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Reducing Climbing on Farms

Every climb is a chance to fall. The most effective way to reduce that risk is to climb less, and farms usually have more options for that than people realize.

Where do farmers climb most?

Think through a typical week. Climbing onto tractors and combines, up ladders to check bins or silos, onto trailers and truck beds, into hay lofts and onto roofs all add up. Add in steps at barn doors and loading docks.

Counting them is an eye-opener. Many climbs happen simply because of how the farm was laid out years ago, not because they are necessary.

Write the list somewhere visible, like the shop wall. Seeing it often keeps the question alive when you are planning repairs or purchases.

Can you remove the need to climb?

Start by asking whether the task can be done from the ground. Sight glasses, remote gauges, cameras, extended handles and ground-level fill or sampling points can remove climbs. Equipment dealers and suppliers can say what options exist for your system.

Some tasks can be moved. Storing items at ground level instead of in a loft or on a high shelf eliminates a climb each time you need them.

Some farmers also change how often a task is done. Remote monitoring may let you check a bin or tank less often without losing control of the situation.

• Ground-level controls and sampling points
• Cameras and remote monitoring
• Storage moved to waist height
• Platforms or lifts in place of ladders

What about the climbs that remain?

Improve each one. Good steps, solid handholds, slip-resistant surfaces and strong lighting make a real difference. Keep the area free of mud, ice and clutter.

For ladders and fixed access on buildings and storage structures, follow OSHA guidance and manufacturer instructions. Do not rely on memory for angles, ratings or heights. Check official sources.

Inspect ladders, platforms and steps regularly and take damaged ones out of service until repaired or replaced. A ladder in poor shape is not a spare, it is a hazard. Think about lighting at the top and bottom of every climb, since a poorly lit step is often the one people miss. Add handholds that start before you leave the ground and continue until you are fully on the platform.

How do conditions change the risk?

Rain, frost, snow and dew make steps slick. Gloves, boots and clothing can all affect grip. Check the National Weather Service forecast and plan climbing for better conditions where possible.

Be especially careful when tired, rushed or carrying something. Many falls happen during routine, familiar tasks.

Footwear matters. Sturdy boots with a clean, grippy tread do more than any amount of care in worn-out, muddy shoes. Wind can add risk on high structures, and heat can bring fatigue and dizziness. Choose the cooler, calmer part of the day for the work you cannot avoid.

Is fall protection part of the answer?

For some work at height, fall protection equipment and training are required or recommended. Details depend on the work, the structure and the rules that apply to you. Check with OSHA and your state agency, and seek training from recognized safety organizations.

Do not improvise anchor points or equipment. Incorrect use can create new hazards.

If a task needs someone else to hold something or watch, plan for that, but do not rely on another person as a safety system. Seek hands-on training for any work at height, as reading is not a substitute for practice with a qualified instructor.

Who should you involve?

Ask family and coworkers which climbs they dread or avoid. They may know about problems you have stopped noticing. Make it easy to report a loose step or broken ladder without blame.

If you are an older farmer, discuss which climbs you should hand off. Taking the risk off your plate is not giving up the farm. It keeps you on it.

Seasonal workers and new family members may not know which climbs are risky. Show them and write it down. Keep a phone within reach when you must work alone at height, and tell someone where you will be and when you plan to return.

Where can you find ideas and training?

Extension safety specialists, NIOSH and OSHA provide general guidance on falls in agriculture. AgrAbility projects share adaptations for people with limited mobility. Local availability varies, so ask your county extension office.

In an emergency after a fall, call 911 and do not move someone who may be seriously hurt unless told to by emergency services.

Share what you learn. A neighbor may have solved the same problem with a simple change you can copy.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.