Do you or does someone you love work on a farm in Minnesota? If so, you know both the great joy that can come from this line of work as well as the hazards that may be faced on a daily basis. Whether work is performed on a farm that grows agriculture, raises animals or collects and processes dairy products, the number of dangers that workers encounter everyday are many. The injuries and illnesses that may arise from these dangers can leave people with lifelong problems and, in some cases, may even take their lives.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, exposure to potentially harmful chemicals such as pesticides is one problem that people don’t always think of when they think about a farming illness or injury. Yet, workers who are around these things put themsevles at risk if they are not properly trained and protected from irritants. Some workers must perform tasks in odd positions or that require repetitive motions. In these cases, injuries in the muscles or skeleton may result.
Proper training on how to use machinery, equipment and vehicles is essential to help workers prevent accidents. Also important here is appropriate and regular maintenance of these machines, equipment and vehicles. Safety protocols for working in and around grain bins and silos must be considered a top priority as well.
If you would like to learn more about the types of dangers faced by workers on farms and how employers should keep people safe, please feel free to visit the agricultural employee safety page of our Minnesota workplace injury and illness website.
