Fall Prevention
According to OSHA, 15% all accidental deaths involve slips, trips, and falls, second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.
Falls are the most frequent cause of injury on farms. Paying attention to places where falls occur can prevent an accident or injury. Extra caution should be taken when working from elevated surfaces, such as ladders or mobile equipment. Same level falls occur when working around livestock or horticultural operations. The back is the most frequently injured part of the body, followed by joints.
Several resources exist for more information of work safe strategies.
- Prevention of Slips, Trips, and Falls (PDF) (Univ of FL Extension)
- Fall Injuries Prevention in the Workplace (CDC)
- Prevention of Falls in the Transport of Livestock (PDF) (Worksafe of Australia)
Maine AgrAbility has the following Back Health Guide available to download or request through the mail.