Sep 15, 2021
Farm Work Injury Prevention During Fall Season Harvest
The fall season is nearly here, and many are looking forward to their favorite autumn activities: apple picking, visiting pumpkin patches, and football season! During this time of year, farmers across the country and the state of Georgia are also getting ready to have their busiest time of year during the annual harvest season.
Unfortunately, there’s plenty of farm equipment that can be dangerous for agriculture workers.
During this year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week, which takes place September 19-25, 2021, we want to help raise awareness of the health and safety issues facing these workers.
Farm Safety and Health Statistics
The agriculture industry is one of the most important industries in the world. Data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) shows that there were over 2 million agriculture full-time workers employed in production agriculture in 2018. However, injuries are quite common. Just take a look at some of these statistics:
- Every day, about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury.
- From 2008-2010, 50% of all hired crop worker injuries were classified as a sprain or strain.
- In 2014, an estimated 12,000 youth were injured on farms; 4,000 of these injuries were due to farm work.
How to Keep Farm Workers Safe
During this year’s fall harvest season, safety should be a number one priority. Slip and falls, blunt trauma, and equipment-related accidents are some of the most common causes of injuries to farmers and other agricultural workers. The good news is that there are steps that workers and farm owners can take to help keep those safe on the job:
- To reduce fatigue, workers should ensure they get adequate sleep.
- Take breaks throughout the day.
- Ensure equipment has adequate lighting when working in the dark.
- Be alert of your surroundings.
- When working with potentially dangerous equipment, maintain eye contact with those nearby.
- Keep all equipment properly maintained.
If you or a loved one was injured as an agriculture worker in Georgia, you may be entitled to benefits in order to make up for your medical expenses and lost wages. The team at The Law Offices of Nathaniel F. Hansford, LLC is ready to review your case for free, determine what legal options you may have, and fight hard to pursue maximum benefits on your behalf.
Let us help you get back on your feet. Contact our team at (770) 741-2825 to get started!
