Systematic review of ag injuries can help inform safety measures

Agricultural Injuries: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Agricultural occupations are hazardous with one of the highest rates of workplace injuries and fatalities in the U.S. The manual and often strenuous nature of the work, combined with the use of machinery and exposure to environmental hazards create a challenging work environment. Understanding the nature and causes of injuries can help improve safety guidelines and policy measures. However, obtaining a comprehensive overview of injuries is hindered by the absence of a central reporting system. Two new papers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provide a systematic review of academic literature on agricultural injuries in the U.S. and globally.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Data Collection Challenges

“When it comes to agriculture, there’s no single source for injury data. In other occupations, work injuries in the U.S. must be reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but farm work is often exempt from these requirements because many farms are small and have less than 10 full-time employees,” said Salah Issa, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) and an Illinois Extension specialist; both units are part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at Illinois. ABE is also part of The Grainger College of Engineering at Illinois.

“There have been a lot of grassroots efforts to track surveillance data, but they are based on different methods so it’s hard to get a complete look at agricultural injuries. Our work combines results into one large dataset, providing a comprehensive overview of previous research,” Issa explained.

Study 1: U.S. and Canada

The researchers conducted a systematic literature review of 48 academic papers published in the U.S. and Canada from 1985 to 2022. They identified five different surveillance methods: newspaper clippings, surveys, death certificates, hospital records and emergency medical services (EMS) data, and multiple sources. The researchers also analyzed and categorized information such as the type and source of injury, the event leading up to it, and the gender of the victim.

Key Findings from Study 1

1. Vehicles (including tractors and ATVs) were the most common source of injury, with over 55,000 incidents reported, as well as the leading source of fatalities.
2. Other significant causes of injury included machinery, slips and trips, animals, chemicals, and tools.
3. Men were more than twice as likely as women to be victims of injury.
4. Age varied by surveillance method, with newspaper clippings skewed to younger victims (22% of incidents) and death certificates skewed to older victims (30% over 65).

Study 2: Global Perspective

The researchers reviewed 69 articles from 17 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the U.S., Canada, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Austria, Italy, and others. The main data sources identified in these studies were hospital records, surveys, government records (including death certificates), insurance claims, and multiple sources.

Key Findings from Study 2

1. Tractors stand out as the leading cause of fatal incidents, with tractor overturns accounting for 45% of all machinery-related incidents in North America.
2. Injuries linked to agricultural machinery significantly contribute to both fatal and non-fatal incidents.
3. Animals represent a higher percentage of injuries and fatalities in Asian countries compared to North America and Europe, likely due to less automation and extensive use of animals in farming.

Conclusion

The research shows that agriculture is a dangerous occupation globally, with injuries reported in at least three continents. Vehicles and machinery play a significant role in injuries and fatalities. The type of surveillance method employed has a significant impact on the results, highlighting the need for evaluating and using multiple sources to obtain a comprehensive understanding of agricultural injuries. Understanding the nature and source of injuries is crucial for developing educational programs and interventions to improve safety in the agricultural sector.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
– SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
– SDG 5: Gender Equality
– SDG 2: Zero Hunger (indirectly)

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:
– Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers
– Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
– Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life
– Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women (indirectly)

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Number of workplace injuries and fatalities in the agricultural sector
– Percentage of agricultural workers covered by occupational safety and health regulations
– Number of injuries and fatalities caused by exposure to chemicals in the agricultural sector
– Ratio of male to female victims of agricultural injuries

The article provides information on the nature and causes of injuries in the agricultural sector, including the types of incidents (e.g., vehicle-related, machinery-related), sources of injuries (e.g., vehicles, machinery, animals), and gender disparities in victimization. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: beefmagazine.com

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