Rural Agricultural Health and Safety
Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 368 farmers and agricultural workers died from a work-related injury in 2020, a rate of 18.0 deaths per 100,000 workers. Each day, agricultural workers experience 100 non-fatal lost-work-time injuries. Transportation incidents, including tractor rollovers, were the leading cause of death, but many other hazards exist on the farm.
Agriculture is different from many industries in that it can present hazards to people not actively involved in the industry, such as family members living on the farm and visitors, in addition to workers. Additionally, hazards may exist for emergency medical services personnel and other healthcare professionals as they provide assistance and care to victims of farm accidents.
This topic guide focuses specifically on the health and safety issues inherent in the agricultural industry. This includes migrant workers hired to work on farms who are included in data relating to agricultural health and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What chronic and acute health risks are farmers and farmworkers exposed to?
- What are some mental health concerns for farmers and ranchers and their families?
- How many children are involved in agricultural injuries? What resources are available related to preventing farm accidents among children and youth?
- Which local agencies can help support the development of an agricultural health and safety program?
- What federal agencies focus on agricultural health and safety?
- Are there funding sources available for nonprofits to support agricultural health and safety programs?
- What programs or resources are available that can assist agricultural employers to develop safety measures to protect their employees?
- Are resources available that provide special training to healthcare personnel when treating farm injuries and chemical exposures?
- What chronic and acute health risks are farmers and farmworkers exposed to?
Health risks for farmers and farmworkers include:
- Exposure to farm chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, as well as toxic gases which may be produced from common farm practices like manure decomposition and silo crop storage
- Exposure to high levels of dust, which can contain mold, bacteria, and animal droppings, among other things
- Falls from ladders, farm equipment, grain bins, or other heights
- Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, which can result in skin cancer
- Joint and ligament injuries, which can result in arthritic conditions affecting mobility
- Exposure to loud noises and sounds from machinery and equipment which can result in hearing loss
- Stress from environmental factors, such as droughts, floods, wildfires, pests, and diseases affecting crops and livestock, as well as from working long hours, financial concerns, and feelings of isolation and frustration
- Risk of suffocation in a grain bin if a person is engulfed by the grain
- Risk of heatstroke, frostbite, or hypothermia from working outside in extreme weather conditions
- Risk of injury from operating farm equipment and motorized vehicles
- Risk of injury from working with livestock
- Risk of electrocution to persons operating large equipment that can contact overhead power lines
If you or someone you know needs medical help do not hesitate to reach out to us immediately so we can get you in to see one of our amazing providers as quickly as possible. You can reach us directly by calling us at 573-332-7992 and selecting option 1, you can also email us at manager@yourfamilymedicalclinic.com or you can click to Schedule an appointment.
What are some mental health concerns for farmers and ranchers and their families?
In addition to physical injuries, farmers are also at risk of behavioral and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use, and death by suicide. Due to environmental, financial, and social factors, there are a number of stressors inherent in farming and farm ownership. That is why it is so important to talk to anyone who may show signs of extreme stress, or if they are abusing substances (legal or illegal).
This article was originally written by Rural Health Information Hub, 2023
