Farming is one of the most dangerous industries in America. Farmers are nearly twice as likely to die on the job as police officers, five times as likely to die on the job as firefighters, and 73 times as likely as Wall Street Bankers; with 22 of every 100,000 farmers dying in work-related accidents every year. While farming deaths are high, non-fatal farming injury rates are even higher. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 58,000 adult farm workers are injured annually.
Because of the hazards that face agricultural workers, it is important that they understand all the risks on the farm and practice the best safety practices to prevent injuries and fatalities. These include:
- Wear appropriate clothing – When preparing for work, it is important to choose the proper clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing that could get entangled, wear ear and eye protection, and when using chemicals use gloves, a respirator, or appropriate mask.
- Know your chemicals – It is common that various chemicals and pesticides are used on the farm. To prevent accidents, it is important to familiarize yourself with the types of chemicals being used, and in Illinois those applying pesticides are required to be certified and licensed when applying pesticides outdoors and in agricultural production. PPE should also be used when applying these dangerous chemicals.
- Prepare equipment for the road – When traveling on public roadways, ensure that your equipment is clearly marked, your lights are on, the reflective tape is applied, and your slow-moving emblems are visible.
- Practice tractor safety – The tractor is used more than any other piece of equipment on the farm. Never start the tractor in a closed garage or shed to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure the hot engine is cooled before refueling. Do not allow anyone to ride on the tractor, even children, if there is only one seat.
- Air out silos – Ventilate silo headspace at least 30 minutes before entering the silo to remove concentrations of harmful and lethal gasses. These gasses can poison you, cause suffocation, or explode, so you should never enter a silo alone.
- Avoid electrical accidents – When using tall equipment, watch for overhead power lines, and stay at least 10 feet away. Always treat low hanging wires as energized. If someone comes into contact with an energized wire, avoid touching them until the power is turned off.
- Know your PTO – Always disengage your power take off (PTO), turn off the engine, and take out the keys before getting off the tractor. Also, never step across a rotating power shaft.
- Use rollover protection – New tractors are required to have rollover protection structures (ROPS), however most older tractors are not equipped with this protective equipment. Retro-fit ROPS can be installed on older tractors to prevent serious injuries in the event of a rollover. It is also important that seatbelts are worn as well.
- Avoid grain bin entrapment – If done in a hurry and without proper training, accidents can happen during grain handling. Always use a lifeline system with a harness and anchored lifeline with a second person monitoring when working in a grain bin.
- Keep children safe – Farm equipment may look like fun but in reality it poses serious risk for injuries. Do not let children climb on the equipment, remove the keys, fence off areas like manure pits, animal pens, and water sources, cap abandoned wells and tanks, lock up chemicals, and ensure children have no access to grain bins.
- Take care of yourself – Farming can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. It is important that you take time to rest so you stay alert and on top of your game.
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.
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