6 Common Farming Injuries and Ways to Prevent Them in the Central Valley

With nearly 20% of jobs being related to agribusiness, the Central Valley is home to many farms and various agricultural packing houses. It is a business sector that provides tens of thousands of jobs for the people of Fresno on a daily basis with some of the major agricultural companies in the area being Fowler Packing, Foster Farms, Del Monte and Grimmway Farms.

Along with any kind of business comes workplace injuries, though; according to NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 100 farm workers are injured in a lost-work-time injury each day across the country. 

There are two major components to the agribusiness with one being the work done on the farm itself harvesting the product and the other component being the work done processing that material in a packing house so it's ready to go to consumers. In this article, we’ll focus on the former component by discussing some common on-the-farm injuries related to the Agricultural industry.

Common injuries related to agriculture and farming jobs:

1.Falling from tall ladders 

Many workers utilize the help of ladders or other climbing equipment to get the job done, but falling from one of these could result in broken bones, severe brain damage and even death.

2.Suffocation due to grain silo unloading 

Grain silos can fully cover an average adult in a matter of seconds and with thousands of pounds of grain crushing down on them, it does not take long for a worker to suffocate.

3.Severe respiratory issues from chemical inhalation

Farms use a variety of pesticides and herbicides that can lead to both short term harm such as skin and mouth irritation as well as long term effects such as various forms of cancer and other significant ailments.

4.Animal related injuries

Many farms involve working directly with animals that can cause harm via bites, trampling and kicks. All of these can be catastrophic to a worker.

5.Heat related injuries from working in the sun for long hours

Working in the hot sun can cause many heat related injuries such as dehydration sickness, sunburns, and in extreme cases, even heat stroke. 

6.Vehicle related injuries

Overturned tractors can lead to many severe injuries such as broken bones, organ damage or even death.

Luckily, there are a variety of precautions and measures that can be taken to help prevent or lower the risk of being injured while working on a farm. It is important to be mindful of these practices when entering any kind of agricultural workforce regardless of if it’s your 1st day or 1,001st day. Good safety habits followed across the board can prevent injuries and save lives.   

Ways to prevent serious farm related injuries

1.Get a good night sleep so you are alert at all times

The CDC recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep and a positive, consistent nightly routine that is free of caffeine and electronic devices close to bedtime. 

2.Do not operate machinery if on medication that may impair your ability to do so

Certain medications may be required by your doctor, but if they interfere with your ability to safely operate any equipment, that needs to be communicated with your employer right away.

3.Be able to be contacted at all times

Keeping an open line of communication is crucial for worker safety because if anything happens, people can respond quickly which can be the difference between life and death. For grain safety specifically, implementing a lifeline system and using a Lock Out Tag Out practice are great ways to be prepared in case of an emergency.   

4.Drink plenty of water and take breaks when necessary

Working on a farm is back breaking, labor intensive work that can quickly lead to a lack of fluids. Staying properly hydrated and taking brief, safe pauses every once in a while are key ways to prevent injuries from occurring.

5.Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Anything can happen at any time on a farm so being aware of all that is going on around you is a vital part of keeping everyone you work with safe and injury free.  

6.Frequently update equipment and make sure they are up to code

Old equipment can lead to many injuries since they are not up to the same standards and regulations as current equipment. A good example of keeping things updated is by adding a ROPS or Roll-over Protective Structure to any tractors on the farm.

7.Keep any harmful chemicals from contacting the skin, eyes or mouth

Taking the necessary precautions to avoid damage from chemicals through protective equipment and proper maintenance is a sure fire way to have a long and healthy life on the farm.

8.Be cautious of other drivers or pedestrians when operating any vehicle or machinery

Riding equipment is needed for the modern farmer but so is being cautious of any potential road hazard when operating them. Always look out for others when in a vehicle or operating heavy equipment.   

Keep in mind that even though many states have specific rules when it comes to farms and how safety regulations are carried out, if you are injured on a California farm, you are afforded the same opportunity for workers comp benefits as any other qualified worker in the state.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.