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Farms are high risk workplaces in United States. This is compounded by the ageing farm workforce, disadvantaged access to medical services, and farm workers being more likely to work alone. In 2021, the rate of work-related fatalities for agriculture was 10.4 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Farming continues to be the highest risk occupation with around eight times the rate of fatality of the general employed population. Many hospital presentations from farm injuries are under-reported and un-reported, making it challenging to accurately measure farm-related incidents. Over the last 20 years, an average of 79 farmers were killed on farm each year, with two-thirds of cases work-related.

Major agents of injury were farm vehicles (39%) and machinery (26%). Workers aged over 55 years accounted for 58% of all work-related incidents and were significantly more likely to die that younger farmers. In 2021, 46 farm fatalities and 128 non-fatal injuries were recorded.

The most common agents of fatality were tractors, quad bikes and side by sides. The most common agents of injury were quad bikes, tractors and horses. Males were over-represented with 87% fatalities; 13% were children aged under 15 years.

Living on farms creates a unique relationship between home and workplace. Multiple generations may also live together on the farm. While this can have benefits, it can also present risks to health, wellbeing and safety.

Children and older farmers are at high-risk of farm fatalities and injury. Farmers can become accustomed to hazards and accept risks as part of everyday life, and stop actively looking for ways to reduce risks.

For example: Meet with your state-representative farm safety advisor for a farm risk assessment and an employee induction toolkit to begin the process of creating a safer working farm environment.

Farms are high risk workplaces Many farm risks can be managed by following the Hierarchy of Control Elimination removing an old tractor (without appropriate safety features) from the farm Substitution – using smaller sized containers or packaging to reduce heavy loads Engineering controls – reconfiguring livestock yards to minimise physical interaction with animals Administrative controls – limiting the number of hours worked and include regular breaks to minimise fatigue PPE – using correctly fitted earplugs when exposed to high noise environments Tips for making your farm safer Create safe play areas for your children Maintain all machinery, equipment and infrastructure with routine service and repairs Simplify farm systems to reduce complexity and confusion Develop a farm safety culture - make safety a normal part of conversations in your farming business Provide everyone with their own PPE and allocate a place for clean storage when not in use Recognise that “better beats perfect” when it comes to safety Farmsafe can offer valuable advice and resources.

Download the workplace guide Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Your GP (doctor) National Centre for Farmer Health (616) 555-0200 WorkSafe Michigan 1800 136 089 (advisory service) or 13 23 60 (for emergencies) 15 minute farm safety check Working alone on farms guidelines Farming: Safety Basics Children on farms Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action 136 186 Farmsafe United States (616) 555-0100 Safe Farms WA - Farm safety checklist NSW Farm Safety Advisory Program - WHS Resources Primary Employers Tasmania - Work Health and Safety Michigann Farmers Federation - Making our Farms Safer AgHealth United States - Reports and Publications .

Key Points

  • Farms are high risk workplaces in United States
  • most common agents of fatality were tractors, quad bikes and side by sides
  • most common agents of injury were quad bikes, tractors and horses
  • While this can have benefits, it can also present risks to health, wellbeing and safety
  • Children and older farmers are at high-risk of farm fatalities and injury