Key hazards and awareness tips
People and bystanders
- Look for coworkers, visitors, or bystanders before starting or moving equipment
- Use eye contact or hand signals when someone is nearby; stop if you lose sight of them
- Never assume others know where you’re going or that they can see you
Children
- Children may unexpectedly enter work areas and are at high risk
- Keep equipment and operation areas child‑free
Animals
- Keep livestock and pets away from equipment paths — animals can move unpredictably or be hidden from view
Buildings, homes, and yards
- Slow down near barns, houses, garages, and blind corners — people and animals may emerge suddenly
- Be especially alert when operating near driveways, pens, and feed areas
Overhead power lines
- Look up before raising loaders, augers, or tall equipment
- Be aware of overhead power lines anytime you move or operate equipment
Ditches, holes, and uneven ground
- Avoid or use extreme caution near ditches, embankments, and holes as they create sudden hazards for equipment and operators
- Scan ahead for washouts, gullies, and soft spots
Low visibility and weather
- Avoid operating in bad weather or low light whenever possible — hazards and people are harder to see
- Use lights, mirrors, and SMV (slow moving vehicle) emblems to stay visible
Final reminders
- Pause, look around, and make sure the area is clear
- A few seconds of awareness can prevent a life-changing incident