Traditionally, youth have been involved in agriculture by helping their neighbors and family on the farm. Agricultural work has long been associated with providing a strong work ethic and responsibility, but unfortunately, it is not without risk.
It is estimated that 104 youths under the age of 20 are fatally injured on farms and ranches annually in the United States. The most common causes of agricultural accidents for youths include machinery accidents, drowning, livestock accidents, and falls.
To keep youth safe on farms and ranches, the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety recommends the following:
- Restrict access of non-working children from the workplace
- Train children in age-appropriate farm tasks
- Provide supervision
- Provide and require personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Maintain farm equipment in working order with operational safety devices
- Teach youth about the risks and hazards when working on the farm or ranch
- Understand and obey child labor laws including age restrictions
- Allow ample rest/break times with water and shade and provide sun protection while working
- Avoid assigning tasks that require the youth to work alone
The federal government also regulates the use of tractors among youths. Their requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) include:
- Youth under 16 years may not operate a tractor with more than 20 hp power takeoff (PTO) horsepower or connect/disconnect farm implements from a tractor
- Youth under 16 may not ride on a tractor as a passenger or helper; work in a horizontal silo while operating a tractor for packing purposes; or drive a bus, truck, or automobile when transporting passengers.
- Youth under 16 may not operate or assist with (including starting, stopping, adjusting, feeding, or any other activity involving physical contact associated with the operation) any of the following machines: trencher or earthmoving equipment, forklift, potato combine, corn picker, a cotton picker, grain combine, hay mower, forage harvester, hay baler, potato digger, or mobile pea viner; feed grinder, crop dryer, forage blower, auger conveyor, or the unloading mechanism of a non-gravity self-unloading wagon or trailer; or power post hole diggers, power post driver, or non-walking type rotary tiller.
- Some state health and safety laws require rollover protection structures (ROPS) and seat belts for tractors.
Included in the FLSA is the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals, which states:
“Youth under 16 may not apply toxic agricultural chemicals (including cleaning or decontaminating equipment, disposal or return of empty containers, or serve as a flagger for aircraft applying such chemicals).”
In addition, the FLSA states:
“Youth under 16 may not operate or assist with (including starting, stopping, adjusting, feeding, or any other activity involving physical contact associated with the operation) power-driven circular, band, or chainsaw. Youth under 16 may not work to load or unload timber with a butt diameter of more than 6 inches, or fell buck, or skid timber.”
Additional health and safety for youth working on farms and ranches can be found at https://cultivatesafety.org/.
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.
