Agricultural work is innately dangerous. Working in close proximity to livestock can lead to physical injuries or exposure to infectious materials. Working with crops can prove dangerous due to the chemicals used for cultivation and pest management. The heavy equipment used to farm is also a potential safety hazard.
While the spring is planting season and the fall is harvest season for many crops, the winter is also a busy time for agricultural professionals. There are many tasks required, ranging from pruning trees in orchards to meeting the daily needs of livestock. Additionally, there are multiple safety hazards that can lead to agricultural professional injuries or worse during the coldest part of the year specifically, including the three common hazards below.
1. Cold exposure
Agricultural professionals often need to be outside in even the worst weather. Spending hours outside in sub-zero weather can create a variety of challenges, ranging from the risk of frostbite and nerve damage to the way that cold weather can potentially aggravate pre-existing heart issues. Farmers and their employees may need to take regular breaks and wear multiple layers to stay warm. They may also need to seek shelter from the wind throughout their work shifts to minimize their risk of cold-related medical issues.
2. Slippery surfaces
Snow and ice create opportunities for people to slip and fall. Agricultural workers caring for animals or working in open fields could slip on icy surfaces and sustain significant injuries. They could break bones or injure their brains if they fall abruptly. For those pruning trees in orchards, ladders can be especially dangerous in cold weather. The ladder itself can become slippery, and keeping contact with the ground can be more challenging due to snow and ice on the ground.
3. Machinery issue
Human bodies aren’t the only objects that can slip in icy conditions. Tractors and other agricultural equipment may struggle to retain traction on icy surfaces. In some cases, people operating machinery could be at risk of tip-over incidents, which are a leading cause of serious injuries to agricultural workers. When there are multiple professionals present, there’s also the risk of one person losing control of machinery due to slick surfaces and striking other workers or items that can then collapse and fall onto other people nearby.
Those injured in farm incidents may need support as they look into their options for covering their expenses, and that’s okay. Workers’ compensation benefits can potentially help injured agricultural professionals hurt due to winter weather conditions on a farm.