AGRICULTURAL SAFETY

Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries; and farming is one of the few industries in which family members (who often share the work and live on the premises) are also at risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.

In 1990, Congress directed NIOSH to develop an extensive agricultural safety and health program to address the high risks of injuries and illnesses experienced by workers and families in agriculture. NIOSH supports intramural research and funds extramural research and prevention programs at university centers in 20 states. These programs conduct research on injuries associated with agriculture, as well as pesticide exposure, pulmonary disease, musculoskeletal disorders, hearing loss, and stress.

Who’s at Risk?

• Approximately 1,823,000 full-time workers were employed in production agriculture in the US in 2010.
  
  
• An estimated 1.03 million youth under 20 years of age resided on farms in 2009, with about 519,000 youth performing farm work. In addition to the youth who live on farms, an estimated 230,000 youth were hired to work on US farms in 2009.

Fatalities

• In 2010, 476 farmers and farm workers died from a work-related injury, resulting in a fatality rate of 26.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Tractor overturns were the leading cause of death for these farmers and farm workers.
  
  
• The most effective way to prevent tractor overturn deaths is the use of a Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS). In 2006, 59% of tractors used on farms in the US were equipped with ROPS. If ROPS were placed on all tractors used on US farms manufactured since the mid-1960’s, the prevalence of ROPS-equipped tractors could be increased to over 80%.
  
  
• On average, 113 youth less than 20 years of age die annually from farm-related injuries (1995 -2002), with most of these deaths occurring to youth 16-19 years of age (34%).
  
  
• Of the leading sources of fatal injuries to youth, 23% percent involved machinery (including tractors), 19% involved motor vehicles (including ATVs), and 16% were due to drowning.

Injuries

• Every day, about 243 agricultural workers suffer a lost-work-time injury. Five percent of these injuries result in permanent impairment.
  
  
• In 2009, an estimated 16,100 youth were injured on farms; 3,400 of these injuries were due to farm work.

National occupational safety and health goals for the agricultural production industry have been developed as part of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) process, and are available for public review and comment. Further information on agriculture production safety and health is also available as part of the NORA Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishing Sector activities.