According to INAIL data, the sector considered to be the riskiest in terms of accidents, along with construction, is agriculture.

The greatest risks are related to:

• uneven terrain that does not allow mechanisation of practices and requires manual intervention; the high use of often unskilled labour;
• the handling of bulky equipment and machinery on uneven terrain;
• the use of obsolete equipment;
• the tendency of operators, driven by competition, to save money.

In the autumn period, some of the most common agricultural activities in Italy intensify: the apple and olive harvests. For both productions, Italy ranks second in Europe.

Awareness-raising among operators through appropriate communications is intensified, or at least should be (e.g. INAIL Oleare in sicurezza campaign).

One of the most frequent causes of accidents among agricultural workers is the fall from height (for maintenance work on barns, silos and roofs and especially for the use of portable ladders).

When choosing the most suitable ladder for agricultural use, one must take into account:

• Height to reach: choose a staircase with an appropriate number of steps.
• Manoeuvring space available between plants and rows
• Type of ladder: stable on soft ground, with non-slip steps or rungs, lightweight, possibly with wide feet to prevent sinking.
• Load-bearing capacity: capable of supporting at least 100 kg and guaranteeing a comfortable long stay on the steps.

Correct use also requires that it is used by only one operator at a time, that during the ascent and descent phases both hands are resting on the uprights, that the rungs are clean, and that it is secured at the point closest to the pick-up point.