DEFECTS OF FARM TOOLS AND REMEDIES  rear loaders

You're bound to come across the occasional dangerous situation when  rotary tillers
working on a farm. Chances are you'll encounter a defective product at some
 rotavators
point -- a tool, a piece of machinery, or farming equipment. You can protect
 round balers
yourself from faulty or recalled farm equipment by learning to identify some of

the most potentially dangerous products.  sack elevators

Some of the most common types of defective farm equipment include:  seed drills

 air seeders  single tine-separation systems

 backhoes  spading machines

 balers  sprayers

 cattle farming equipment  square balers

 chisel plows  straw shredders

 combine harvesters  subsoilers

 conveyor belts  sulky plows

 cotton pickers  tedders

 cotton strippers  terragaters

 cultivators  timber forwarders

 drum mowers  tractors

 feed grinders  trailers

 flail shredders  transplanters

 front-end loaders  vacuum tankers

 harrows  windrowers

 harvesters  and more

 hay rakes
Farm Equipment Injuries?
 integral planters
Simply put – farm equipment can be very dangerous, especially if the
 log splitters
machine you're using is defective and not working properly. Any of these
 manure spreaders types of equipment can cause serious injuries, or even death. Accidents

 mowers involving defective farm equipment can be devastating for both the person

injured and the farm as a whole.

 pickup trucks
But with help from our Pennsylvania lawyers at Edgar Snyder & Associates,
 ploughs
you can get compensation for your injuries and help to plan for the future.
 potato diggers We have a longstanding history of successful verdicts and settlements, and

 potato planters
we have high standards of client care.

From the moment you hire our attorneys, we go to work on your product
 power tillers
liability case:
 precision drills

 We bring in our own investigators to gather and preserve evidence.

 pump units
  We take photos and video, and hire experts when necessary to  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), agricultural workers
prove your farm equipment injury case.
had a non-fatal, fall-related injury rate of 48.2 per 10,000 workers in
 We research every detail of the tool, machinery, or equipment that
2011—far higher than the same type of injury rates in the
caused your injuries.
 We gather your medical records and other documents we need. transportation, mining or manufacturing industries. 1

 We keep you updated on the progress of your case, answering your  Between 2007 and 2011the BLS reported 167 agricultural workers'

questions quickly and treating you with the respect you deserve as deaths were due to falls. 1

a farmer or farm worker.

Fall protection and ladder safety. OSHA's Fall Protection topics page and the
 We help you figure out your medical bills and paperwork, which
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's Fall Injuries Prevention
can be very confusing.
in the Workplace site provide general information on different types of fall
 If you can't come to one of our Pennsylvania locations, we'll travel
protection. The following resources provide fall protection guidance for farm
to you.
workers and employers:

Farmworkers are exposed to numerous safety, health, environmental,  Fall Protection in the Agriculture Sector [3 MB PDF, 36 pages]
biological, and respiratory hazards. These include vehicle rollovers, heat
 Guidance note: Falls prevention in the agricultural sector [1 MB PDF, 36
exposure, falls, musculoskeletal injuries, hazardous equipment, grain bins,
pages]
unsanitary conditions, pesticides, and many others.

MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
VEHICLE HAZARDS
Workers in agricultural operations for both crop and animal production
In 2011, vehicular accidents caused close to half (276) of the 570 fatalities in
typically use repetitive motions in awkward positions and which can cause
agriculture. Injuries from vehicular incidents are serious and debilitating to
1

musculoskeletal injuries. 2

farm activities. For more information, visit the Vehicle Hazards page.
Ergonomic risk factors are found in jobs requiring repetitive, forceful, or

prolonged exertions of the hands; frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling,

HEAT
or carrying of heavy objects; and prolonged awkward postures. Vibration and
Heat-related illness. HEAT ILLNESS CAN BE DEADLY. Every year,
cold may intensify these conditions.
thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even
New technology may reduce some types of ergonomic injuries but increase
die. These illnesses and deaths are preventable.
others. For instance, while dairy farmers have traditionally been at a higher
Workers exposed to hot and humid conditions are at a high risk of heat illness,
risk for developing osteoarthritis of the knee , more recent research has shown
3

especially if they are doing heavy work tasks or using bulky protective clothing
new technology used in milking has resulted in a shift in musculoskeletal
and equipment. New workers may also be at greater risk than others if they
disorders to the shoulders, hands and arms.
have not built up a tolerance to hot conditions. Employers must take steps to
Ergonomic protections. Proper tools, padding to reduce vibration, and fewer
help workers become acclimated.
activities with high repetition are some methods for reducing musculoskeletal
Prevention. Heat-related illnesses, while potentially deadly, are easily
injuries.. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's page
4

preventable. When working in hot conditions, remember "WATER, REST,

on Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders provides general information on
SHADE." Drink water every 15 minutes, even when not thirsty. Wear a hat and
the topic. In addition, NIOSH's Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for
light-colored clothing. Rest in the shade. Be sure to watch out for fellow
Farmworkers has information about early intervention to prevent these injuries
workers and know your location in case you need to call for assistance. Get
for growers, safety specialists, human resources managers or anyone with an
help right away if there are any signs of illness.
interest in safe farms.

LADDERS & FALLS

HAZARDOUS EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
Deaths and injuries from falls remain a major hazard for farmworkers.
Farmworkers routinely use knives, hoes, and other cutting tools; work on

ladders; or use machinery in their shops. However, these simple tools can be
hazardous and have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or equipment, use of lifelines, lockout/tagout, and training is located on

maintained improperly. the OSHA Grain Handling Safety and Health Topics Page.

 All tools should be maintained in good condition and used according to UNSANITARY CONDITIONS

The lack of drinking water, sanitation facilities and/or handwashing facilities

the manufacturers' instructions.
can lead to many health effects. Farmworkers may suffer heat stroke and heat
 Power tools must be properly grounded or double insulated and all
exhaustion from an insufficient intake of potable water, urinary tract infections
guards or shields must be in place.
due to urine retention from inadequate availability of toilets, agrichemical
 Farmworkers should wear the proper personal protective equipment
poisoning resulting from lack of handwashing facilities, and infectious and
(PPE) and make sure that clothing has no strings or loose ends that
other communicable diseases from microbial and parasitic exposures.
could be caught by machinery. Long hair should be tied back to
The Field Sanitation standard (1928.110) applies to any agricultural
prevent entanglement.
establishment where eleven (11) or more workers are engaged on any given
 In addition, shops should be well lit and have clear walkways to
day in hand-labor operations in the field. OSHA standards require covered
eliminate slips, trips and falls.
employers to provide: toilets, potable drinking water, and hand-washing

facilities to hand-laborers in the field; to provide each worker reasonable use

of the above; and to inform each worker of the importance of good hygiene

practices.

PESTICIDES AND OTHER CHEMICALS

Pesticide exposure. Pesticides pose risks of short- and long- term illness to

farmworkers and their families. Workers who mix, load or apply pesticides

(known as pesticide handlers) can be exposed to toxic pesticides due to spills

and splashes, defective, missing or inadequate protective equipment, direct

spray, or drift. Workers who perform hand labor tasks in areas that have been

GRAIN BINS AND SILOS treated with pesticides face exposure from direct spray, drift or contact with

While safety issues surrounding grain bins and silos are sometimes overlooked pesticide residues on the crop or soil.

on farms, they pose many dangers. Farmworkers are exposed to suffocation Pesticides can present a hazard to applicators, to harvesters reentering a

or engulfment hazards when working with grain bins and silos, as well as sprayed field, to family members due to take-home contamination, and to

grain dust exposures and explosions. Suffocation is a leading cause of death in rural residents via air, ground water and food. Workers may be exposed to

grain storage bins. In 2010, the number of workers engulfed by grain stored pesticides in a variety of ways, including: working in a field where pesticides

in bins hit a record high of 57 engulfments and 26 deaths. As a direct result, have recently been applied; breathing in pesticide "drift" from adjoining or

OSHA issued a Hazard Alert and an illustrated hazard wallet card [245 KB nearby fields; working in a pesticide-treated field without appropriate PPE;

PDF , 2 pages] explaining the dangers of working inside grain storage bins. In
* eating with pesticide-contaminated hands; eating contaminated fruits and

2012, 19 workers were engulfed by grain stored in bins, and 8 died. 5 vegetables; and eating in a pesticide-contaminated field. Workers may also be

Suffocation can occur when a worker becomes buried (engulfed) by grain as exposed to pesticides if they drink from, wash their hands, or bathe in

they walk on moving grain or attempt to clear grain built up on the inside of a irrigation canals or holding ponds, where pesticides can accumulate.

bin. Moving grain acts like "quicksand" and can bury a worker in seconds. Pesticide protection. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees

"Bridged" grain and vertical piles of stored grain can also collapse pesticide use through the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). The WPS is a

unexpectedly if a worker stands on or near it. Additional information on safety regulation for agricultural pesticides which is aimed at reducing the risk of

and health issues associated with grain handling, such as personal protective pesticide poisonings and injuries among agricultural workers and pesticide

handlers. The WPS protects employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and

greenhouses from occupational exposure to agricultural pesticides. The Respiratory protection. Control of aerosols might include the enclosure and

regulation covers two types of workers: ventilation of tractors, applying moisture to friable material, and respirators. 6

Helpful links include:

 Pesticide handlers -- those who mix, load, or apply agricultural

pesticides; clean or repair pesticide application equipment; or assist  OSHA's Safety and Health Topic page on Respiratory Protection.

with the application of pesticides in any way.  OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page on Cotton Dust.

 Agricultural workers -- those who perform tasks related to the  NIOSH Hazard Control page on Control of Organic Dusts From Bedding

cultivation and harvesting of plants on farms or in greenhouses, Choppers in Dairy Barns.

nurseries, or forests. Workers include anyone employed for any type of  OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page on Ventilation.

compensation (including self-employed) doing tasks -- such as carrying

ZOONOTIC INFECTIONS & RELATED HAZARDS
nursery stock, repotting plants, or watering -- related to the production
Zoonoses are infectious diseases common to animals and humans. As new
of agricultural plants on an agricultural establishment. Workers
infections evolve, the numbers and types of zoonoses change. More recent
do not include office employees, truck drivers, mechanics, and any
types of these infections include avian flu, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
others not engaged in handling, cultivation, or harvesting activities.
aureus (MRSA) and West Nile virus. The agricultural worker's risk of acquiring
The WPS contains requirements for pesticide safety training, notification of
a zoonotic infection varies with the type and species of animal and the
pesticide applications, use of personal protective equipment, restricted-entry
geographic location.
intervals after pesticide application, decontamination supplies, and emergency
The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Veterinary
medical assistance. While EPA covers the use of respirators in the application
Infection Control Committee [562 KB PDF, 20 pages] have identified several
of pesticides, OSHA's Safety and Health Topic page on Respiratory
methods to prevent zoonotic infections, including:
Protection provides general information on respirator use and OSHA standards

that may apply with the use of other chemicals.  Personal protective actions and equipment, such as, hand hygiene, the

Hazard Communication. Chemicals must be properly labeled so farmworkers use of appropriate gloves and outer protection, facial and respiratory

know the identity and hazards of the chemicals they may be exposed to at protection and the tracking of aggressive animals, so that restraints are
work. OSHA has information to assist employers and workers ensure that used when necessary.
hazard communication is properly addressed in their workplaces. In addition,
 Environmental infection control, such as cleaning and disinfecting
certain OSHA standards address hazard communications. As explained
surfaces and equipment, vaccinating healthy animals, isolating diseased
in1910.1200(b)(5)(i), pesticides covered under FIFRA are exempt from the
animals, disposing of infected tissues or dead animals appropriately
OSHA labeling requirements since EPA regulates these labels.
and controlling the infestation of pests which can be a carrier of these

RESPIRATORY DISTRESS infections.

Respiratory hazards. Respiratory hazards. Respiratory hazards in barns,  Worker health, such as vaccinating workers and providing proper

manure pits, machinery and silos range from acute to chronic air training.

contaminants. Farmworkers' most common respiratory hazards are Worker health, such as vaccinating workers and providing proper

bioaerosols, such as organic dusts, microorganisms, and endotoxins and training. Worker health, such as vaccinating workers and providing proper
7

chemical toxicants from the breakdown of grain and animal waste. Inorganic training. The National Association of State Public Health

dust, from silicates in harvesting and tilling, is prevalent but less significant. 6
Veterinarians, Veterinary Infection Control Committee [562 KB PDF, 20 pages]

Changes to farming mechanisms have both improved working conditions and have identified several methods to prevent needlestick and related injuries,

increased exposure to respiratory hazards—mainly due to the increased including:

density in animal confinement. 6

 Having an approved sharps container,

  Never removing the needle cap with one's mouth, Noise and Hearing Conservation - OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page

 Avoiding the recapping of needles, on Occupational Noise Exposure provides a comprehensive review of the

 Wearing the appropriate personal protection equipment, such as hazards of noise, the means of protection, as well as OSHA requirements.

gloves.
OTHER HAZARDS

Farmworkers may face a number of other hazards due to being outside. The
NOISE
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH's) Workplace
Thousands of workers every year suffer from preventable hearing loss due to

high workplace noise levels, and research has shown that those who live and Safety and Health Topics page onHazards to Outdoor Workers includes

work on farms have had significantly higher rates of hearing loss than the information on:

general population. In fact, farming is among the occupations recognized as

8

 Other Biological Hazards. These include vector-borne diseases,

having the highest risks for hearing loss. 9

venomous wildlife and insects, and poisonous plants.

Tractors, forage harvesters, silage blowers, chain saws, skid-steer loaders,
 Extreme Cold.
grain dryers, squealing pigs and guns are some of the most typical sources of
 Lightning.
noise on the farm. Studies suggest that lengthy exposure to these high sound

levels have resulted in noise-induced hearing loss to farmworkers of all ages,  Ultraviolet Radiation.

including teenagers. Hearing loss is not as dramatic nor as sudden as an injury

Confined Space. Besides grain storage, farmworkers face dangers in entering

from a tractor overturn or machine entanglement, but it is permanent. other confined spaces such as:

Employers can achieve noise reduction in several ways - usually related to the
 Manure pits.
maintenance of the equipment:
 Flat storage buildings.

 Worn, loose, or unbalanced machine parts can increase decibel levels  Tanks.

during operation. Regular lubrication and parts replacement (bearings, A NIOSH Alert publication, Preventing Deaths of Farm Workers in Manure Pits,

mufflers, silencers, etc.,) reduce friction and lower noise levels. provides basic guidance. In addition, OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page

on Confined Space, provides further guidance on different types of confined

 Larger engines that can be operated at lower speeds reduce noise
spaces.
levels, and may even conserve fuel.
Skin Disorders. Workers in the agricultural sector are at risk of potentially
 Vibration isolation pads may be installed under the legs of noisy
harmful exposures of the skin. The NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health Topics
equipment to reduce noise generated by the equipment vibrating on a
page on Skin Exposures & Effectsprovides information on the different types
cement floor.
of exposures and the associated hazards.
 Newer chainsaws and leaf blowers have flexible mountings to reduce
Electrical Hazards. Electrical hazards in agriculture range from the dangers of
vibration-induced noise as well.
hitting overhead wires when using large equipment to the possibility of hitting
 Tractor and skid-steers can be purchased with sound reducing cabs
underground wires when digging. OSHA's page on Electrical Safety and the
and tightly fitted cab doors and windows to reduce how much outside
NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health Topics page on Electrical Safety provide
noise reaches the operator.
resources on preventing a range of electrical accidents.
 Acoustical materials may be installed on walls and ceilings to enclose

sound.

In addition, employers may provide workers with personal protective

equipment (PPE) but must train them in using the PPE correctly. OSHA's

Safety and Health Topics Page on PPE describes proper use of personal

protective equipment.