Accurate fatality rates for agricultural workers from heat stress can be difficult to obtain due to the varied nature of these duties and the fact that some of the deaths on small farms may not be considered work-related.  A review of publications would indicate that the fatality rate in agriculture is near 4 deaths per one million workers per year, or about 20 times higher than the .2 rate for other US workers overall.  The most common cause of fatalities due to heat stress is not taking an adequate number of days to get fully acclimated to a hot working environment.  See:  Heat Illness and Death Among Workers (CDC):  https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6331a1.htm

Tractor Safety

Tractors are among the most used and valued pieces of equipment in agribusiness. Not only are they used every day, they can be used all day long by different workers. It may come to no surprise that tractors are the primary source for most agricultural related fatalities.

• Overturns
• Run-overs,
• Entanglements
• Highway Collisions  

Accidents involving agricultural tractors kill approximately 250 people a year and are by far the leading cause of death and serious injury in agriculture.  Rollovers account for over half of those fatalities annually. It is estimated that 95% of tractor fatalities could be avoided. 

Complacency Overlooked

What do driving ATVs, handling livestock pharmaceuticals and operating a dump trailer all have in common?

None of them has a formal OSHA safety standard. 

“Nobody likes getting older, but it’s better than the alternative…” is a phrase that we hear often in regards to aging.  When it comes to safety on the farm, we need to respect the fact that as we age we don’t have the same reflexes, strength, flexibility or agility that we had in years past.  This progresses faster in some people, and slower in others.  We must learn to gauge our own abilities and be realistic in the activities we choose to do—and how we choose to do them.

You work tirelessly researching and studying OSHA's regulations and various training requirements to keep your farm safe. You study the Bradley Curve, and try to find ways to lower your farm's DART rating. And nobody knows better than you about how to find fantastic information about creating and fostering a safety culture in the workplace.

With limited specific OSHA training regulations for agriculture, you might think that you have covered all your bases in your safety training and meeting OSHA's training requirements. On the contrary, staying current on all OSHA requirements is an ongoing project for you and your safety team.

Safety issues must become a top priority. That means creating a strategy that safeguards your employees’ and managers’ safety and fosters a solid expectation for everyone’s complete compliance with OSHA guidelines. These goals will help establish the foundation of a safety culture that, in turn, could lead to higher productivity and profits for your operation. 

A dairyman was in a hurry to get some heifers treated and when going over a gate, accidentally stuck a syringe filled with a powerful cattle treatment drug in his leg, just above the knee.  He was unconscious before he hit the ground and laid in snow and mud for around four hours before waking up just enough to call for help.  A quick-thinking family member called their veterinarian so he could contact the EMT’s to be sure they used the right treatment.  If they had used their standard procedure for this type of reaction, they would have killed him instantly.  Still, he had to be revived three times on the way to the hospital.           

I caught up with a friend last week who owned a large dairy farm and now works for a farm co-op in his “retirement.” When I mentioned ag-safety programs and OSHA compliance, he quickly rolled his eyes and sarcastically said, “Ugh,” with a chuckle.

Many ag businesses utilize contractors on a regular basis as electricians, millwrights, veterinarians, nutritionists, mechanics, engineers, technicians and other professionals.  If they are working on your operation and get hurt, are you liable even if they aren’t an employee?  The short answer is YES, but there are ways to limit your liability and most importantly, ensure their safety while at your operation.

Important components of ag safety are knowledge and information. Knowing the pharmaceuticals being used on your farm today and knowing how to administer them is key to protecting farm workers, animals, consumers and environment. Today's medicines and chemicals are safer but only if the label instructions and manufacturer recommended safety precautions are followed.