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Youth who reside and work on farms are exposed to potentially
dangerous farm hazards more frequently than other youth. Understanding
how to create a safe farm environment is important for farm operators
and their families. |
Content
Youth on U.S. Farm Operations
- Agriculture continues to rank as one of the most hazardous industries.
- Youth are exposed to hazards while living, working on, or visiting
farms.
- In 2001, there were approximately 1.9 million farms in the U.S., with
an estimated 1,075,759 youth living in these farm households.
- Between 1995 and 2000, the annual injury fatality rate for youth on
farm operations was 9.3 fatalities per 100,000 youth.
- In 2001, the non-fatal injury rate for youth who reside on or are
hired to work on U.S. farms was 1,270 injuries per 100,000 farm youth.
Household Youth on U.S. Farm Operations, 2001
Household farm youth comprise all youth 0-19 years of age who live on
U.S. farms and include working and non-working youth.
An estimated 1,075,759 youth lived on U.S. farm operations in 2001:
- 16,851 were injured (16 injuries per 1,000 household youth)
- 10-15 year olds had the highest injury rate (21 injuries per 1,000
household youth)
- 5,807 injuries occurred while working on the farm (10 injuries per
1,000 working household youth)
- 10-15 year olds experienced the highest rate of injury while doing
farm work (11 injuries per 1,000 household youth)
Non-Fatal Injuries: Household Youth on U.S. Farm Operations, 2001
The most common sources for the 16,851 non-fatal injuries to household
youth on U.S. farm operations were:
- Floors, walkways, ground (27%)
- Person, animals, plants, minerals (22%)
- Vehicles (18%)
The most common types of injury were:
- Broken bone, fracture (32%)
- Cut, laceration (17%)
- Bruise, contusion (10%)
The body parts most commonly injured were:
- Arm (16%)
- Hand, wrist, fingers (16%)
- Foot, ankle, toes (16%)
- Head, skull (13%)
- Leg (10%)
Fatal Injuries Among Youth on U.S. Farm Operations, 1995-2000
- The majority of deaths to youth on farm operations were due to machinery
(25%), motor vehicles (17%), and drowning (16%).
- An estimated 695 youth died on US farms and most fatalities occurred
to youth 16-19 years of age.
![Youth with small calf.](images/2004-172b.jpg)
Farm Youth Safety Recommendations
Remember to...
- Inspect your farm for potential hazards to children.
- Provide young children a safe play area away from hazards such as
livestock, structures, farm machinery and vehicles.
- Make sure that farm chores assigned to youth are appropriate for their
age and abilities.
- Be a good role model for farm safety.
- Consider outside childcare during busy farm seasons.
- Make sure all dangerous areas are clearly marked with hazard signs.
- Keep toxic substances in their original containers and lock them up
safely.
- Devote a day to FARM SAFETY.
Safety Tips about Youth and Machines
- Follow the “one seat—one rider” rule. Do not allow
extra riders on tractors, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other farm
equipment.
- Follow manufacturers’ recommendations for age restrictions when
operating machinery and equipment (e.g., most manufacturers and safety
experts recommend that youth younger than 16 not operate ATVs or machinery
unless they have received formal training and are closely supervised).
- Once youth reach an appropriate age, teach them how to operate ATVs
and machinery properly. Encourage youth to take safety training courses.
- Leave buckets or forks on loaders and tractors in the down position
when not in use.
- Keep vehicles and machinery properly maintained at all times.
- When parked, self-propelled machinery should be locked and keys removed
from the ignition.
Safety Tips about Youth and Animals
- Teach youth how to handle and work with animals safely.
- Make sure children have no contact with farm animals that are aggressive,
sick, are mothers of newborns, or breeding male animals (bulls, boars,
rams, etc.).
- Make sure children wear proper protective clothing when handling animals.
- Provide shots and proper health checks for all household pets.
Safety Tips about Youth and Water
- Children should always be supervised when playing in or near water.
- Restrict access to ponds, lagoons, pools, manure pits, etc.; fence
these areas if possible.
- Empty or cover containers with standing water in areas where toddlers
are present.
- Make sure wells are securely closed, or filled in if no longer in
use.
- Install water safety and rescue equipment at all farm ponds.
- Teach children to swim at an early age.
- Be aware that alcohol can contribute to teen drowning on farms.
Need More Information?
National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Safety
and Health
1000 North Oak Avenue
Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449
Telephone: 1-888-924-SAFE (7233)
http://research.marshfieldclinic.org/children
North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT)
Telephone: 1-888-924-SAFE (7233)
http://www.nagcat.org
Farm Safety 4 Just Kids
P.O. Box 458
Earlham, Iowa 50072
Telephone: 1-800-423-5437; 515-758-2827
http://www.fs4jk.org
INSURE KIDS NOW!
Your state, and every state in the nation, has a health insurance program
for infants, children, and teens. The insurance is available to children
in working families. To learn more, make a free call to find your state’s
program.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Telephone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669)
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov
Copies of other NIOSH documents on occupational safety and
health are available from:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Education and Information Division (EID)
4676 Columbia Parkway M/S C-13
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226-1998
Telephone: (800) 35-NIOSH [(800-356-4674)]
Fax: (513) 533-8573
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/email-pubs.html
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2004-172
December 2004
Injuries Among Youth on Farms, 2001
Visit the NIOSH Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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![Injuries Among Youth on Farms, 2001 photo collage showing youth in farm settings.](images/2004-172a.gif)
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