Farm and Field (Crops) Equipment Safety
Work in agriculture and agricultural research involves the use of traditional and specialized equipment – from tractors, planters, sprayers and full-sized combines to straw choppers, feed carts and plot-sized field equipment designed for calibration or sampling during feeding, planting or harvest. Prior to using such equipment, operators and assistants must be trained to safe work procedures, be familiar with the manufacturer’s operating manual along with the need and use of any required personal protective equipment.
Supervisors involved in field research studies or at agricultural research facilities are responsible for developing safe work procedures, arranging for workplace-specific training and maintaining records of training, including the safe use of farm and field equipment used by their teams.
This webpage includes a collection of U of G tools and guidance on equipment safety training and other resources related to farming practices. It is intended to provide departments with general direction on developing or improving upon their own workplace-specific training practices and procedures.
Training Tools: Equipment SOPs, Hazard Assessment and Records
- SOP Template - Field Equipment
- UofG Farm Equipment Hazard Assessment
- Group Training - Attendance
- Worker Equipment sign-off training record
Related Programs and Guidelines
- Link to – Accidents involving Farm and Heavy Equipment on Public Roads
- Link to - Farm, Heavy Equipment and Utility Vehicles Program
- Link to – Lift Truck Program
- Link to – Machine Shop Safety Program
- Link to – Material Handling and Loading Dock Safety
Additional Resources and Weblinks
- Farm Guide - Farm Equipment on Ontario's Highways (MTO)
- Farm Implements on the Road (Ontario Federation of Agriculture)
- Highway Traffic Act and regulations (e-laws)
- Safe Hitching and Hauling toolbox talk (CASA)
- Safe Implement Hitching: A Guide for Safe Connection of Agricultural Tractors to Implements (CASA)
- Tractor Operator Skills and Competency Checklist (CASA)
- Tractors on the Road - Factsheet
- Tractor Pre-use Inspection Checklist (CASA)