Farming is one of the pillars of our nation’s infrastructure and economy. It’s also one of the more manually-intensive industries in the country. As a result, it’s common for farmers and their workers to become injured. Most injuries are minor, though some can be more serious in nature.
6 Common Farming Injuries
Farms present numerous risks to farm workers and visitors. Between heavy machinery, chemicals, and other environmental hazards, injuries can happen at any time. Some of the most common ones include:
This is an overarching category that includes lots of different injuries and accidents. They range from walking into a hole and breaking your leg to falling from a piece of heavy machinery and suffering a concussion. Sometimes the effects are minor and other times these injuries can lead to serious, long-term health consequences.
Farms often have large propane tanks on site to provide fuel for various applications. And while they’re typically quite safe, issues can occur when propane tanks are exposed to significant heat, punctures, and other mishandling. These explosions may lead to serious injuries – such as cuts, burns, and damage to eyes, ears, and respiratory tracts. It can even cause death in serious circumstances.
Approximately 100 U.S. farmers die each year when their tractors roll over during use. Thousands more suffer serious and life-threatening injuries. If you find yourself in the aftermath of a tractor injury, it’s imperative that you shut off the equipment as quickly as possible (while also seeking immediate medical attention).
With all of the equipment involved in farming, it’s not uncommon for objects to fall or tip over. From grain bins and ladders to farm buildings and items stored overhead, even small objects can become lethal from the right heights.
This is one of the scarier categories of farming injuries. Machine entanglements can maim, disfigure, and even kill farmers when they get caught in machinery like PTO shafts or augers.
While not as common as some other injuries on this list, suffocation accidents do happen. In fact, just a few weeks ago, a Taylorville, Illinois farmer died in a grain bin after becoming submerged in corn. Dozens of others find themselves in similar situations every year – though many are able to survive with injuries.
What to Do if You’re Injured in a Farming Accident
Nobody ever expects to find themselves in a situation where they’re injured in a farming accident. But if you do, an appropriate response is required. Here’s the recommended response plan:
Be Smart, Stay Safe
There’s never a convenient time for an injury. And though you can’t control everything that happens to you, you do have some influence over the situations you put yourself in. Always remain vigilant of your surroundings and make sure to stay as safe as possible at all times. It’s better to spend a few extra minutes on a task and do it correctly than to get hurt trying to finish early.