Agricultural Worker Safety: What You Should Know

When you think of industries with a high risk of injury, agriculture probably isn't at the top of your lift. It's no secret that construction consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries, with thousands of constructions workers losing their lives every day in the United States. However, agriculture and farm workers also face a plethora of hazards on a daily basis.

Long Work Hours

According to a study conducted by the NHIS-OHS, the prevalence of occupational exposures in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector that may negatively impact health was 37% for employees who clocked more than 48 hours per week. Additionally, the study found that 24% of employees in these industries worked more than 60 hours per week. Long work hours such as this often leads to fatigue and slower reaction times, which is a serious hazard when working around heavy equipment and machines.

Sun Exposure

You might be surprised to learn that sun exposure is a hazard associated with agricultural work. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, between 40 and 50% of Americans will develop some type of skin cancer during their life. While there are many risk factors associated with skin cancer, sun exposure is among the most influential. And because farm workers typically work outdoors under the sun, they have a greater risk of developing skin cancer than individuals who work indoors.

Machinery

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), most work-related injuries that occur in the agricultural industry involve machinery. As such, employers and workers alike should take additional precautions when working with machines to reduce the risk of injury. This includes having machinery serviced on a regular basis, training workers how to use the machinery, and reporting all injuries and incidents that occur.

Overexertion

Because so many agricultural workers clock overtime, it's not uncommon for them to experience injuries stemming from overexertion. When you push yourself beyond your physical limits, your body becomes susceptible to injury, typically MSD injuries like back pain. Nonetheless, overexertion is a common problem in the agricultural industry.

Chemicals

Agricultural workers are often exposed to toxic and otherwise harmful chemicals. Farmers, for instance, frequently spray their crops with pesticides to deter insects. In doing so, they inadvertently expose their workers to these and other toxic chemicals. This is why it's essential for agricultural workers to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including dust masks and respirators when deemed helpful in the prevention of injury and illness.