There's an app for that!

You probably use your phone for keeping up with social media, shopping online, texting friends and family, and maybe even making actual phone calls, but it can also be an important part of your farm safety toolbelt.

Here are a few apps to consider downloading. They are all available for iOS and Android, and are free in iTunes and the Google Play Store, and many are available in English and Spanish.

Decibel X:  You may think the machinery you're working with isn't loud enough to damage your hearing, but this app can tell you for sure.  The color-coded meter (pictured above) shows when hearing protection is needed.

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool: This app from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health calculates the heat index for a worksite and displays a risk level for outdoor workers. It also offers reminders for protective measures and information on recognizing and treating heat-related illness.

Ladder Safety: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created this app, which uses visual, sound, and vibration signals to help users position extension ladders at an optimal angle and includes a step ladder safety module.

Hazard Spotter: This safety training app

Mayday Safety: With three taps, this app pinpoints your exact location and sends a distress call to people you have designated to receive it. It can also be used to send a safety check to family members or employees.

Life360: This app is popular among families with teenage drivers. It lets app users in your group see each others' locations and provides information on the routes they have taken, including maximum speed. Alerts can be set up to notify the group when a user leaves or arrives at home, school, or another designated location.

First Aid: The American Red Cross developed this app, which profides step-by-step instructions to guide users through everyday first aid scenarios. It is fully integrated with 9-1-1 so you can call from within the app if needed. A Pet First Aid app is also available.

NIOSH Mobile Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Access information on 677 chemicals and how to safely handle them.