When considering the most dangerous jobs in Britain Farming may not be the first job to spring to mind. However, in recent months the occupation has hit the headlines, reporting two fatalities in September 2008 alone.
There are a number of different factors that make Farming one of the most dangerous occupations. Vehicles, machinery and animal handling account for the majority of fatal accidents in the agricultural industry. Falling from heights is also another, this is due a large number of agricultural buildings having thin roofing that is unable to bear the weight of an average man.
It is reported that one in twenty injuries on farms are related to falling from or through fragile roofs. Lifting and handling heavy machinery, feed etc should always be avoided where possible and instead the appropriate equipment such as a folk lift be used instead. Hazardous substances such as fertilizers, pesticides and animal medication are also huge dangers and should all always be correctly handled and stored away. Further information on the correct procedures can be found on the defra site.
Another common injury often contracted by farmers and labourers is whole body vibration (WBV) The use of tractors and other mobile agricultural machinery over long periods of time can lead to WBV. The most common effect of WBV is pain the lower back. Chronic WBV exposures however, may irritate spinal tissues. This can result in inflammation which can lead further to degeneration of the intervertebral discs.
If you believe that you may have suffered a personal injury and would like one of our expert team to assess the surrounding circumstances and your eligibility to receive compensation please contact us on 0800 634 75 75