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Annual Water Safety Review

Once a year, step back and look at the whole picture of water safety on the farm. A review ties inspections, training and rules together and sets direction for the next season.

Why do an annual review?

Day-to-day inspections catch small problems. An annual review looks at the bigger questions: has anything changed, are the rules still right and are the people on the farm prepared? Farms change as families grow, workers come and go and equipment and uses shift.

Choose a regular time, such as late winter before the water season, and put it on the calendar. A fixed date makes it more likely to happen.

A review is also a good moment to thank people for their efforts. Recognition keeps motivation up and makes safety a shared pride.

• Choose a fixed month and put it on the calendar.
• Invite family, workers and an outside visitor.
• Keep notes that next year's review can use.

What should you look back on?

Start with the past year. Review inspection records, near misses, repairs and any incidents. Ask what went well and what did not. Gather input from family and workers.

Look for patterns. Was the same fence repaired repeatedly? Did people forget to close a gate? Patterns point to causes that can be fixed.

Write down the answers to simple questions: what changed, what surprised us, what would we do differently? Short notes are enough.

• Inspection records and repair logs.
• Near misses and what was learned.
• Changes in people, buildings and water use.
• Feedback from family and workers.
• Compare this year's water site map with last year's.

How do you walk the sites?

Take the inventory and walk every water site with fresh eyes, ideally with another person. Check fences, signs, covers, rescue aids and first aid kits, and look at the paths people use.

Update the map of water hazards and the emergency directions. Take new photographs. Note anything that has changed, such as new buildings, erosion or neighbors' activity.

Check that rescue aids and first aid kits are stocked and easy to find, and replace anything damaged or out of date.

What about people and training?

List everyone who lives, works or visits regularly and check their training. Plan first aid, CPR and water safety courses from recognized providers. Schedule new worker orientation and refreshers.

Talk with children and teens about the rules, and update them for their age. Ask whether they have questions or have noticed hazards.

Include contractors and regular visitors, since they may be on the property near water without knowing the rules.

• List everyone who works or visits regularly.
• Schedule first aid and CPR courses.
• Plan new worker orientation before the season starts.

How do you update the plan?

Revise your written plan with what you learned: new signs, repairs, rule changes, updated contact numbers and directions. Make sure it is clear who is responsible for each task and the date it is due.

Share the updated plan with everyone and post key items where they will be seen. Send updated directions to your 911 dispatch center if it accepts them, and review insurance as well.

Keep the earlier version of the plan in a folder. Seeing how it has grown over the years is a reminder of the progress made and the lessons learned.

• Update emergency directions and contact numbers.
• Assign a name and date to every task.
• Share the plan with everyone and post key items.

How do you set goals for the coming year?

Pick a few specific goals, such as fencing a particular site, completing a course for certain people or replacing worn equipment. Choose a small number that can be done, and set dates.

Budget for the work and look at official resources for support. Ask your extension office or USDA service center about programs that may be available, and confirm details with them.

Share the goals with the family so that everyone knows what the farm is working toward and can help.

• Pick a few goals that can really be done.
• Give each goal a date and a person.
• Check progress at the half-year mark.

Who can help?

Invite your extension agent, a fire department representative or a trusted neighbor to join the review. An outside view often notices what the owner no longer sees.

Keep the review friendly and practical. The goal is a safer farm, not a perfect report.

Store the review in the same place as your safety plan so that next year's review can start from it.

• Extension agent or educator.
• Local fire department representative.
• A neighbor with fresh eyes.

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