Home / Dust & Air / Annual Respiratory Safety Review

Annual Respiratory Safety Review

A yearly review keeps good intentions from fading. Set a date, walk the farm, and write down what to keep, fix or change.

Why do an annual review?

Farms change. New crops, buildings, equipment and workers bring new exposures. A yearly review helps you notice changes and adjust before problems arise.

Choose a quieter time, such as winter, so you can make repairs and order supplies before the busy season.

Think about the people who rarely appear in safety plans, such as neighbors who help at harvest, family members visiting for the season and drivers who deliver grain. Make sure each knows the key rules and who to ask. Keep the checklist from year to year so you can see progress. Review last year's notes on symptoms, near misses and repairs, because they are the best guide to what needs attention this year.

What should you walk through?

Walk every building and work area with a checklist. Note dust points, mold, ventilation, exhaust and storage conditions. Ask workers what they notice.

Take photos and notes so you can compare next year.

Consider asking a neighbor or friend with a farm to do a walk-through with you. Fresh eyes notice problems that become invisible to the person who works there every day. Ask workers to add items that they think are missing. Update contact lists for the fire department, ambulance, poison information, electrician and equipment dealers, and post them in each building.

• Grain handling and storage
• Barns, hay and feed areas
• Shops and exhaust
• Cab filters and seals
• Dust collection equipment
• Respirator storage

What equipment should you check?

Check ventilation fans, dust collection, cab filters, seals, guards and covers according to manufacturer manuals. Replace worn parts. Inspect respirators for damage and replace parts as directed.

Check detectors and alarms such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and replace batteries or units as manufacturers direct.

Decide what you will do about winter closures, such as poorly ventilated barns or fuel heaters. These conditions raise indoor air hazards and deserve a place on the checklist. Photograph problem areas and track them until fixed. Check that your insurer, extension office and OSHA consultation program contact details are current in case you need advice.

What about people and training?

Review who works on the farm, including seasonal and family helpers, and whether each has current training. Plan refreshers before busy seasons. Check on medical evaluations and fit tests for anyone using respirators.

Ask about symptoms and concerns. Encourage health checkups and screenings.

Set a calendar reminder for the same time every year, and record what you did. A simple pattern, repeated, builds a lasting safety habit. Include household and shop areas, not only barns and bins. Look at storage of hay, grain and bedding, and make a plan to keep stored crops dry to limit mold.

What about plans and records?

Update emergency plans, directions to your farm, contact numbers and safety data sheets. Review records of training, maintenance and incidents. Write down changes.

Talk to your local fire department or ambulance service about any changes in access.

At the end of the review, share a short summary with your family and workers. Include what you found, what you will fix and by when. Plan any large repair or purchase early, since contractors and parts may be busy at certain times of year. Revisit your plans for hired and seasonal workers, including orientation, language needs and where to report problems.

How do you prepare for smoke, heat and cold?

Review how you will check air quality, heat and cold alerts through official sources. Decide who has authority to adjust work. Confirm where people can go for cleaner or cooler air.

Check supplies of water, medicines and masks as appropriate, using official guidance for what suits your situation. Share the results with your insurer or extension specialist if they offer feedback. Make a list of training you want to attend this year, and put the dates on the calendar.

How do you set priorities?

You cannot fix everything at once. Choose the highest risks first, such as places where people spend the most time in dust or where a confined space is involved. Write a short list with names and dates.

Ask extension, your insurer or OSHA consultation for help with larger projects. Choose one person to follow through on each action, and check progress at the next family meeting. Decide how you will measure success next year, such as fewer symptoms reported, fewer dust complaints or all workers trained on time.

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