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Manure Storage Safety

Manure storage can be a pit, tank, lagoon or pond, and each one carries its own hazards. This guide describes them in general terms and points to official sources.

What kinds of storage are there?

Farms use below-barn pits, outdoor tanks, earthen basins, lagoons and other systems. The hazards differ somewhat, but gas, falls and drowning are common themes.

Ask your extension office about the guidance for the type of storage on your farm.

Even a long-used system can change as the pit fills, as weather changes and as the farm grows. Older systems may have lids, grates or access points that have weakened over time, so look at them with fresh eyes.

• Pits below barns
• Outdoor tanks
• Earthen basins and lagoons
• Ponds and other systems

What are the gas hazards?

Decomposing manure releases gases that can be dangerous, especially in or near enclosed spaces and during agitation. See the guide on manure pit entry for more.

Extension services and the National Agricultural Safety Database publish farm-specific information about manure gases and when risk is highest.

A building over a pit is a place where two hazards meet, since people and animals are close to a gas source. A pit under a barn can send gas into animal areas, which is why animals sometimes show signs of trouble first.

• Do not enter the building if you suspect gas
• Call for help from a safe place

What about drowning and falls?

Open storage can be deceptive. A crust can form on a lagoon or pit surface and look like solid ground. Banks can be slippery or soft. People and animals can fall in, and getting out is very difficult.

Fence open storage, post warnings and keep children and visitors away. For rescue, call 911 and do not enter.

Never walk on a crusted surface. Do not trust ice, either. People can drown in even shallow liquid manure, and rescue is very difficult. Treat every open storage as a drowning hazard.

• Fences
• Warning signs
• No walking on crusts or banks
• Keep children away
• Older lids and grates can weaken
• Snow and ice hide edges

How should equipment be handled?

Pumps, agitators and power take-off shafts around manure storage have entanglement and electrical hazards. Guards should be in place, and equipment should be locked out before service.

Follow manufacturers' instructions and see related guides on PTO and lockout safety.

Record the lockout steps for each pump so that new workers do not have to guess. Overhead power lines, damaged cords and wet conditions near pumps raise the chance of electrical injury. Ask a licensed electrician about wiring around storage.

• Guards on pump and PTO shafts
• No work near live power lines
• Lock out before service

How should the farm plan for agitation and cleanout?

Agitation and cleanout are the periods of highest risk. Plan them with attention to weather, ventilation, who will be on site and where animals and people will be.

Official extension guidance describes what precautions fit your system. Do not improvise.

Monitoring the weather forecast and wind can help in planning outdoor agitation. Wait for official guidance about when it is safe to return to a barn after agitation, and keep people and animals out until then.

• Agitation days carry the most risk
• Cleanout days carry the most risk too

What about contractors and custom applicators?

Many farms hire custom haulers and applicators. Talk about safety with them before the work and make sure that they understand your layout, hazards and emergency plan.

Do not recommend or choose contractors on price alone. Ask about their training and experience, and confirm any legal requirements in your state.

Share your emergency plan with them and ask about theirs. Share your layout map and emergency numbers with them in advance, and walk the site together before the work begins.

• Training and experience
• Emergency plans
• Local rules

Where can you learn more?

University extension programs, NIOSH, OSHA and agricultural safety groups publish materials about manure storage safety. Local agencies may also regulate storage design and use.

Rules differ by state and county, so confirm with the relevant agency. In an emergency call 911.

Your state agriculture or environmental agency can tell you about permits and plans. Local fire and rescue crews appreciate a visit to see where your storage is and how to reach it in an emergency.

• Extension programs
• NIOSH and OSHA
• State agriculture or environmental agency

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