FACTS

1. Agriculture still ranks as the most dangerous industry in the United States as danger is always lurking.
2. Slips and falls are a major cause of injuries especially around machinery, equipment.
3. Harvesting equipment can be some of the most dangerous machinery that farm employees will encounter. Particularly, for seasonal workers, casuals, and farm students, who may be less familiar with systems and the way it operates.
4. Operators of powerful agricultural machinery occur during the harvest season maybe less familiar with seasonal equipment used only a few days each year and may not be accustomed to situations that pose possible dangers or risk.
5. Tractors are most used to haul various pieces of equipment needed during harvest. Various field conditions such as ruts, hills, mud, or the addition of front-end loaders can affect the stability of a tractor.
6. Improper hitching of the implements could cause the tractor to overturn. Improper maintenance may result in loose parts striking workers.

STATS

• About 15% of all farm machinery-related injuries and deaths occur during harvest time.
• 410 agriculture workers died on the job or from an agriculture-related injury in 2019.
• at least 170,000 agriculture workers are fatally injured every year. Nationally, 60 to 70 per 100,000 farmers are killed annually. Nonfatal injuries occur to about 33% of the farming population in the United States, with 3% of accidents resulting in a permanent disability.
• In 2021, workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industry experienced one of the highest fatal injury rates at 20 deaths.
• 423 workers in agricultural and non-agricultural industries were reported to have died from exposure to environmental heat; 68 (16%) of these workers were engaged in crop production or support activities for crop production.
• In 2020, there were 11,880 injuries in agricultural production that required days away from work, however, there is well-known underreporting of injuries in this industry.
• 42% of all hired crop worker injuries were classified as a sprain or strain.