NIOSH Brochure

Worker Safety on the Farm
Delivering on the Nation’s promise
Safety and health at work for all people
Through research and prevention

U.S. Farm Operations and Adult
Farm Workers*

Fatal Adult Work-related Farm
Injuries, 2003-2007**

In 2007, 2.2 million farms were in operation in
the U.S.

From 2003 to 2007, 2,233 workers 20 years of
age and older died in agricultural production
(25.9 deaths/100,000 workers).

Approximately 5.3 million adults worked on
U.S. farms in 2004, including 1.8 million hired
workers and 3.5 million adult family members.

Twenty-seven percent (603) of deaths were to
hired workers.

The majority of farms in the U.S. do not utilize
hired workers. Less than 20% (434,000) of
farms reported having hired workers 20 years
of age and older.

To receive NIOSH documents or for more
information about occupational safety and
health topics, contact:

Of the 2,233 workers who died on farms,
40% (888) were 65 years of age or older.
Tractors were the most common source of
fatalities (36%), and overturns were the most
common cause of death (365 deaths).

In 2006, an estimated 59% of the 4.2 million
tractors in use were equipped with a roll-over
protective structure (ROPS).

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

Non-fatal Adult Work-related Farm

Injuries, 2004*

Adult Work-related Tractor Fatalities in
Agriculture by Event, 2003-2007**

Visit the NIOSH Web site at:

An estimated 80,300 work-related injuries
occurred to adults on farms (9.2 injuries
every hour).

Visit the NIOSH Agricultural Safety
Topic Page at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aginjury/

Almost 75% (58,600) of the injuries were to
adults living on the farm.
The most common types of injuries were
sprains, strains, and torn ligaments (22%),
fractures (15%), and cuts (13%).

View additional publications related to
childhood agricultural injury at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/childag

The most common sources of injury were
animals (16%), the ground (16%; usually from
falls), and tractors (5%).

500
400

Fatalities

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

365

300

243

200
115
100

48

37

Vehicle
collisions

Caught in
equipment

0
Overturns

Run-overs

All other
events

Event

SAFER · HEALTHIER · PEOPLE™
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2010-137
March 2010
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

* Worker counts and non-fatal data were obtained from the 2004
Occupational Injury Surveillance of Production Agriculture.
Worker and injury counts exclude contract laborers.

**Fatality data were obtained with restricted access to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Calculations
by NIOSH may differ from those published by BLS and views
expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of BLS.

Tractor Safety

Machinery Safety

Fall Safety
Man Dies in Tractor Overturn

All tractors should be equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). Limit
use of tractors not equipped with ROPS.
A seatbelt should always be used when
operating a tractor equipped with ROPS.
Avoid crossing slopes whenever possible
and use appropriate speeds for operating
conditions.
Do not allow extra riders on tractors and
other farm equipment; follow the “ONE
SEAT-ONE RIDER” rule*.
Hitch only to the drawbar and hitch points
that the manufacturer recommends.
When transporting materials using a
loader, keep bucket in lowered position.
Lower hydraulic equipment to the ground
when not in use; if the hydraulic lines lose
pressure raised equipment can lower
suddenly—crushing anything, or anyone,
underneath.
Use available handholds and care when
getting on or off the tractor; slips and falls
cause injuries.
Know and follow medication labeling;
some medications may impair judgment
and/or ability to operate vehicles or
machinery.
Always start the tractor from the operator’s
seat with the transmission and power takeoff in neutral and the parking brake
engaged. You should never bypass-start a
tractor.
Ensure that tractors are properly shut
down after each use.
* Training seats are designated for training purposes only.

Familiarize yourself with specific hazards
associated with your machinery and ATV.
Safe operating procedures are available in the
owner’s manual.

Do not overextend your body when working
from a ladder or scaffolding.

Do not carry passengers on ATVs designed for
a single rider.

Utilize the “three-point system,” meaning
that three of your four limbs are in contact
with the ladder or vehicle at all times, either
one hand and two feet, or two hands and one
foot.

Be aware of the risk of overturn when operating
an ATV. Use extra caution on uneven terrain
and ensure that all loads are appropriately
balanced.

Ladders and scaffolding should be in good
repair and positioned appropriately.

Avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry and
keep hair tied back when operating machinery.

Inspect your farm regularly. Provide
adequate lighting and make sure floors are
properly cleaned.

Ensure completion of regular machine
maintenance and inspection of safety guards.

Shoes should have slip resistant soles and
low heels.

Do not make modifications to machinery not
recommended by the manufacturer,
including removing safety shields.

All hay and grain chutes and openings should
be securely covered when not in use.

Always wear appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) when operating machinery,
for example helmets with ATVs.

Animal Safety
Avoid quick movements and loud noises
when working around animals.
Be aware of animal behavioral characteristics.
Movement in an animal’s blind spots may
startle it.
Animal pens should include person-gates to
allow for a quick escape.
Always maintain an escape route when
working with animals in close quarters, such
as chutes and stalls.
Use corral designs that facilitate the safe
movement of animals.

Open elevated spaces should be guarded by
a fixed railing: top-rail, mid-rail, and toeboard.
Farm operators who hire workers should
be aware of all applicable labor laws.

Hired Worker Safety

2005 — A man was crushed when the
tractor he was operating with a full
load of rocks in the front-end loader
overturned. The older tractor with a
tricycle front axle was not equipped
with a ROPS and did not have counterweights installed. With the bucket
raised to nearly hood height, the
operator drove it forward at a slight
upward angle on an uneven slope causing the tractor to suddenly overturn.

For More Information
NIOSH Agricultural Centers
Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/agctrhom.html
National Agricultural Safety Database
Web: www.cdc.gov/nasd

Provide relevant training for each
employee and follow-up with direct
communications to ensure understanding.

National Safety Council
National Education Center for Agricultural
Safety
Telephone: 888-844-6322
Web: www.nsc.org/necas

Provide direct supervision when workers
are performing dangerous duties,
particularly when the worker is new to
the activity.

U.S. Department of Labor
Telephone: 1-866-4-USA-DOL
Web: www.dol.gov/

Ensure there are no language barriers
limiting the effectiveness of training or
supervision.

National Farm Medicine Center

Web: www.marshfieldclinic.org/nfmc/