Spinal Cord Injuries To Farmers In Kentucky Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe injuries in the agricultural industry, and can cause paralysis and even death. A single cause of spinal injuries cannot be pinpointed because factors such as carelessness, fatigue, equipment, speed, time, and use of safety measures each play a role. Spinal cord injury on farms usually happen because of tractor overturns, falls, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Tractors play a major role in death and injury among farmers. Incidents include being pinned beneath an overturned tractor, running into or over something, falling from the tractor, or the tractor rolling over with the operator. Being thrown from the tractor greatly increases the chances of spinal injury. A survey of Kentucky farmers showed that one of every nine farmers had rolled a tractor at least one time. Other situations can lead to injury as well, such as having extra riders on the tractor or starting the tractor from the ground (bypass starting). Many spinal cord injuries result from other sources on the farm. Simple daily and seasonal work such as painting, repairing roofs, hanging tobacco, and farm maintenance chores can result in spinal injury. Falls frequently result from slipping because of poor traction or not wearing suitable shoes when climbing. Climbing on unstable surfaces, like temporary rails or ladders, often results in falls as well. You don't have to be up high to be injured, though! Falls from as low as three feet can result in spinal injury.