricultural chemicals, including protective gear and firefighting techniques.

Food Defense: Protecting the Food Supply from Intentional Harm

Learn about food defense strategies to protect the food supply from intentional harm, including risk assessment, countermeasures, and emergency response plans.

How to Prevent Electrical Accidents

Electricity, one of the most versatile and widely used power sources, is used extensively on almost every farm. Farmers are so familiar with electricity that they may take electrical safety for granted. When this happens, accidents often follow. Get tips for electrical safety in this guide.

How to Protect Yourself From Respiratory Hazards

David E. Baker, Brooke Ballenger and Rusty Lee Department of Agricultural Engineering

Is Your Family Prepared for an Earthquake?

​Learn how to prepare your family for earthquakes with safety tips, emergency kit essentials, and insights on Missouri's seismic risks.

Laundering Pesticide-Contaminated Clothing

Learn safe methods for washing clothing contaminated with pesticides to protect yourself, your family, and the environment.​

Nitrate and Water

Nitrates in water can harm livestock and infants; this guide explains sources, risks, and prevention strategies.

Nitrate Problems in Livestock Feed and Water

Robert KallenbachProfessor and State Forage SpecialistDivision of Plant SciencesTim EvansAssociate Professor of ToxicologyCollege of Veterinary Medicine

Noise: The Invisible Hazard

Farm workers experience one of the highest rates of hearing loss among all occupations. This is due in part to the many potential sources of loud noise on the farm: tractors, combines, grinders, choppers, shotguns, conveyors, grain dryers, chain saws, etc. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise can…

Pesticide Application Safety

David E. BakerDepartment of Agricultural EngineeringThe great variety of pesticides used in America's agricultural production system presents varying degrees of hazard. These products were made to alter life cycles of living pest organisms, and many of these products are dangerous to people if not…

Pesticide Poisoning Symptoms and First Aid

Pesticide poisoning is a commonly under-diagnosed illness. Visit our website to learn about pesticide poisoning symptoms and first aid.

Plant Biosecurity Preparedness Plan for U.S. Agricultural Producers

Editor's noteThe following abstract describes a publication that is only available as a downloadable PDF.

Portable Ladder Safety

Essential safety tips for using portable ladders, including proper selection, maintenance, and hazard prevention, to reduce the risk of falls and injuries.​

Preparing Petroleum-Powered Vehicles for Winter Weather

Reviewed by Conne BurnhamMU Extension Emergency Management Bob SchultheisMU Extension natural resource engineering specialist in Webster County

Qualitative Nitrate Detection for Toxicity Potential

Provides a qualitative test to detect potentially toxic nitrate levels in water, forage, and feed samples.

Radon: An Indoor Health Hazard?

Indoor air can be polluted in a number of ways. Indoor pollutants include formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, respirable dust, nitrogen dioxide, radon and other gases. This guide focuses on just one of these pollutants — radon.

Replacing Wall Switches and Receptacles

C. Leroy DayDepartment of Agricultural EngineeringEditor’s noteThe PDF version of this publication includes illustrations.

Responding to Farm Accidents

David E. Baker and Rusty Lee Department of Agricultural Engineering Most rural and farm family members are aware of potential hazards on farms. But they may not always know what actions to take if they arrive first at a farm accident scene.

Safe Storage and Handling of Grain

Storage and handling of large volumes of grain on Missouri farms is common. Increased storage capacities, larger and faster handling capacities and automation contribute to many potentially hazardous situations during the harvest and storage season. This guide sheet identifies many of them and…

Safe Tractor Operation

The purpose of this guide is to assist employers and employees in training for safe tractor operation. Farm employers should review this guide with anyone who operates a farm tractor.

Selecting and Maintaining a Chain Saw

Learn how to choose and maintain a chain saw for various tasks, including trimming, cutting firewood, and land clearing, with safety and maintenance tips.

Solving Wildlife Damage Problems in Missouri

Learn 10 methods that can prevent or reduce damage that wildlife can cause on your property, and see the components of a wildlife damage management program.

Understanding the Material Safety Data Sheet

Fred FishelDepartment of AgronomyPaul AndreMissouri Department of Agriculture

Understanding the Pesticide Label

Learn how to interpret pesticide labels for safe application and compliance with regulations.

Worker Protection Standard Overview

Read about how the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard applies to agricultural pesticide use and what you as a farm employer must do to comply with the standard.

Working in Hot Conditions

To prevent heat-related illness, follow the guidelines in this guide when working in temperatures above 75 degrees.
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