Farmworkers are exposed to numerous hazards on the farm, including environmental, health, biological, and respiratory hazards. These risks are why farming ranks among the most dangerous industries in the United States. According to the Farm Injury Resource Center, these are some of the top hazards that farmers face every day, which include:
- Grain bins – Working in grain bins is very dangerous, with the most common injury being suffocation. When a worker enters a grain bin, the packed grain can break apart, causing the worker to become engulfed and trapped quickly, often in less than 20 seconds. Grain bin injuries have a 62% fatality rate due to the amount of time it often takes to rescue the trapped worker.
- Electrocution – According to the National Agricultural Safety Database, approximately 62 farmworkers die from electrocution every year and nearly 1 in 10 farm workers will be electrocuted resulting in non-fatal injuries. The most common cause of farm electrocutions is due to coming into contact with overhead power lines, exposed underground power lines, or defective wiring.
- Corn pickers and combines – Farm workers use corn pickers and combines in the harvesting of corn. The corn picker strips the corn stalks close to the ground using a pronged header. It then feeds the corn into the combine which husks them with large, sharp, rotating rollers. A conveyor belt feeds the husked corn further into the machine, where the belt drops them into a container. Corn picker and combine accidents occur when the corn stalks get stuck and a worker attempts to free them, often resulting in serious injuries, including amputation, crushing injuries, and even death.
- Power take-off – Power Take-Off (PTO) is a term used to describe the process of transmitting power from one point to another. A PTO shaft is a cylindrical metal rod that attaches to a power source on one end and an attachment on the other. When the power is running, energy will flow through the shaft, transferring energy from the engine to the attachment. According to the National Agricultural Safety Database, most PTO accidents occur when clothing and/or limbs are entangled in the rotating shaft.
- Tractor rollovers – The number one cause of injuries and fatalities on the farm is a tractor rollover. The heaviness of the tractor combined with uneven terrain makes it very easy for a tractor to roll. While newer tractors are required to be equipped with rollover protection systems (ROPS), older equipment is not. Of the 4.8 million tractors currently operated within the U.S., 50% do not have ROPS or seat belts. Also, tractor manufacturers often do not design their products for safety or do not provide adequate warnings for operating dangers.
- Livestock – Livestock can be unpredictable and can cause serious injuries including bites, kicks, trampling, ramming, and crushing. Animals can also transfer zoonotic diseases such as Anthrax, Brucellosis, Hantavirus, Rabies, Giardia, Salmonella, Ringworm, and Leptospirosis. It is important that proper handling techniques are used, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided, effective disinfection and cleaning procedures are followed, and animals are kept on a health and vaccine protocol, including isolating sick or injured animals and disposing of them appropriately.
- Pesticide exposure – Pesticides pose both short-and long-term hazards to farm workers. When mixing, loading, or applying pesticides workers are exposed to toxins due to spills and splashes, direct sprays, inhalation, contamination, or lack of PPE.
- Respiratory hazards – Barns, manure pits, silos, and machinery all produce mild to serious air contaminants. Farmworkers are also exposed to bioaerosols including organic dusts, microorganisms, chemical toxins, endotoxins, and inorganic dust.
These are not the only hazards that are seen on farms. If you or a loved one was injured while on a farm, 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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