Falls account for 13% of work accidents among farmers and agricultural workers, according to the MSA.
This is one of the dangers that threatens farmers: the fall. Each year, it represents 4000 work accidents in the agricultural world, according to the MSA (Mutualité sociale agricole). In an attempt to stem this phenomenon within this population, the Social Security for agricultural professionals has decided to carry out preventive actions.
On the sidelines of the Salon de l’Agriculture, the city of Villepinte (Seine-Saint-Denis) hosts the exhibition of agricultural suppliers, the SIMA. On this occasion, the MSA recalls in a press release that falls represent 13% of all accidents recorded among operators (more than 2,800 between 2004 and 2012) for a total cost of 9.9 million euros. Among agricultural workers, they constitute nearly 10% of work accidents (3,970 between 2004 and 2012) and cost 35 million euros.
Tractor lowering
The number of work-related accidents with lost time and their cost have decreased, however, underlines the MSA. However, falls from heights remain the third leading cause of death following accidents in the agricultural sector.
A quarter of these accidents occur when employees and operators get on or off a farm vehicle, says the MSA. The highest mortality linked to high positions is observed during work on the roofs of buildings, and on platforms.
It is therefore on these levers that the MSA intends to act. “To reduce the risk, you have to start by thinking about your organization: is there a way to intervene while remaining on the ground? For example, with the use of tools on a pole? “.
The agricultural mutual also recommends, before getting off the tractor, to “always use suitable work shoes, go down facing the tractor, without jumping, vehicle stationary, hand brake applied”. In fact, tractor accidents due to falling on ascent or descent represent 40% of tractor accidents, whether for employees or operators, adds the MSA.
.
