There was another fatal farm accident recently where a 17 year old young man tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle.
Farming has always been dangerous, and when a young person loses their life or is injured it’s always a shock to the local community. I live on a farm with my family north of Kingston, on the way to Perth and Lanark County and the Ottawa Valley. Farming is a joy and a privilege, but big machinery, hard work and unpredictable weather and unpredictable animals can make for dangerous circumstances.
Common Types of Farming Accidents in Canada
Tractor Accidents
Tractors are essential to modern farming operations, but they also pose significant risks. Common tractor-related accidents include rollovers, collisions, and entanglements with machinery. Despite safety measures, rollovers are particularly dangerous and can result in severe injury or death.
Machinery Accidents
Farming involves a variety of machinery, such as combine harvesters, balers, and augers. These machines can cause serious injuries, including amputations, crush injuries, and lacerations. Many of these accidents occur due to equipment malfunction, improper use, or lack of adequate safety training.
Falls
Falls from heights are a frequent cause of injuries on farms. Workers may fall from ladders, silos, barn roofs, or haylofts. These falls can result in fractures, head injuries, and other serious conditions. Ensuring proper use of safety equipment and regular maintenance of ladders and other climbing structures can help reduce these risks.
Animal-Related Injuries
Handling livestock can be unpredictable and dangerous. Injuries from animals, including kicks, bites, and tramplings, are common on farms. Cattle, horses, and other large animals can cause significant harm if not handled properly or if they become startled.
Chemical Exposure
Farmers frequently use pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that can be harmful if not handled correctly. Exposure to these chemicals can cause respiratory issues, skin conditions, and long-term health problems such as cancer. Proper storage, use of protective gear, and adherence to safety protocols are crucial in preventing chemical-related injuries.
Grain Bin Accidents
Grain bins pose a unique set of hazards. Workers can become trapped in flowing grain, leading to suffocation or crush injuries. Grain bin safety requires stringent protocols and the use of harnesses and other safety equipment to prevent such accidents.
Heat Stress and Dehydration
Working long hours in the sun, especially during peak summer months, can lead to heat stress and dehydration. These conditions can quickly escalate to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Adequate hydration, regular breaks, and protective clothing are essential to mitigate these risks.
Entrapment and Suffocation
Silos, manure pits, and other confined spaces on farms can be extremely dangerous. Entrapment and suffocation accidents can occur when workers enter these spaces without proper ventilation or safety precautions. Implementing confined space entry protocols is vital to prevent such tragedies.
Electrical Accidents
Electrical systems on farms, including those used for irrigation, lighting, and machinery, can be hazardous if not properly maintained. Electrocution and electrical burns are potential risks. Ensuring regular inspections and adherence to electrical safety standards can reduce the likelihood of these accidents.
Transportation Accidents
Transporting goods, equipment, or livestock can lead to road accidents involving farm vehicles. Collisions with other vehicles, rollovers, and incidents while loading or unloading can result in severe injuries. Adhering to road safety regulations and proper vehicle maintenance are key to preventing transportation-related accidents.
Farming accidents can happen on someone’s own family farm, or on the farm of a neighbour or an employer. The insurance situation and liability or negligence factors at play are different in each case. The situations vary but many farming accidents happen while digging ditches or repairing other infrastructure, doing hay or crops, or moving animals.
When someone is injured or killed on their own property, it can often be challenging to obtain insurance coverage as people are usually not covered for their own injuries under their own home or farm insurance. However if the injury arises from an insured vehicle (an ATV, dirt bike, UTV/side-by-side, or truck) then there is going to be Accident Benefits coverage.
If the injury occurs on someone else’s farm while you are helping them, then there often will be coverage through that other farm’s insurance. We call these “friendly lawsuits” but they often can be quite contentious, but when someone has lifetime care needs it’s important that insurance coverage is obtained.
After a serious injury on a farm, whether it’s from a horse riding injury, a tractor injury or a truck or ATV accident or crash, it’s important that you contact an injury lawyer as soon as possible to understand what insurance coverage is available
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Warren WhiteKnight is a Lawyer and Partner at Bergeron Clifford LLP. He is based in the firm’s Kingston office but travels throughout Eastern Ontario each week as clients’ needs require. He holds a Certified Civil Litigation Specialist designation by Law Society of Ontario.
Warren is a Queen’s Law graduate where he achieved top 10% standing all three years, and received numerous course prizes and scholarships. He has been the Past President of the Frontenac Law Association.
Warren regularly represents his clients in court and tribunal proceedings and has an excellent track record of achieving results both in court and in out of court settlements.
