Farming is one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S., with approximately 22 out of every 100,000 farmworkers suffering a fatal work-related accident year. In fact, farmers are twice as likely to die on the job as police officers are, five times as likely as firefighters, and 73 times as likely as Wall Street bankers.
The majority of farm accidents involve machinery and equipment, but hazards can be found in all areas of a farm operation. Many of these accidents could be prevented by proper and efficient inspections and corrections of hazards, which may be difficult if agricultural workers do not understand how to properly assess and correct them.
To prevent work-related accidents, agricultural workers should follow these steps to spot farm hazards:
Recognize the hazards of farming in general.
Farming hazards can be found anywhere and aren’t always easy to spot. However, farm hazards can be classified in one of the following ways:
- Equipment operation – All farm machinery should be kept in good working order, have ROPS and other safety equipment in place, and should only be operated in a safe manner by employees that are properly trained.
- Environmental hazards – Hazards that occur by being outside for work, including weather issues and air quality.
- Chemical hazards – Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals can cause a multitude of injuries including respiratory, dermatological, and even certain types of cancers.
- Natural hazards – Farming occurs in areas that may expose workers to natural and man-made geographical features.
Understand the nature of specific hazards you may experience while farming and use precautions to decrease the risk of injury when working around these hazards.
Prepare an emergency plan for potential hazards.
- Emergency plans should include evacuation procedures, escape routes, and responses to chemical spills, injuries, and other events. These plans should be prominently displayed and written in a language(s) that all employees can understand.
Have an emergency communication plan in place.
- Include contact information for emergency responders, workers, family members, and neighbors where practical. These numbers should be located near and/or programmed into any phones used by employees.
Have a well-stocked emergency kit.
- An emergency kit should contain items such as first aid supplies, food, water, a weather radio, flashlights, and checklists relating to emergency procedures.
Assume that if something can go wrong, it will.
As a Farm Worker, You Have Rights
Agricultural jobs rank as one of the most dangerous in the U.S. If you or a loved one was injured, you may be entitled to compensation depending on the circumstances of your accident. Negligence on the part of your employer, machinery manufacturer, landowner, etc. can be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, and the lawyers at America’s Consumer Lawyer will work with you to help determine whether filing a lawsuit is in your best interest and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has suffered an injury or illness due to another’s negligence. We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at the work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 950 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 125 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
