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Agriculture
is one of the most dangerous professions. Tractors and agricultural
machinery cause the majority of deaths and serious injuries in the
fields. It is very important for workers to exercise extreme caution
when working with or around agricultural machinery. Employers are
required to provide training to workers before they operate or repair
machinery. Moving parts of machinery are especially dangerous, and must
have an appropriate guard or shield to protect the worker. It is
illegal and extremely dangerous to remove these guards. Workers should
never mount or dismount a moving vehicle, and it is generally illegal to
operate a tractor without a driver stationed at the controls. Machinery
must be turned off and disconnected from power source before most
repairs. Newer, larger tractors must have rollover protection (a metal
bar over the driver’s seat) and seat belts.
Sadly, some
growers do not comply with state and federal regulations. Frequently,
AWHP advocates spot “driverless tractors”, which are illegal. This
occurs when the driver of the tractor puts the tractor in motion and
then jumps off the slowly moving tractor to join the other farm workers
who are harvesting crops. Some growers encourage this practice, because
they believe having a driver on the tractor is a “waste of money.” This
practice injures or kills workers, however, because there is not a
driver to stop the tractor should a worker fall in front of or under the
tractor. Many other workers are injured or killed when they ride on
moving farm machinery without a proper seat. Farm workers have also
been injured working near conveyor belts and pulleys which are not
properly protected.
AWHP
advocates monitor dangerous conditions in the fields and report
driverless tractors and other hazards to appropriate authorities. AWHP
advocates educate farm workers about machine safety, and offer advice
and representation to farm workers. AWHP advocates also work to ensure
that employers do not retaliate against workers who complain about
unsafe conditions or who refuse to work under unsafe conditions. If you
have a question about your rights, please contact one of our offices.
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