“While we might not want to constantly be remembering that working in the agriculture industry is dangerous, it is,” says Omar Kaywan, co-founder of Goose Insurance. “Farming and the agriculture sector are twice as deadly as law enforcement, and five times deadlier than firefighting. Workers are constantly surrounded by heavy, dangerous machinery and equipment, working outside at risk of severe weather. And having a lack of safety requirements makes this a dangerous job with high fatality and injury rates.”

The good news is, there are some commonsense best practices that can help you avoid some of the more common ag-related accidents, Kaywan says.

Don’t fight fatigue

“When your office doesn’t have a controlled temperature and you’re constantly pushing your body to its limit with heavy lifting and movement, you’re likely going to need to take a step back from the job multiple times a day,” Kaywan says. “Whether you need to cool down or warm yourself up, it’s important to stay in top physical condition. You know your body the best, and if you begin to feel slightly off, it’s best to remove yourself from a potentially dangerous situation until you feel better.”

Load up your tractor with small snacks, water, Gatorade or other easily transportable items that can give you a quick energy or hydration boost, Kaywan suggests.

Insure for AD+D

It may be prudent to add accidental death and dismemberment coverage to your policy. If you are hurt or, worse, killed in an accident, this insurance will help family pay for bills and cover medical costs and other expenses. And while seldom needed, this coverage can add some much-needed peace of mind. “Make sure you look at the types of accidents covered, because not all policies cover all types of accidents,” Kaywan adds.

Stretch it out

Kaywan suggests taking a couple of minutes each day devoted to some simple stretching. Clinicians and other health professionals use stretching to prevent injury, decrease soreness and improve performance, he says.

“Working in the agricultural industry is no joke,” he says. “You’re constantly moving heavy things and working out every muscle group in your body. By taking just a few minutes every day to stretch before your work starts, you’re less likely to pull a crucial muscle that could send you to the hospital or keep you on bed rest for days to weeks and even months. ”That doesn’t mean you have to run to your nearest yoga class, but Kaywan says getting warmed up before doing the same repetitive motions will have your body thanking you.