Safety and Injury Characteristics of Youth Farmworkers in North Carolina: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ABSTRACTAgriculture is a unique US industry in how youth are involved. Youth employed in agriculture experience high rates of injury, and youth migrant and seasonal farmworkers may be extremely vulnerable. The primary aim for this analysis is to describe the personal characteristics, work characteristics, occupational safety behaviors, and occupational injuries of North Carolina youth farmworkers. This pilot study uses data from interviewer-administered questionnaires with 87 youth farmworkers. Participants included males (62.1%) and females (37.9%), with 26.4% aged 10–13 years, 39.1% 14–15 years, and 34.5% 16–17 years. The majority (78.2%) were born in the United States. Most worked in tobacco (46.0%), sweet potatoes (28.7%), and berries (28.7%). They were paid by the hour (54.0%) and piece rate (55.2%); 21.8% reported a problem getting paid the amount earned. Three quarters wore a hat, and 63.2% wore gloves while working. Five (5.7%) had received pesticide use training in the past year. Over half reported a musculoskeletal injury (54.0%), a traumatic injury (60.9%), or a dermatological injury (72.4%) in the last year. Six of the injuries led to medical treatment, and 10 resulted in missed school or work. Farmworker youth in North Carolina are at times not treated fairly when they work, occupational safety behaviors are limited (increasing exposure to pesticides and other environmental hazards), and they commonly experience injuries. Research on the occupational exposures and health experienced by youth farmworkers is needed to inform policy. Changes in policy are warranted to improve the safety of youth farmworkers.