Focusing on Farm Safety

An Ounce of Prevention
Randy Van Bakel, Loss Prevention Representative, U&H

With Farmers hitting the roads and fields this Spring and Summer, our U&H May Blog focuses on Farm Insurance.

It can be hard to live a carefree farm life when there are so many dangers around us but with the proper precautions, it is not impossible.

Farm work often involves heavy equipment that uses electricity or is used around power lines.  Barns use electricity for heating and lighting and if not properly maintained, can cause problems.

While your farm insurance will be there as a safety net in the event of the worst-case scenarios, it is important to make sure that you know how to use and repair your equipment safely because prevention is the best and first line of defence.

Possible Electrical Dangers on the Farm

Many dangers in and around the farm can cause a lot of damage up to and including loss of life if you are not careful.

Some examples of these are:

• Barn electrical fires
• Power line issues

Barn fires can be caused by a lack of maintenance on electrical panels that end up corroded and cause sparks that catch hay and dry wood nearby.

Farm Electrical Safety and Prevention

Barn fires:

In a publication by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, it mentions that regular maintenance of electrical panels including making sure that they stay up to code, are essential steps to preventing barn fires.

Understanding that the environment in a barn is much different than in a clean, dry house is imperative to being able to anticipate any issues that may arise.

• Check for damaged wires and replace them.
• Check for corrosion and hire an electrician to fix any issues.
• Check for flammable materials and move them a safe distance from anything that could ignite them.

Power line issues:

Power lines can be found above and below the ground which makes them doubly dangerous. Hydro says that farmers need to be aware of where they are digging before they start to make sure they are not hitting things that they shouldn’t be. Make sure to check the Underground Locates page through Hydro One to ascertain if where you are digging is safe.

On the top of that, they need to make sure that their equipment is not hitting power lines while they are working in the fields. Being aware of your surroundings is a necessity when working in and around high-voltage wires.

• Stay clear of overhead power lines.
• Call a professional to clear any tree limbs or brush from near live wires.
• Do not raise irrigation pipes without being aware of the proximity of power lines.

Insurance for Farmers

Farmers’ insurance is a necessity, not only because it can be dangerous, but most farmers are also self-employed which requires an extra level of protection in case of injury or worse.

We, at U&H can provide you with the farm insurance coverage that you need for you and your family to feel secure.

Farmers are the backbone of our communities and without them we would have no fresh food on the shelves of our markets and grocery stores.

It is so important for everyone, including non-farmers, to be aware of the dangers in the everyday duties on the farm and take the proper precautions.

Insurance for farmers helps to provide a safeguard in case of an emergency, so be sure to contact us if you have any questions about which type of farming insurance is right for you.