Many farmers enjoy what they do, even though they know that farming is very dangerous work. There are many risks in the farm work environment, and accidents that cause severe injury or death are not uncommon. From accidents involving large, heavy animals to accidents involving machinery, danger is everywhere on the farm. Drainage ditches, water storage ponds, and manure lagoons create drowning risks. Fall hazards are everywhere, and some of them, including silos and grain bins, even create a risk of entrapment and suffocation in addition to the injuries that a worker could sustain in a fall.
Some farm-related injuries, like tractor roll-overs, are preventable. Unfortunately, not all farms use equipment that has the latest safety features, like devices which can prevent injuries and death from tractor roll-over accidents. Farm equipment causes many injuries, and older pieces of machinery may not have proper safety guards. Some farm workers operate dangerous machinery without proper training. Also, regular maintenance and safety checks that could prevent equipment failure and equipment-related injuries are sometimes overlooked when there is a lot of work to do.
Farm workers are also at risk for chronic injuries. Exposure to noxious gases and dust can cause lung diseases. Pesticides and other chemicals found in farm environments can cause cancer and other health problems. Heavy lifting and repetitive motion can cause chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders.
The physical conditions of farm work environments are not the only dangers that are present there. There are other challenges which may make it difficult for farmers to work safely. For example, time constraints imposed by nature create pressure for farm workers to complete tasks like planting and harvesting within limited windows of opportunity. Sometimes, weather conditions reduce the available time even more, giving farmers even fewer days to complete time-sensitive tasks. These time-related job pressures can lead to long work hours and fatigue, which can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Some farm workers are more likely to be involved in workplace accidents than others. Interestingly enough, these workers, who are often under fifteen years of age or over sixty five, are not often found in other types of work environments. The laws that regulate farming permit these individuals to work on farms, even though they might not qualify for other non-farm work opportunities.
Barrett Law PLLC: Assisting Mississippi Farm Workers With Workers’ Compensation Claims
The experienced Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC provide top-quality legal assistance to injured farm employees across the state. At Barrett Law PLLC, we understand how hard it is for many farm workers face to obtain full coverage for their work related injuries. We are committed to helping you get the results you need from the complex workers’ compensation process by pursuing satisfactory resolution of your workers’ compensation claim while you work on making a full physical recovery. Call the dedicated workers’ compensation attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.
