Hired crop worker injuries on farms in the United States: A comparison of two survey periods from the National Agricultural Workers Survey

BACKGROUND: Hired crop workers in the United States are at high risk of occupational injury. Targeted surveillance is important for effective occupational safety efforts. METHODS: The National Agricultural Workers Survey was utilized to collect injury data during the years 1999, 2002-2004 (period I) and 2008-2010 (period II). RESULTS: The overall injury rate declined between the two periods from 4.3 to 2.9/100 per full-time week-based equivalents (FTEWB ). Injury rates remained high during both periods for those with greater than 20 years farm experience (3.6 and 3.8/100 FTEWB ) and pesticide handling work (4.9 and 5.0/100 FTEWB ). Overexertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls from height were common during both periods. Older workers comprised a greater proportion of injury cases in period II. CONCLUSION: Overexertion that leads to sprains/strains, dangerous ladder use, and pesticide use should be targeted as important risk exposures on the farm. Am. J. Ind. Med. © Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.© 2016 Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Language: en