5 Ways to Maintain Safe Air Quality on Your Farm

To an outsider, the air quality in rural areas may seem ideal. After all, cities tend to grab headlines about air pollution. But farmers and ranchers know that air quality isn’t always optimal in their workplaces. 

Farming can expose workers to pollutants that may have long-term negative effects on their health. They can cause respiratory problems, trigger asthma attacks or lead to heart attacks. 

Pollutants can also affect livestock, crop yields and soil quality, and can mean you need to use more pesticides and fertilizers.

Here's how to protect your team and your farm from the dangers of poor air quality. 

1. Monitor Air Quality

Monitors can identify where and when air quality is bad, so you know where you need to make changes. They can measure particulates, odors, emissions and pollutants. You may be able to include air quality monitoring as part of a system that also measures temperature, humidity and wind. 

2. Consider Sniffers

Wearable, portable air quality monitors can measure pollutants and dangerous substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as temperature, humidity and air pressure. These devices can identify problematic areas on your farm and ranch. They may also alert workers when extreme heat or cold could put their health at risk.

You may be able to combine this data with data from plant monitors to determine how air quality may be affecting crops.

3. Use Fans and Vents

Depending on your space, you may need fans, vents or both. Fans mainly circulate air within an enclosed space to help keep animals and products cool and to keep pockets of pollutants from building up in certain spaces. Vents pull air from indoors and release it outside to remove heat and pollutants.

You can strategically place multiple fans to cover a large area and multiple vents for optimal pollution reduction. 

4. Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that’s released when you burn fuels that contain carbon, such as wood, gasoline or natural gas. It can build up in enclosed spaces, especially when there’s not adequate ventilation. 

Breathing in carbon monoxide can cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. Without fresh air, it can quickly lead to death.

You’ll want to install carbon monoxide detectors in any enclosed work areas where equipment or appliances use fuels that contain carbon. In addition, be sure to train your workers not to run tractors or other vehicles inside a barn or garage with the doors closed.

5. Don’t Overlook Rental and Employee Housing

You’ll want to ensure that your workers live in spaces that are protected by smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors. Depending on the location, farm workers’ homes may also be exposed to contaminants like pollutants, dried manure, gases and dander or feathers. 

You’ll want to check for any dangerous substances and incorporate cleaning protocols and ventilation to be sure your workers are safe from harm in their homes.

Make Sure Your Farm or Ranch Is Protected

Air quality isn’t the only risk for your workers and your livelihood. You’ll want to protect your farm from a range of hazards. Whether you need coverage for crops, livestock, horses, vehicles or more, Farm Bureau has the farm and ranch insurance you need. Reach out to an agent for a customized plan that fits your needs and your budget.