Working at Farms, feed lots, and feed mills. They are absolutely an "if you know you know" type work place, which can create some risks if that person becomes a new hire! In this episode, Joe and Jen skip right over some of the more "traditional" Hazards and move right to things that make you go "huh."🤔 This was a fun one to make- we hope you guys enjoy it! Full episode summary below:

Key Points:
1. Biosecurity & Industrial Hygiene
Farm safety starts before driving onto the property—biosecurity measures require washing vehicles, showering in/showering out, wearing designated clothing, and sanitizing tools.

2. Safety Challenges in Farming Environments
Hot Work (e.g., welding, grinding) is unique on farms due to open spaces, uncontrollable factors like ventilation, and farm managers (rather than safety officers) issuing permits.
Training is often unrealistic—safety training (e.g., first aid/CPR) is typically taught in an office setting but must be applied in unpredictable farm conditions (e.g., near animals, in extreme weather, in remote locations).
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) issues—farms have stored energy hazards (e.g., augers retaining power), which may not be adequately addressed through standard LOTO procedures.
3. Equipment-Specific Hazards
Leaf blowers pose a unique risk—they can catch long hair or loose clothing, an overlooked danger due to differences in PPE use on farms versus industrial sites.
Tractors and equipment can vary significantly—workers may have to operate multiple brands and models, requiring flexible and adaptable training.
Outdoor work adds risks—workers may be alone, exposed to extreme weather, or using outdated PPE/equipment.
4. Routine Tasks Can Be High-Risk
Pest control, handling chemicals, and general hygiene practices pose hidden risks—workers may unintentionally contaminate themselves (e.g., scratching their nose while wearing contaminated gloves).
People that have been at the faciality for many years may be accustomed to certain risks—they may develop unsafe habits over time due to familiarity with their tasks and environment.
5. Emergency Preparedness & Response
Fires, tornadoes, and medical emergencies require special planning since farms are often rural and lack immediate emergency response access.
During emergencies, animals must also be managed—creating additional logistical and safety concerns.
Returning to normal operations post-emergency is often overlooked—many farm safety plans lack a structured approach for resuming work safely.
6. Housekeeping & Sanitation Differences
Housekeeping expectations vary by farm type—some areas (e.g., mills) must be cobweb-free, while feedlots prioritize biosecurity.
Inspection routines should be tailored to each location—ensuring electrical panels, PPE, and equipment cleanliness meet site-specific safety standards.
Contractors & maintenance personnel need clear guidance—a well-planned inspection and task list can prevent biosecurity risks when bringing in external workers.
7. The Need for Better Training & Documentation
Farm safety programs should be location-specific, as no two farms operate the same way. The training should be accessible at the farm- and not just at the main office.

For more information, they direct listeners to AllenSafetyCoaching.com or Allen-Safety.com websites for training, evaluations, and audits tailored to farm safety.

This video is intended for educational purposes. Solutions offered are not designed to take the place of an attorney or medical professional, and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. It is recommended that viewers consult a safety consultant, medical provider or an occupational safety legal team as applicable to help navigate their specific circumstances.

We've all seen the boiler-plate electrical safe work practice & electrical awareness training. This isn't that. In this episode, we're challenging your program, what's covered in training, who gets training, and even your routine safety inspections to give you a fresh way to view electrical safety at your facility. If this helped you, please support us by liking and sharing the episode and thank you for listening! Full episode description below:

This episode dives deep into common electrical hazards overlooked during inspections and audits, highlighting critical gaps in personal protective equipment (PPE), voltmeter use, and general facility maintenance. By emphasizing real-world scenarios, the hosts discuss how to strengthen electrical safety programs through collaborative efforts with electricians, maintenance and utilities departments. The episode is packed with actionable advice and key insights for improving electrical safety.

Key Points:
1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Gaps:
Improper use of arc flash clothing and untrained staff wearing non-rated clothing.
Specific Concerns: Workers rolling up sleeves, incorrectly washing arc flash clothing, and mismatches in PPE due to gaps in supply and policy oversight.

2. Voltmeter Training and Misuse:
Untrained or insufficiently trained personnel using voltmeters improperly, leading to dangerous arcing incidents.
Training Gaps: Inconsistent policies on who should use voltmeters and when they should check for power.

3. Environmental Hazards in Electrical Rooms:
Water and Corrosion: MCC rooms often have water ingress issues due to poor drainage, condensation, or wet cleanup areas.
Impact: Water and chemical exposure can cause equipment failures and create shock hazards.

4. Dust and Explosive Risks:
Dust accumulation near electrical equipment (e.g., mills, conveyor systems) increases fire risk from ignition sources such as motors, bearings etc.

5. Safety Program Ownership:
Many safety programs are unclear and too vague or overly complex, with safety teams managing areas outside their expertise resulting in programs outlining processes the facility does not actually do.

6. Importance of Accurate Labeling:
Incorrect labeling of electrical panels and disconnects can lead to dangerous situations where hazard levels are misunderstood.

7. Collaborative Risk Assessments:
Engage electricians, maintenance staff, and safety teams in collaborative reviews and risk assessments tailored to specific locations.

Keywords:
Electrical safety hazards
PPE gaps in electrical work
Voltmeter safety training
Lockout/tagout electrical safety
Arc flash protection
MCC room maintenance
Electrical hazard inspections
Housekeeping for electrical safety
Dust explosion prevention
Industrial electrical safety program

This video is intended for educational purposes. Solutions offered are not designed to take the place of an attorney or medical professional, and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. It is recommended that viewers consult a safety consultant, medical provider or an occupational safety legal team as applicable to help navigate their specific circumstances.

Specific job tasks shown are being completed by trained professionals, and should not be attempted without proper training and equipment under the supervision of a professional. Viewer discretion is advised.

Where will the top safety risks and threats fall in 2025? Joe and Jen throw out their predictions for 2025. Let us know in the comments what your predictions are!

1. The Continuation of Key 2024 Trends into 2025
The episode kicks off with a reflection on 2024’s biggest safety and compliance trends, including the growing complexity of safety protocols and the rise of multi-stakeholder involvement in documentation.
Predictions for 2025 include heightened emphasis on process ownership and the need for more specialized training amidst rising turnover rates.

2. Who Should Be Signing Off on Safety Documents?
Understanding Documentation Responsibility: The discussion highlights the challenges of ensuring that the right individuals are signing critical documents like PSM protocols, environmental safety validations, and lockout/tagout procedures.
Role-Based Validation: Different documents require different expertise.

3. The Importance of Qualifications and Expertise
The team stresses the need for honesty in evaluating one’s qualifications. Managers and employees alike must assess their ability to handle specific responsibilities, from evaluating tie-off points for elevated work to managing ammonia refrigeration systems.
They discuss scenarios where managers are assigned tasks outside their expertise, highlighting the risks of improper sign-offs and the need for ongoing technical training.

4. Addressing the Experience and Training Gap
As turnover rates rise and companies promote from within, a critical gap in industry-specific knowledge is emerging.

5. Process Safety Management (PSM) Challenges
The conversation touches on the growing complexity of PSM responsibilities and the struggle to assign ownership.
Many organizations are stretched thin, with roles like safety, environmental, and even HR managers taking on PSM duties without sufficient training.
The hosts emphasize the need for subject matter experts (SMEs) who understand the technical aspects of systems like thermodynamics and leak mitigation.

6. Why Document Signatures Matter
Signing off on a document is more than just an administrative step—it signifies ownership, responsibility, and accountability for safety and compliance.

7. Practical Solutions for Safety Challenges in 2025
The episode closes with practical advice for organizations facing these challenges:

Conduct evaluations of education and baseline knowledge to ensure the right people are signing critical documents. Develop training plans for onboarding.

Utilize personnel at sister plants, or location subject matter experts to help fill in knowledge gaps.

Call to Action:
This episode is packed with practical insights for professionals navigating the dynamic safety and regulatory challenges of 2025. For tailored support, visit AllenSafety.com or AllenSafetyCoaching.com to explore on-site evaluations and training options or access over 100 lessons on Allen Safety’s virtual coaching platform. If this episode was helpful, please like, subscribe, and share to help others stay informed and improve workplace safety!

This video is intended for educational purposes. Solutions offered are not designed to take the place of an attorney or medical professional, and should not be taken as legal or medical advice. It is recommended that viewers consult a safety consultant, medical provider or an occupational safety legal team as applicable to help navigate their specific circumstances.