Thursday, July 07, 2022

Report: 33 minors are seriously hurt on farms every day, and one dies from ag-related injuries about every three days

Farming remains the deadliest job for minors in the U.S., according to a newly released fact sheet on childhood farming injuries from the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety. Here are some highlights from the report:

  • Fatalities among youth working on farms outnumber those from all other industries combined.
  • Between 2001 and 2015, 48% of all occupational fatalities to minors were agriculture-related.
  • At least 33 minors (those under age 18) are seriously hurt in an agricultural setting every day.
  • One minor dies in an ag-related accident about every three days.
  • The leading source of such fatalities involve transportation (47%) such as all-terrain vehicles and tractors.
  • Another 20% of farming fatalities for youth involve contact with machinery such as skid steers, and 13% involve violent contact with animals and other humans.
  • Youth under age 16 are 12 times more likely to sustain an ATV injury (fatal or nonfatal) than adults.
The organization's website has materials on ATV safety, a youth farm safety checklist, and work guidelines for all ages.

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