Home / Planning / Farm Safety Equipment Checklist

Farm Safety Equipment Checklist

A farm should have the right safety equipment in the right places, in working order. This checklist lists categories and leaves specifics to the official sources and manuals.

How should you use this checklist?

Treat it as a prompt, not a purchase list. Walk the farm with it, note what you have, where it is, what condition it is in and what is missing. Then decide what to buy or repair based on your own hazards.

This article does not state quantities, ratings or specifications. For those, consult the manufacturer manuals, OSHA, NIOSH, NFPA, the Red Cross and your local fire department.

Update the checklist when your farm changes, such as new animals, a new building or a new type of work, so that it always reflects what you really do.

• Walk the farm with the list.
• Note what you have, where and its condition.
• Decide what to buy based on your hazards.

What emergency equipment belongs on the farm?

Include first aid kits, fire extinguishers suited to the hazards, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in buildings where people sleep or work, flashlights, and a way to call for help in every work area. Post emergency numbers and directions at the house, shop and in vehicles.

Ask your local fire department to advise on extinguisher types and placement, and follow NFPA and manufacturer guidance.

Walk the house and shop with a child's eye view as well. Anything within reach that should not be should be moved or secured.

• First aid kits.
• Fire extinguishers suited to the hazards.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Flashlights and backup power for lights.
• Posted emergency numbers and directions.

What about personal protective equipment?

Typical categories include eye and face protection, hearing protection, gloves, boots, respirators, head protection, high-visibility clothing and life jackets. The right type depends on the job and the hazard, so check the product label, the manual and OSHA or NIOSH guidance.

Respirators need correct selection, fit and training, and are not a substitute for ventilation or other controls. Ask OSHA or a qualified professional before relying on one.

Check that equipment fits each person, is clean, undamaged and stored where it can be found.

• Eye and face protection.
• Hearing protection.
• Gloves, boots and head protection.
• Respirators with proper fit and training.
• High-visibility clothing and life jackets.

What equipment protects machinery work?

Check that guards, shields, safety switches, shutoffs, rollover protection and seat belts where fitted are in place and working, as the manufacturer manual describes. Never remove or bypass them. Keep manuals with the equipment and read them.

Include reflective markings, lights and slow moving vehicle emblems on equipment used on roads, and follow your state's rules, which vary.

Look at the condition of each guard, not just whether it is present. A cracked or loose guard may not protect.

• Guards and shields in place.
• Safety switches and shutoffs working.
• Manuals kept with the equipment.
• Lights and reflective markings for road use.

What about water, animal and storage safety?

Around water, consider fences, gates, signs, rescue aids and approved life jackets. For animals, consider sturdy handling facilities, gates and escape routes. For storage, consider ladders, lifts, labeled containers, spill kits and ventilation as the labels direct.

Ask extension or a qualified professional about the right equipment for confined spaces and grain handling, and do not enter these spaces without training.

Review how animals and people move through each space and check that exits are clear.

How do you keep a record?

Create a simple list with the item, location, condition, date checked and the next check or replacement date. Include expiration dates for items such as extinguishers or first aid supplies and follow the maker's instructions.

Review the list at least once a year and after any incident. Replace and repair promptly.

Set reminders on a phone or wall calendar for expiration and replacement dates so that nothing is missed.

• Item and location.
• Condition and date checked.
• Next check or replacement date.

Who should know where everything is?

Show every person on the farm where the equipment is kept and how to use it, especially first aid and fire equipment. Include seasonal workers and teens. Consider hands-on training from the fire department or Red Cross.

In an emergency, call 911 first, and use equipment only as you have been trained.

Make a habit of checking equipment before each season begins, so that missing or damaged items are found early.

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