Penn State safety specialist Malcolm Legault says seeking out hazards on a farm is easy once you know what to look for. As coauthor of Agricultural Safety and Health Best Management Practices, Legault offers some tips on spotting and avoiding hazardous situations.

1. A tractor without rollover protection and a seatbelt is an accident waiting to happen. Simple two-post rollbars or four-post roll cages, used in conjunction with seatbelts, could eliminate many farm fatalities each year.
2. The power take-off (PTO) shaft stub on the rear of a tractor drives the PTO shaft by spinning at high speed. A metal master shield should surround the rotating stub.
3. PTO drivelines, the long rotating shafts that drive attached equipment, should have a metal or plastic shield along the length of the shaft to prevent clothing or limbs from being snagged.
4. V-belt or chain gear drives should be covered or enclosed by a metal guard to prevent snagging clothing or limbs.
5. All tractors and farm buildings should have wall-mounted, multipurpose-type fire extinguishers that are easily accessible and fully charged. In buildings, place an extinguisher on each floor.
6. Ladders on silos or other bin-type storage units should be securely fastened to the structure. The ladder should have an encircling cage to prevent climbers from falling backward if the height is greater than 20 feet. For greater heights, there should be an offset landing every 30 feet.
7. Pesticides should be stored in a locked shed or room that has adequate ventilation.
8. Any manure storage facility, such as a pond or slurry pit, should be fenced and have warning signs posted.
9. Tractors should have working headlights, reflective rear lights, a functional rear work light, and a prominently displayed slow-moving vehicle sign.
10. Never leave a tractor or machinery running when attempting to clear an obstruction or fix a problem.