title: Hired crop worker injuries on farms in the United States: A comparison of two survey periods from the National Agricultural Workers Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hired crop workers in the United States are at high risk of occupational injury. Targeted surveillance is important for effective occupational safety efforts.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Agricultural Workers Survey was utilized to collect injury data during the years 1999, 2002-2004 (period I) and 2008-2010 (period II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall injury rate declined between the two periods from 4.3 to 2.9/100 per full-time week-based equivalents (FTEWB ). Injury rates remained high during both periods for those with greater than 20 years farm experience (3.6 and 3.8/100 FTEWB ) and pesticide handling work (4.9 and 5.0/100 FTEWB ). Overexertion, contact with objects and equipment, and falls from height were common during both periods. Older workers comprised a greater proportion of injury cases in period II.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overexertion that leads to sprains/strains, dangerous ladder use, and pesticide use should be targeted as important risk exposures on the farm.
authors.affiliation: Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Theresa R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Tonozzi
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Larry A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Layne
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003288:Contusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D000069599:Crop Production / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D005082:Physical Exertion; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides
keywords: crop workers; farm labor; foreign-born workers; injury rate; occupational injuries