Tag: tips

Farming Safely in the Heat

The heat of summer can be a busy time for many farming and ranching operations. As you work in the heat and sun, follow these heat safety tips to help ward off heat-related illnesses and injuries for you and your team. Farming and ranching are important, and we want to help you stay safe doing what you do best.

Wear Protective Clothing

When working outdoors in warm climates, OSHA recommends wearing light-colored, loose-fitting and breathable clothing. Additionally, covering up by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants can help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. Wearing a wide-brim hat and sunglasses that block 99% to 100% UVA and UVB radiation could also protect your face and eyes while working. 

Take Breaks

Taking 15-minute breaks in a cool, shady area at least every two hours while working can help decrease the risk of heat-related illness and fatigue. You could use an outbuilding nearby or the air-conditioned cab of your truck. It could also be helpful to schedule strenuous and demanding tasks in the early morning hours or late evening hours, when the temperature isn’t at its hottest. 

Don’t Forget to Fuel-up

Remember to take time during your workday to drink water and eat sustaining foods/snacks. The CDC recommends drinking one cup of water for every 15 to 20 minutes of moderate activity. Ensuring you’re hydrated throughout the day could lower your risk of heat exhaustion, and it can power you up to continue safely getting work done. As for snacks, consider having fresh fruits, vegetables and salted items to help boost energy and balance electrolytes. 

Know the Symptoms

It is important to know the symptoms and warning signs of heat-related illnesses. You should seek medical attention if you or one of your employees are experiencing these symptoms:

  • Heat exhaustion: This occurs when the body is becoming dehydrated. Some symptoms include profuse sweating, shallow breathing, muscle cramps, irritability, feeling faint or dizzy.
  • Heatstroke: This occurs when the body cannot control its internal temperature and is unable to cool down. Some symptoms include the absence of sweating, pulsating headache, difficulty breathing, lethargy, lack of coordination, unconsciousness, nausea or vomiting.

While you’re working hard and looking out for the health of you and your team by using these heat safety tips, we can help by providing coverage for your farm or ranch. Let us take care of the unexpected and help protect your livelihood with our Farm & Ranch Insurance.

Contact an OKFB agent to discuss your farm and ranch needs.

The Basics: Farm & Ranch Insurance

A farm or ranch isn’t like a typical nine-to-five business. Because of this, we offer many options to cover your needs. Farm & ranch lines of coverage are detailed and flexible, so you can get covered for certain things like a farm fire, leasing property, constructing a new farm and more. To begin, here are four lines of coverage that you may want to learn more about!

Our farm & ranch line covers items from farm buildings and structures to employer’s liability and animal collision. The policy can also cover things like farm personal property, dwelling, and personal liability. There are multiple coverage options and features available under this policy that are customizable to fit your needs. 

Farm Liability

Farm Liability coverage helps protect you from financial loss if accidents occur on your farm. This includes protection for bodily injury or property damage for which you may be held responsible. It’s especially important if visitors, customers, or delivery personnel come onto your property. Since accidents are inevitable in agriculture, liability coverage is crucial to safeguard your operation and your financial well-being.

Farm Implement

While a Farm & Ranch policy may cover machinery, equipment, supplies, and other property-owned materials, Farm Implement coverage focuses on loss or physical damage to farm implements themselves. This includes combines, hay balers, cotton pickers, plows, seed drills, planters, and more. It also provides liability coverage in case of claims or lawsuits. By insuring your tools and equipment, you’re protecting the success of your daily operations.

Farm Auto (Including Tractors and Trailers)

Your vehicles are essential to life on the farm. Regular auto insurance doesn’t typically cover farm-use vehicles, which is why Farm Auto coverage is so important. It covers vehicles like pickup trucks, farm truck tractors, trailers, and other farm-use equipment. Just like driving a personal car, accidents can happen on the job — and this policy can protect you against collisions, damages, and liability. With flexible options like comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage, you can adjust your policy to meet the exact needs of your operation.

Crop

No matter what crops you grow, protecting them is vital. Crop Insurance covers losses due to unpredictable events such as hailstorms, tornados, pests, disease, or other covered perils. Like Farm & Ranch coverage, Crop Insurance is flexible and detailed, with options that include livestock risk protection, nursery coverage, and annual forage. With this coverage, you can plant and harvest with confidence, knowing your investment is safeguarded.

4-H and FAA Insurance

For ranchers and families involved in 4-H and FFA activities, specialized coverage is available. This protects the assets and activities tied to these programs, helping support young ranchers as they pursue their agricultural passions. Supporting the next generation is an important step in ensuring the sustainability of farming and ranching.

Check out our farm and ranch FAQ’s to learn more about our insurance coverage options. Ensure your farm or ranch has the protection it needs by contacting an agent.