Agricultural Industry

Agriculture is a major industry in the U.S. and includes growing and harvesting crops such as corn, cotton, soybeans, and fruit, as well as livestock, poultry, and other animals to provide products such as beef, chicken eggs, dairy, and wool.

Farmworkers are at high risk for fatalities and injuries, work-related lung diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, skin diseases, and certain cancers associated with chemical use and prolonged sun exposure.

Transportation incidents, which include tractor overturns and roadway crashes, were the leading cause of death for farmers and farm workers. Other leading causes were contact with objects and equipment, violence by other person or animals, and falls, slips and trips.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the agricultural, forestry, fishing and hunting industry experienced one of the highest fatal injury rates at 20 deaths per 100,000 full time workers, compared to a rate of 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers for all U.S. industries. There is a clear need for employees working in the agricultural industry to know the potential hazards they may be exposed to and how to protect themselves.

Agricultural operations are covered by several Occupational Safety and Health standards including Agriculture (29 CFR 1928), General Industry (29 CFR 1910), and the General Duty Clause.

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