Deadly Drops: How to Prevent Falls from Heights and Save Lives on the Farm

Falls from heights are a significant hazard on farms, leading to severe injuries and fatalities. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), approximately 20,000 agricultural injuries between 2021 and 2022 resulted in missed work time. Falls are a major cause of these injuries, especially for older farmers. Preventing these “deadly drops” requires a comprehensive approach that includes hazard identification, safety measures, and proper training.

Understanding the Risks of Falls on the Farm

Farms present numerous fall hazards due to the nature of the work and the environment. Common scenarios include:

Working at Heights: This includes tasks performed on silos, roofs, windmills, and elevated machinery. Falls from these heights can result in severe injuries or death.
Ladders: Ladders are frequently used for various tasks, such as accessing equipment, buildings, and performing maintenance. Improper ladder use or defective ladders can lead to falls.
Machinery: Climbing on and off tractors, harvesters, and other large equipment poses a risk of slips and falls.
Uneven Surfaces: Farms often have uneven terrain, including sloping roofs, uncovered wells, and tripping hazards like clutter and debris.
Livestock: Working around animals can be dangerous, as they may push or shove workers, causing them to fall.

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death for farm workers. Common hazards include animals, motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), working at heights in silos or on tractors, harvesters, cherry pickers or windmills, uneven surfaces and uncovered wells. Older farmers are most at risk. Simple safety measures can reduce the danger.

Implementing Fall Prevention Strategies

To mitigate the risk of falls, farms should implement the following strategies:

1. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Regular Inspections: Conduct regular inspections of the farm to identify potential fall hazards, such as loose railings, cluttered walkways, and slick spots.
Safety Audits: Perform regular risk assessments and safety audits of the farm and its equipment.
Checklists: Develop a checklist of potential falling hazards on the farm.
Farm Safety Plan: Add fall risks and safety strategies to the farm safety plan and discuss safety issues with family and other workers.

2. Engineering Controls

Guardrails: Install guardrails around elevated platforms, open-sided floors, and runways.
Handrails: Install handrails on equipment such as tractors, trucks, and machinery, and along walkways, ramps, and loading docks.
Non-Slip Surfaces: Use non-slip tape on ladders and non-slip matting in the workshop. Replace old steps with non-slip metal mesh and a rail.
Ladder Safety: Ensure ladders are in good working order and appropriate for the weight loads. Fit ladder rungs with non-slip grips.
Safety Nets: Use scaffolding safety nets as a protective barrier, reducing the risk of falls from heights.
Covers: Fit ground-level wells and underground tunnels with covers. Place warning signs around the opening to mark its location.

3. Administrative Controls

Training: Provide comprehensive training to all farmworkers on fall prevention strategies, ladder safety, and the proper use of equipment.
Safety Procedures: Review safety protocols and procedures with employees and family members.
Workplace Regulations: Be aware that workplace regulations require you to control any risk of falls from heights of two metres (about the height of a doorway) or more.
Emergency Plan: Ensure there is an emergency plan in case of a fall.
Ladder Spotters: When using a ladder, make sure someone is around to spot the ladder while someone climbs on it.
Three-Point Contact: Maintain three points of contact when climbing ladders or equipment.
Proper Lighting: Install good lighting, especially around sheds. Use reflective fluorescent tape or paint to highlight steps, pathways, and rungs.
Weather Awareness: Stay updated on weather changes and work around them accordingly.
Declutter: Keep pathways and work areas clear of obstacles.
Regular Breaks: Tired employees and team members lead to injuries. Make sure you are keeping track of yourself and team members and allowing breaks when needed.

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Safety Harnesses: When working at heights, use an appropriate safety harness.
Non-Slip Footwear: Wear well-fitted boots with non-slip soles. Select footwear based on which anti-slip properties it has for the work you will be doing.
Head Protection: Wear a hard hat when there is a risk of head injury from falling objects.

5. Ladder Safety Best Practices

Ladder Selection: Make sure you have the right ladder, type and height for the job.
Ladder Inspection: Make sure the ladder (and ladder’s feet!) are in good condition before using.
Angle: Set the ladder at the correct angle (the base should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height).
Secure the Ladder: Ensure the ladder is tied or footed to prevent slipping.
Three Points of Contact: Keep three points of contact with the ladder and avoid stretching where your belt buckle goes outside the stiles of the ladder.
One Person at a Time: One ladder, one person.
Top Steps: Never stand or sit on the top two steps.

6. Scaffolding Safety

Proper Construction: Ensure scaffolding is properly built and inspected by a competent person.
Weight Capacity: Know the weight capacity of the scaffold.
Guardrails: Ensure all work areas and access platforms are fitted with guard rails.
Safety Belts and Lanyards: Use safety belts and lanyards when working on scaffolding at a height of 10 feet or more above ground level.
Netting: Always use netting to catch anything that falls.
Weather Conditions: Don’t use a scaffold during adverse weather conditions.
Mobile Scaffolds: Don’t move a mobile scaffold if anyone is on it.

Legal Implications and Liability

Farm owners and operators have a legal responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees. Failure to do so can result in liability for injuries sustained in a fall.

Employer Liability: Owners and operators of farms may be liable for negligence resulting in an employee’s injuries (i.e., failing to provide safe working conditions, necessary equipment, etc.).
Product Liability: If a fall is caused by defective equipment, the manufacturer may be held liable.
Third-Party Liability: Third parties, such as truck drivers or contractors, may be liable if their negligence causes a fall.

The Cost of Falls

Falls can result in significant financial burdens for farms, including:

Medical Expenses: Costs associated with treating injuries sustained in a fall.
Lost Wages: Compensation for lost work time due to injury.
Lost Productivity: Disruption of farm operations and decreased output.
Insurance Costs: Farm losses also have the potential to raise your insurance prices.
Legal Fees: Expenses related to defending against liability claims.

Seeking Legal Assistance

If you or a loved one has been injured in a farm accident involving a fall from height, it is essential to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

Conclusion

Preventing deadly drops on the farm requires a proactive and comprehensive approach to safety. By implementing the strategies outlined above, farms can significantly reduce the risk of falls and create a safer working environment for everyone. Remember, a small investment in safety can prevent a significant loss of time, resources, or even a life.