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Farm Operations, Facilities & EquipmentFarm Vehicle Safety Checklist
Farm vehicles work on rough ground, on public roads and around people and animals. A short, repeatable checklist covers most of the risks.
Key points
- Walk around every vehicle before use.
- Use seat belts and rollover protection, and never carry riders on fenders or hitches.
- Load within ratings and secure everything.
- Check behind you before backing and keep children out of work areas.
- Follow state road rules and keep fire and first aid gear ready.
Why a vehicle checklist matters
Dairy farms use pickup trucks, utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, tractors and feed trucks every day. Each has its own hazards: rollovers, collisions on public roads, run-overs and loose loads. A checklist keeps the basics from being skipped when everyone is busy.
Post one near the keys or fuel station and make it part of how the farm runs.
Update the checklist whenever you add a new vehicle or attachment, so it matches the machines you actually use. Review it with the crew a couple of times a year.
Pre-trip walk-around
Check tires, lights, brakes, steering and mirrors. Look under the vehicle for leaks. Make sure the horn and backup alarm work. Clear the windshield and remove loose items from the cab. Check that hitches, chains and pins are secure and rated for the load.
On a tractor, confirm the rollover protective structure is in place and the seat belt works. Replace damaged parts rather than relying on patches.
Use a short written form, a laminated card or a phone note. The method does not matter as long as the check is done before the first trip of the day and issues are reported right away. Report any defect to the person who handles repairs and tag the vehicle out of service if the problem affects brakes, steering, lights or restraints.
- Tires, wheels and lug nuts
- Brakes, steering and horn
- Lights, reflectors and slow-moving vehicle emblem where required
- Hitch, pin and safety chain
- Seat belts and rollover protection
Driver rules
Only trained and authorized people should drive farm vehicles. Follow local licensing and age rules and ask your extension office or OSHA for guidance. Everyone uses a seat belt where one is fitted, and nobody rides in a bed, on a fender or on a hitch.
Do not drive when tired, rushed or distracted. Put the phone away. Slow down on wet ground, hills and rough tracks.
Set clear rules for visitors, delivery drivers and children on the farm. Tell them where to park, where to walk and which areas are off limits to everyone on foot.
Loading and towing
Load evenly and within the manufacturer's rating. Tie down loads that could shift. For towing, match the trailer hitch, ball and brakes to the weight and use safety chains.
Do not stand between a vehicle and a trailer when someone else is moving it, and use the parking brake before hitching or unhitching.
Check the rating of the hitch, the ball and the trailer before towing. Many incidents begin with a trailer that is heavier than the vehicle or hitch can safely handle. Ask your dealer if you are unsure.
Working near animals and people
Check the space behind and around the vehicle before backing. Use a spotter in tight places. Keep children away from the work zone, and do not let them play near parked vehicles or in the cab.
Move slowly around cattle and keep the vehicle away from calf pens and the parlor entry. A frightened animal can run into the path of a vehicle.
Keep a clear view when moving. Walk around the vehicle before you enter, and keep the windows and mirrors clean. If you cannot see behind you, get out and look or ask for a spotter.
On public roads
Know the rules for moving farm equipment on roads in your state. Use lights and signs where the law requires them, keep to the right, and pull over when it is safe to let traffic pass. Plan routes to avoid heavy traffic and narrow bridges where you can.
Check with your state department of transportation or your extension office about local requirements.
Be especially careful at dawn, dusk and in poor weather, when drivers on the road have trouble seeing farm equipment. Clean lights and reflectors before each trip.
Fuel, fire and emergency readiness
Refuel with the engine off and away from sparks. Keep a fire extinguisher in vehicles and the shop. Store fuel safely, and carry a first aid kit and a phone. Teach everyone where to find them.
Agree on an emergency plan: who to call, how to describe the farm location, and where emergency vehicles can enter.
Run a short drill once a year so everyone knows what to do if a vehicle rolls, a person is pinned or a fire starts. Knowing the steps ahead of time saves precious minutes.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.