Common Blueberry Farmworker Hazards and Conditions

Health Hazard Facts: Results from a 3 year NEC surveillance study taking place in ME, MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA and MD at federally-funded Migrant Health Centers. Injury and Illness events were documented in patient medical charts and close to 1700 injuries and illnesses were identified in all commodities.

In general, blueberry rakers work mostly in stooped posture and carry heavy buckets of blueberries frequently. To rake blueberry bushes with the most efficiency, a worker must use repetitive and forceful motions, creating the potential for various injuries and illnesses.