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Contractor Safety on Farms

When outside contractors come to the farm, whether for electrical work, construction, hauling or custom field work, both sides need to know the hazards and the plan before work starts.

Why does contractor safety need attention?

Contractors are experts in their trade, but not in your farm. They may not know where overhead lines, buried utilities, animals, soft ground or stored grain are located. Your workers, in turn, may not know what the contractor is about to do.

Work done side by side without communication is a common source of close calls. A little planning removes much of that risk.

Treat the contractor as a partner in safety, not just a supplier.

What should you ask before hiring?

Ask about the contractor's safety practices, training and incident history in general terms. Ask for proof of insurance and any licenses that apply to the work. What is required depends on the trade, your state and your local rules, so confirm with the relevant state licensing agency and your insurance carrier.

Do not recommend or endorse a particular company. Compare options and check references from other farms.

Ask the contractor to share their own job plan, particularly where the work may affect utilities, animals or your crew. Review it together and note any conflicts with farm activities.

• Proof of insurance and licenses suitable for the work.
• How the contractor trains and supervises their own crew.
• What equipment will be brought, and how it will be used on your site.
• Plans for traffic, parking and staging materials.
• Who will be on site and who is in charge.

What hazard information should you share?

Walk the work area with the contractor before work starts. Point out overhead and buried utilities, fuel and chemical storage, areas with animals, soft or uneven ground, structures with weak points, and any places that are off limits. Share your emergency plan and the farm's location description.

Tell the contractor about any past incidents or known problems in the area. Ask what hazards their work will create for your crew, such as noise, dust, traffic, hot work or equipment swinging overhead.

Make a point of introducing the contractor's lead to your crew, and make sure your workers know who to ask if they have questions about the job.

How do you agree on who does what?

Put the plan in writing, including the scope of work, who is responsible for each safety measure, how to communicate and who has authority to stop work. Consider advice from your insurer or an adviser on contracts. Responsibilities and liability can be complicated and differ by state.

Do not assume that the contractor will handle everything, or that you can step back entirely. Both parties have roles.

For work near overhead or buried utilities, contact the utility owners and any local call-before-you-dig service as required where you live. Confirm the process with your state or local authorities rather than relying on memory.

How do you keep your own workers and family safe?

Keep children, visitors and untrained workers out of the contractor's work area. Set boundaries and let your crew know what is happening. Do not ask workers to join a contractor's job without proper training and agreement.

Be aware of how your own work might affect the contractor. If a spray application, harvest or livestock movement is planned nearby, tell the contractor and adjust the schedule.

If the contractor brings workers who speak another language, agree on how safety information will be communicated, and share your emergency details in a form they can read.

What should happen during and after the work?

Check in daily. Ask about hazards or changes. If something unsafe is seen, stop and talk. At the end, inspect the area, make sure equipment and materials are removed and any new hazards, such as open trenches or exposed wires, are made safe or clearly marked and reported.

Debrief after the job. Note what went well and what you would change. If there was an injury or a close call, record it.

Keep a list of contractors who have worked well on your farm, and note what made the arrangement safe, so that you can use the same approach again.

Where can you get more information?

OSHA, your state occupational safety agency and your insurance carrier can explain responsibilities when more than one employer shares a work site. Some situations involve special rules. Do not guess. Check with the official body before the work begins.

For emergencies during the job, call 911.

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