Planting and Spraying Safety Checklist

Planting and spraying seasons are busy, tired and rushed, which is when injuries happen. A short checklist used every time keeps the basics from getting skipped.

Key points

Use the same short checklist before every planting or spraying job.
Check ROPS, seat belt, shields, hitch, hoses and lights on every machine.
Shut down and lock out before working on any implement, and block raised parts.
Read the label, wear required protective gear and store chemicals securely.
Check weather, power lines, public-road rules and your emergency plan.

Why use a safety checklist?

Long days, tight weather windows and worn-out crews push people to skip steps. A checklist makes the basics routine. It also helps new workers learn what you expect.

This list is general. Your operator's manuals, product labels and OSHA, NIOSH and extension guidance set the specific rules for your equipment and chemicals.

What should you check on the tractor and implement?

Walk around the tractor and implement before you start. Look at tires, hitch pins and safety chains, hydraulic hoses and fittings, lights and the slow-moving vehicle emblem, and the condition of PTO shields and guards. Confirm the ROPS is in place and the seat belt works, and wear the belt whenever the ROPS is up.

Make sure fire extinguishers, first aid kits and clean water are on board. Never bypass safety switches, shields or interlocks.

ROPS in place and seat belt fastened
PTO shields and guards intact
Hitch pins, chains and tires sound
Hoses and fittings free of leaks and wear
Lights and SMV emblem clean and working
Extinguisher, first aid kit and wash water on board

How do you work safely around PTO and moving parts?

Shut off the tractor, set the brake, take the key and wait for everything to stop before you touch a drill, planter or sprayer. Keep loose clothing, long hair and drawstrings away from shafts and chains. Never step over a turning PTO shaft.

Raised implements and folding wings can drop. Use proper stands or locks and never work under equipment held up by hydraulics alone. Never check hydraulic leaks with your hand, since fluid under pressure can inject through skin. Call a qualified mechanic for hydraulic repairs.

What chemical handling steps belong on the list?

Read the label every time and wear the protective equipment it requires. Mix and load in a ventilated area with wash water and an eyewash bottle at hand. Keep children, pets and bystanders away from mixing and filling. Never leave open product unattended.

Store chemicals in original containers in a locked, dry place away from food, feed and seed. Handle treated seed as its tag directs. Anhydrous ammonia and other hazardous materials need specific training, and applicator licensing rules vary by state.

What weather and field checks matter?

Check wind speed and direction before spraying, and watch for inversions and rain in the forecast. Walk field edges to spot buffers, water, houses, overhead lines and bee yards. Know where power lines cross your fields and keep equipment and booms well clear. Call 811 before any digging or ground-breaking work.

Avoid steep, wet or soft ground where a tractor could roll or get stuck. Slow down on slopes and in headlands.

Wind, inversion and rain check
Buffers and sensitive areas marked
Overhead power lines located
Slopes and wet spots noted

How do you move equipment safely on public roads?

Check lights, SMV emblem, mirrors and folded implement width before leaving the field. Drive slowly, watch for traffic behind you and pull over to let it pass when it is safe. Rules on lighting, marking, speed, width and licensing vary by state, so check with your state DOT, department of motor vehicles, state ag department or highway patrol.

Lock folding parts in transport position and secure tanks and loads. Keep a spotter or helper when backing.

What emergency plan should you have?

Tell someone where you are working and when you expect to finish. Keep a charged phone and a list of emergency numbers, your product labels and your supplier's contact in the cab. Know where the nearest wash water and first aid kit are. Make sure helpers know what to do if someone is hurt or exposed, and when to call emergency services.

Practice the plan once before the busy season. A five-minute talk with your crew about who calls whom and where the wash water is can matter a great deal when something goes wrong.

When to get help: Call a qualified mechanic or dealer service department for hydraulic, brake and structural repairs. Contact your state department of agriculture, DOT or highway patrol for licensing and road rules, and your extension office for training.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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