Occupational accidents and occupational diseases in seasonal agricultural workers in terms of occupational health and safety

In this study, the available data on the subject has been examined, the subject has been evaluated within the scope of labor law and occupational health and safety laws and regulations, and solutions have been tried to be presented. In the agricultural sector, data on occupational accidents and occupational diseases encountered by seasonal agricultural workers, especially during their work, have been examined, and the causes and solution proposals for the prevention of these negative situations have been tried to be conveyed by researching many sources. The demand for agricultural products, which have an important place to meet the needs of people, has increased with the increase in the population. In order to meet this demand, more workers were needed than other sectors. Major risk factors such as exposure to agricultural machinery, pesticides and other chemicals, agricultural-related traffic accidents, snake and scorpion bites, insect bites, and poisoning with polluted water can be seen in workers working in agriculture. Diseases and accidents that agricultural workers may encounter emerge as an important problem. This situation reveals how important the issue is in terms of occupational health and safety. It is estimated that about half of the deaths due to occupational accidents occur in the agricultural sector. Machinery and chemicals used in agriculture are the two main causes of accidents and diseases. The reasons why agricultural workers do not have the necessary awareness in terms of occupational health and safety show similarities in underdeveloped and developing countries. Reasons such as the low level of education, the fact that the majority of the employees are women and child workers, and the high number of seasonal workers can be counted. Of course, this situation prevents the development of occupational health and safety in agriculture, especially in seasonal workers. Due to the fact that seasonal agricultural workers do not have social security, these occupational accidents are not reported to the relevant authorities. This situation limits access to precise and healthy statistical information. Periodic relocations of seasonal (mobile) agricultural workers also make it difficult to keep reliable data. Keywords: Occupational accident, occupational disease, occupational health and safety, labor force, seasonal worker.