Common Injuries Among Agriculture and Farm Workers
Working in agriculture can appear simple but comes with unique challenges and risks. The hands-on nature of farming, often involving heavy equipment, animals, and exposure to harsh environmental conditions, makes injuries suffered in this industry much more common than you may imagine. Below, we discuss some common injuries farm workers face and how to address them.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common hazards on farms. These accidents are mainly attributed to uneven terrain, slippery farmland and surfaces, and tools scattered around work areas. Injuries suffered in slip and fall accidents on farms can range from sprains to head injuries. Ensuring one has the proper gear, surfaces are kept clear, and adequate lighting is provided to reduce the risks of slips and falls is always advisable.
Chemical Exposure
Farm workers often deal with pesticides and fertilizers, posing serious health risks if improperly handled. While short-term exposure may result in issues like skin irritation and potentially in the mucous membrane, if one is exposed for long periods, this may lead to chronic illnesses like respiratory issues or even cancer.
Repetitive strain injuries
Most farm tasks like operating machinery, planting, or harvesting require repetitive motions, which can strain muscles and joints over time. Such repetitive tasks often lead to injuries to the wrists, shoulder, and back, which can keep an employee out of work as they recover.
Machine-Related Injuries
Farm machinery is vital to agricultural work but can also be extremely dangerous. Equipment like tractors, threshers, and power tools can cause severe injuries if not properly maintained or operated. Common injuries arising from operating farm equipment include cuts, amputations, and even crushing injuries.
Animal-Related Injuries
Another common source of injury for farm workers happens when dealing with livestock. Aggressive animals can inflict bite, kick, or crush injuries on a farm worker. Moreover, direct contact with animals may expose workers to zoonotic diseases, which are illnesses transmitted from animals to humans.
Grain Bin and Silo Accidents
When safety measures are not followed, grain bins and silos become death traps for farm workers. Many fatal farm accidents are linked to suffocation if a farmworker is trapped in flowing grain, dust inhalation from grain particles, or lack of oxygen if the silos are poorly ventilated.
Heat Stress
Working in the hot sun is not only uncomfortable, but it can also lead to heat stress. When workers are exposed to prolonged high temperatures, they can suffer from dehydration, dizziness, or even heatstroke, among older farm workers. In some instances, injuries from heat stress may even require immediate hospitalization.
Can You Sue for Agricultural Injuries?
In Vermont, most agricultural employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance covering injuries sustained on the job. This insurance provides coverage for workplace injuries, but it also limits an employee’s ability to sue their employer. You typically cannot sue an employer for workplace injuries unless the injury resulted from intentional harm by the employer or they fail to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Get Help From a Vermont Agriculture & Farm Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered a work injury while working on a farm, contact our skilled Vermont agriculture and workplace injury lawyer at Sluka Law PLC at 802-457-1000 to help protect your rights.
