California can be wonderfully hospitable to farming. It’s a rare day when the sun isn’t there to shine life upon the earth and all of the growing things upon it. Plants of all types, from edible to decorative, thrive in California. However, sometimes the people taking care of those plants don’t fare as well. The same conditions that are such a boon to plants can prove equally dangerous to humans. There were a reported 21,000 injuries reported to agricultural workers in the US during the years 2021 and 2022, although accidents are widely under reported. There are ways to help mitigate these risks, but only when you know about them. While there’s a lot to look out for, these are the greatest risk factors for farm workers in California.
Heat and Sun
The sun is one of the ultimate ironies of farming in California. It’s the reason why the market is so intense in the area. Many crops can be continually farmed thanks to the warm climate. And many plants that wouldn’t be viable almost anywhere else in the United States can be grown in California. However, the very thing that makes California so appealing is also among its greatest detriments. Every year seems to be hotter than the last. The heat is often severe enough to impede healthy but sedentary people. But someone laboring under that hot sun faces far more dangers. Some of the most significant are heat exhaustion, dehydration, and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. For example, someone with a very minor heart issue might face real danger of a heart attack if he’s working in extreme heat.
The hydration issues might seem more manageable at first. However, consider how focused you get when engaged in physical labor in the hot sun. It’s easy to become so involved in the work that you don’t even notice how thirsty you are. Likewise, it’s easy to suffer from sunburns without even noticing. The latter is even more of an issue given that rates of skin cancer are on the rise in California.
These dangers can often be combated by wearing protective but loose clothing and taking occasional breaks to get some water. Likewise, this can be combined with a short break in the shade. This isn’t always easy to work into a busy schedule. However, the risks of not doing so are typically worse than needing to alter a schedule.
Pesticides
It can be easy to get too much sun without realizing it. But it’s even easier to expose yourself to pesticides when doing farm work. After all, pesticides are usually needed for healthy crops. However, the same elements that harm insects will harm people if they don’t take the proper precautions. And it’s estimated that only 57% of farm workers in California who work with the substances have received adequate pesticide training. Unfortunately, this often requires a shared desire to rectify the situation between all of the parties involved. Workers need to take the initiative and explain their concerns if they’re presented with pesticide-related tasks they’re unprepared for. Likewise, management needs to take measures to improve and expand training.
On the Job Accidents
On-the-job accidents are the most obvious dangers for farm work. These include everything from equipment-related accidents to falls. This is another difficult element to properly safeguard against because of its dual nature. Both the workers and management need to work together to help prevent accidents. As with pesticides, workers need proper training on all equipment to ensure their safety. Likewise, management needs to remember that this protects both workers and their business. Safe workers mean continued productivity.
Farm workers are also at risk if they overestimate themselves. Many people feel that they’re up to more of a physical challenge than they actually are and forgo safety considerations such as harnesses. Workers need to always comply with safety measures to protect themselves.
