People who don’t work on farms often think of it as a relatively peaceful and safe occupation. They imagine someone milking cows or spreading fertilizer on a field of crops. It doesn’t seem nearly as dangerous as other industries, such as working in construction or taking a job as a police officer.
But the reality is that agricultural work is very dangerous. Some studies rank it in the top 10 when it comes to fatal injury rates. In fact, over the last seven years, the fatality rate for agricultural workers has gone up by 22%. This shows that it is certainly one of the most dangerous industries – and there are many people who suffer severe injuries, to go along with the high fatality rate.
Why does this happen?
The problem with agricultural work is simply that there are a lot of potential hazards. For one thing, workers may have to use heavy machinery like conveyor belts, power equipment or a combine. Any time someone uses heavy machinery, a mistake can have severe ramifications.
On top of that, this is a very physical type of labor. Workers have to put in long days, carry heavy loads and put a lot of strain on their bodies. All it takes is one thing to go wrong for that to result in an injury.
Finally, you have to consider weather-related issues. Every year, workers pass away from heatstroke, for example. Some workers may struggle with dehydration, severe sunburns and the like. When weather conditions change, they could be caught in thunderstorms or lightning storms. Anyone who works outside faces a level of objective risk that isn’t present for those who work indoors.
Seeking compensation
Have you lost a loved one or suffered injuries in the agricultural field? You may have a right to seek financial compensation.