Cold Injury Claims For Farmhands

It is important to know that cold injury claims are possible for farmhands. While these injuries are often overlooked, they may occur occur when workers are exposed to extreme weather conditions on farms.

Working in agriculture has many hazards including contact with machinery, incidents involving animals, transportation, manual handling or trips and falls. However working outside resulting in adverse freezing conditions can lead to serious health issues for farmworkers.

If you believe you may have a claim for compensation, then Jefferies Claims may be able to assist.

Farm workers are essential to the agriculture sector and given our icy winter conditions, prolonged outdoor work can put farmhands at risk. Added to this,  wet and windy condition can exacerbate the effects of cold stress. Cold injuries include various conditions generally affecting the extremities such as hands, feet and even ears. If you are a farmhand who has suffered in extreme cold, here are the two categories of injury :  non-freezing cold injuries (NFCIs) and freezing cold injuries (FCIs).

Cold Stress Health Issues

Exposure to cold environments can lead to several health issues collectively referred to as cold stress. These include:

1. Frostbite: This occurs when the skin and underlying tissues freeze, leading to numbness, skin discoloration and potential tissue death.
2. Hypothermia: A severe condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, and loss of coordination.
3. Trench Foot: Caused by prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions, trench foot leads to numbness, swelling, and tissue damage.
4. Chilblains: These are painful inflammations of small blood vessels in the skin, resulting from repeated exposure to cold but non-freezing temperatures. Symptoms include redness, itching, and blistering.

Factors Contributing to Cold Injury Claims for Farmworkers

While employers should have protocols in place to avoid any harm to workers, several factors increase your risk of farm cold-related injuries:

• Prolonged Exposure: Tasks such as harvesting, tending to livestock, and equipment maintenance often require extended periods outdoors, increasing the risk of cold stress.
• Wet Conditions: Working in wet environments, whether due to weather or tasks involving water, can accelerate heat loss from the body, leading to conditions like trench foot.
• Inadequate Clothing: Lack of proper protective clothing can leave workers vulnerable to the cold.
• Physical Exertion: High levels of physical activity can lead to sweating, which, in cold conditions, can increase heat loss and the risk of hypothermia.

Preventive Measures

To mitigate the risk of cold-related injuries on farms, the following measures are recommended:

1. Proper Clothing: Workers should wear appropriate clothing that provides insulation and protection against wind and moisture. Layering is effective, as it allows for adjustment based on activity level and temperature.
2. Scheduled Breaks: Regular breaks in warm, sheltered areas can help workers maintain body temperature and reduce the risk of cold stress.
3. Education and Training: Farmhands should be trained to recognize the symptoms of cold-related injuries and understand the importance of preventive measures.
4. Monitoring Weather Conditions: Employers should monitor weather forecasts and adjust work schedules to minimize exposure during extreme cold conditions.
5. Provision of Warm Drinks: Offering warm, non-alcoholic drinks can help maintain core body temperature.
6. Engineering Controls: Where possible, the use of radiant heaters or windbreaks can reduce exposure to cold environments.

Your Next Steps if You Have Suffered From a Cold Stress Injury

Cold stress injuries are considered as a significant occupational hazard which may result in severe health consequences for if you are  working outside in the cold.

To find out if you have a potential claim,  contact Jefferies Claims. We work with lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis and we will take you through the process so you can get the compensation you deserve. To find out more about making a claim, contact our team on 0333 358 3034. Alternatively, complete our online contact form to arrange an initial no-obligation telephone consultation.