4 ways to improve farm safety this National Safety Month

Farming is a tough job. Unpredictable weather, heavy machinery and long hours on rural roads, make it one of the most hazardous jobs in the U.S., according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This is why safety professionals and industry leaders observe National Safety Month. It’s an initiative by the National Safety Council (NSC) focused on preventing injury and saving lives, both at work and beyond.

National Safety Month was established by NSC in 1996 to raise awareness about preventing injuries and deaths, particularly in the workplace. It serves as a call to action for everyone to prioritize safety through education and by understanding the leading hazards that can lead to tragic consequences.

Here’s how you can use this year’s National Safety Month weekly themes to help build a safer, more reliable operation.

Week 1 (June 1-6): Moving safety forward

Safety is never a "set it and forget it" task. Moving safety forward means taking a proactive approach to farm safety and risk management. As farm operations expand, workforces change and equipment upgrades become necessary, so do safety protocols.

This week is about taking a fresh look at your daily routines, onboarding processes and hazard reporting. By prioritizing continuous improvement and ongoing education, everyone in agriculture can empower workers to speak up and take ownership of their environments. This ensures every farm, ranch and agribusiness stays ahead of preventable incidents.

Week 2 (June 7-13): Staying safe on the road

During warmer months, agricultural equipment shares the road with other drivers, dramatically increasing the risk of accidents. Staying safe requires understanding the risks, being prepared and building safe driving habits.

Nationwide’s Drive the 5 program is designed to help teams stay distraction-free, rested and environmentally aware. These “Toolbox Talks” help farmers, ranchers and agribusiness managers lead focused discussions that lead to improvements in overall roadway safety by encouraging teams to recognize risks and adopt safer driving practices:

• Following distances
• Intersections
• Rural road intersections
• Dangers of speeding
• Summer driving
• Proper lane changes

Week 3 (June 14-20): Promoting holistic worker health

Machinery safety guards and personal protective equipment like goggles are often what many think about when they think of farm safety. But true safety should address all aspects of a person's well-being, including physical, mental and emotional health.

Unpredictable weather, market fluctuations and long harvest seasons can take a toll on a farmer's physical and mental well-being. Promoting holistic health means recognizing signs of fatigue, encouraging breaks and removing the stigma around mental health in farming communities. A healthy, supported farmer is a safe farmer.

Week 4 (June 21-30): Preventing slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries. And the varied terrain of a farm, from muddy fields to slippery milking parlors, makes this an ever-present hazard. These incidents can lead to severe injuries and costly downtime.

These guides can help identify and eliminate these types of hazards before they cause harm:

• Slips, trips and falls program guide
• Slips, trips and falls risk-assessment tool
• Host a safety meeting on slips, trips and falls

Build a safe future for your farm, family and workers

At Nationwide, we prioritize keeping agricultural workers safe. During National Safety Month and all year round, we team up with farmers, ranchers and agribusiness managers to achieve one goal: ensuring everyone returns home safely at the end of each day.