Citation

Carstensen O, Lauritsen J, Rasmussen K. J. Agric. Saf. Health 1995; 1(4): 231-239.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, American Society of Agricultural Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to obtain detailed knowledge of fatal and nonfatal unintentional injuries and working conditions related to farming for purposes of designing possible preventive interventions. The study is geographically restricted to one county in Denmark with 270,000 inhabitants, 13,835 of whom are engaged in fulltime farming on 7,922 farms. Most farms are owned and operated by single families. Production is focused on only one of three types: swine, dairy or crop. The study is based on injuries treated at local hospitals. A total of 257 farm injuries were reported during the period 1 January to 31 December 1992. The results do not indicate any single preventive effort, but some aspects are considered important. The majority of injuries occurred near or in production buildings during work with animals and machinery. Approximately one-third of the injured persons were employed part-time in farming. A three times higher incidence was seen among 15- to 29-year-old farmers than among older farmers. Fractures were seen more often after injuries in which animals were involved. Seventy-four cases (30.7%) reported "unusual" conditions on the day of the incident. When asked directly 73 (30.3%) stated that they had changed routines of work or equipment as a consequence of the injury. Comparisons with other studies indicate the necessity of careful data collection on both etiology and injury statistics.