Stress and Injuries

About the Series

Welcome to the fourth fact sheet in our series, offered by Penn State Extension! Inside, you'll discover helpful insights, practical strategies for implementing important safety protocols, and advice and techniques for achieving optimal personal health and wellness.

We're here to talk about something important: your well-being. We know farming is incredibly tough, and recent data highlight your challenges. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), "the fatal injury rate in 2019 for crop production workers was 17.4 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers." In 2021, Penn State researchers looked at emergency room admissions across the United States over four years. They found more than 60,000 people were treated for nonfatal, agricultural-related injuries (Gorucu, Michael, and Chege, 2021). The primary source of injury was tractor turnovers. They affect physical health and create financial stress, with each overturn costing an average of $1 million (ASHCA, 2015).

Furthermore, limited access to mental health care professionals in rural communities, with Pennsylvania meeting only 38% of the need, adds to the stress (Health Resources and Services Administration, 2019). But here's the thing: Your well-being matters deeply. All of us need to recognize our stressors and actively manage them. Doing so can create a safer, healthier farming environment for everyone. Remember, you're not alone. Stay strong, stay safe, and take care, farmers! Your resilience is truly inspiring.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or in a crisis, call 988 or text 741741 for help.

Signs and Symptoms of Stress

(Source: Windon et al., n.d.)

• Lethargy, body fatigue
• Reduced sexual interest
• Loneliness, avoidance
• Panic attacks
• Racing thoughts
• Increased smoking/drinking
• Trouble adapting

Field Stories: Confronting Stress

A dairy farm wife from western Pennsylvania suddenly and unexpectedly lost her husband. But the farm still demanded her attention: The cows still needed to be milked and fed, and the crops still needed tending. Thankfully, her community stepped in and stepped up. Friends and neighbors helped so that she and her family could grieve, and the farm could keep functioning. Together, they devised a plan allowing them to harvest the crops for that year and continue to care for the livestock. Because of the support from the ag community, the wife could decide how to handle the future of the farm.

Strategy: Farm Stress Real Talk Podcast

Join the Penn State Extension Farm Stress Real Talk podcast, where we explore the real-life tales of farmers. These episodes offer insights and practical advice, from navigating regulations to coping with unexpected accidents and weather woes.

Recent topics have included the following:

• Regulatory overload
• Disease outbreaks
• Navigating farming financial stressors
• Dealing with farm-related accidents

Safety First

(Source: Fetzer et al., 2022)

Equip Workers with Harnesses and Lifelines

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Grain Handling Facilities Standard, employers must supply appropriately fitting body harnesses with lifelines for individuals entering a grain storage facility, ensuring safety during emergencies. A recent standard suggests grain bins produced after 2018 should incorporate lifelines and anchor points to prevent accidents. It's essential to evaluate each grain bin's conditions to determine the suitability for anchor points and lifeline systems.

Inspect and Repair Grain Bins

For bins constructed post-2018, contacting the manufacturer is advised. Retrofitting older bins requires assessment by a structural engineer. They can evaluate any rust and variations in foundations, walls, and roofs. While a guidance document can help, the engineer's judgment is crucial. Retrofitting is just one aspect; adhering to best practices is crucial, as detailed in Penn State Extension's article on reducing grain bin entry and falls (Penn State Extension, 2009). 

For More Information

Call

• AgriStress Helpline: 833-897-2474 (24/7).
• National Suicide Hotline: 988.
• Rural Response Hotline: 800-464-0258 Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free personal counseling and financial/legal services.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Listen

Penn State Extension hosts a concise, practical, real-talk podcast on farm stress.

Visit

For more information about this publication or the Farm Stress initiative, see Penn State Team Responding to Farm Stress.

References

Agricultural Safety and Healthy Council of America. ASHCA 2015 Ag Safety Fact Sheet.

Fetzer L, Gorucu S, and Bock R. 2022. "Retrofitting On-Farm Grain Bins." Penn State Extension.

Gorucu S, Michael J, and Chege K. 2021. Nonfatal Agricultural Injuries Treated in Emergency Departments: 2015-2019. Journal of Agromedicine, 27 (1), 41–50.

Health Resources and Services Administration. 2019. "Table 5. Mental Health Care Professional Shortage Areas, by State, as of December 31, 2023: Mental Health Care HPSA Total for Pennsylvania."

Morning Consult. 2017. "American Farm Bureau Federation: Polling Presentation." 171015 AFB Opioids LE (hagstromreport.com)

Mulhollem J. 2021. "Study Reveals Agriculture-Related Injuries Are More Numerous Than Previously Known."

National Ag Safety Database, Agricultural Safety & Health Council of America. 2015. "Ag Safety Fact Sheet."

Penn State Extension. 2009. "Best Practices and Products to Reduce Grain Bin Entry."

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2021. "Injuries, Illnesses, and Death in Agriculture, 2015-2019."

Windon S, Plaza CH, Spackman AE, and Robotham D. (n.d.). "The Farmer Stress Management Toolbox Part 2."