The Agriculture sector in many countries ranks amongst the most hazardous of industries due to the high risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries. In the Caribbean, farming is one of the few industries where family members who work and live on the same premises are also at risk for fatal and non-fatal injuries. Some injuries associated with agriculture are stress, hearing loss, pesticide exposure, musculoskeletal disorders, and pulmonary disease.
Farm vehicles contribute to agricultural injuries. These accidents can cause grievous harm to plants and equipment, property, and the vehicle itself. Poor management control is usually the root cause of these accidents. Effective and appropriate safety management practices can help to control these workplace transport risks.
To prevent workplace transport issues, employers should look carefully at all the vehicles and ensure appropriate vehicles are being used in the work area. Vehicles should compatible with the working environment, and maintenance for vehicles should be in good standing i.e. steering, tires, lights, mirrors, braking system, and specific safety systems. Drivers of these vehicles should be supervised.
Farm vehicles come in unique sizes, especially as heavy machinery is needed to clear whole fields of crops. Farm helpers are often needed to assist operators in backing up and hitching farm vehicles (tractor or truck). Farm helpers should stand outside the path of the vehicle, while it backs up slowly at a slow speed towards the equipment. Other cautionary measures should be undertaken to uphold safety guidelines such as inspecting hydraulic and electrical connections, inspecting equipment, and ensuring ASABE hand signals are coordinated, understood, and used.
For more information, check out our sources below!
Source:
HSA – Workplace Transport
ILO – Vehicles in the workplace
OSHA – Preventing Farm Vehicle Backover Incidents
CDC – Agricultural Safety
