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Spring Farm Safety Checklist

Spring starts fast, and the pressure to get into the field can crowd out basic checks. This checklist helps you slow down for a few minutes where it counts.

What should you check on machinery before spring work?

Machines that sat all winter may have worn belts, cracked hoses, loose fasteners, missing guards or damaged lights. Go through each one using the operator's manual and the manufacturer's service schedule, and do not assume it is fine because it ran at the end of last season.

Test brakes, steering, lights, hitches and safety devices at low speed in an open area before heading to the road or field. Anything that is not working goes to repair first.

Also check the road-going parts. Spring means moving equipment between fields on public roads, so confirm that lighting, marking and hitching meet your state's rules, which your state department of transportation can explain.

• Confirm all guards and shields are in place
• Check tires, hitches, pins and lights
• Look for fluid leaks and worn hoses
• Make sure slow-moving vehicle emblems are clean and visible
• Keep manuals where operators can reach them

How do wet, soft ground and runoff change the risks?

Spring fields and lanes can be slick, rutted and unstable. Tractors and other vehicles can slip or tip on slopes, banks and ditches that are firm in other seasons. Be cautious near ponds, streams and flooded areas.

Slow down, plan routes ahead and avoid ground you are unsure about. If you are unsure whether a bank or ditch edge can hold a machine, treat it as unsafe and work around it.

Ponds and ditches swollen with melt and rain are a drowning hazard for children and a trap for vehicles. Talk with family about which areas are off limits and keep gates and fences in repair.

How do you bring new and returning workers up to speed?

Spring is when many farms add seasonal help. Even experienced workers need to learn your layout, your machines and your rules. Show each person the task, watch them do it, and correct problems kindly and right away.

Never hand a new worker a job that needs training they have not had. For anyone under 18, check the U.S. Department of Labor and your state labor agency about which tasks are allowed.

Pair each new worker with an experienced person for the first days. Encourage questions, and make clear that stopping to ask is always the right choice.

What should you do about livestock and young animals?

Animals with young can be protective and unpredictable. Plan handling areas, gates and escape routes before you need them, and keep children out of pens and pastures with new mothers.

Wash hands after contact with animals and manure, and talk to your veterinarian and local health department about illnesses that can pass between animals and people.

Keep medical and vaccination information current for people who handle animals, and ask your doctor or local health department what applies to you.

How should you store and handle chemicals this season?

Spring is a common time for fertilizers, pesticides and fuel to come out of storage. Read the product label and safety data sheet each time, because labels change and the label is the legal and safety authority for that product.

Keep chemicals in labeled original containers, locked away from children and animals. Ask your state agriculture department or extension office about applicator training and any certification you need.

Never mix chemicals or move them into food or drink containers. Tell everyone where chemicals are stored and what to do if there is a spill, using the label and safety data sheet as the guide.

How do you keep children and visitors safe during the rush?

Busy adults are distracted adults. Decide who is watching children before work begins and give kids a safe, fenced place to play and an adult responsible for them.

Make clear rules that children do not ride on equipment, do not enter work areas and do not approach running machines. Agree on these rules before the first day in the field.

Consider a simple check-in routine: each person tells another adult where they are going and when they will be back. It takes seconds and gives you a starting point if something goes wrong.

What about fatigue, weather and communication?

Long days and short sleep slow reaction time and judgment. Build in breaks, food and water, and agree that anyone can say they are too tired to do a task.

Check the forecast with the National Weather Service before field work, and tell someone where you will be and when you expect to finish. Spring storms can arrive quickly.

Keep a first aid kit stocked on the farm and in the larger vehicles, and replace what you use. Red Cross first aid and CPR courses teach people how to use it.

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