The economic cost of farm-related fatalities in Australia.

Farm-related fatalities are a significant problem in Australian agriculture. Over the period 2001-2004, there were 404 fatalities that occurred as a direct consequence of visiting, residing, or working on a farm. This study employed a human capital approach to establish the economic costs of farm-related fatalities to the Australian economy. Modeling of direct and indirect costs associated with farm-related fatalities estimated that the 404 traumatic deaths over the period 2001-2004 cost the Australian economy $650.6 million in 2008 Australian dollars (AUD). This equates to 2.7% of the 2008 farm gross domestic product (GDP) due to potentially preventable farm accidents and injuries. Farm-related deaths are a significant economic cost to the Australian economy. Greater resources need to be directed to farm health and safety interventions to increase their effectiveness at reducing the risk exposure of those visiting, residing, and working on Australian farms.

Hearing screening program impact on noise reduction strategies.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the New South Wales Rural Hearing Conservation Program on the implementation of personal hearing protection (PHP) and noise management strategies among farmers who had participated in this program in New South Wales, Australia. A follow-up survey of a random sample of people screened through the New South Wales Rural Hearing Conservation Program was linked to their baseline data. The use of PHP at baseline was compared to use at follow-up in four specific scenarios: use with non-cabbed tractors, with chainsaws, with firearms, and in workshops. For non-cabbed tractors, the net gain in PHP use was 13.3%; the net gain was 20.8% for chainsaws, 6.7% for firearms, and 21.3% for workshops. Older farmers and those with a family history of hearing loss were less likely to maintain or improve PHP use. Those with severe hearing loss, males, and participants reporting hearing problems in situations where background noise was present were more likely to maintain or improve PHP use. Forty-one percent of farmers had initiated other strategies to reduce noise exposure beyond the use of PHP, which included engineering, maintenance, and noise avoidance solutions. The early (hopefully) identification of hearing deficit in farmers and farm workers can help promote behavior change and help reinforce a farm culture that supports hearing conservation. The continuation and expansion of hearing screening programs such as these should be encouraged as basic public health strategy in farming communities.

Factors affecting farm noise during common agricultural activities.

Hearing injury due to exposure to excessive noise during common farming activities is a significant problem for farmers. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that affect the level of risk to hearing caused by common farming activities. Noise levels on farms were measured across a range of activities and producer groups, and situational factors that effect noise levels were also investigated. Older tractors were found to be 6 dB louder than newer tractors. Cabs reduced noise to the operator by 16 dB, which was halved to 8 dB if a door was open. Radios added between 3 and 5 dB to the noise in the cab. These variables significantly affect the noise level at the ear of operators and others in the workplace, and affect the subsequent exposure limits that are considered safe. Situational factors need to be considered in assessing the level of risk to farmers' hearing and in choosing noise management strategies on the farm. This information has been incorporated into material about hearing and discussions with farmers who participated in field day hearing screening programs in Australia.

An insight into the grain auger injury problem in Queensland, Australia.

Grain auger-related injuries were studied by examining the injury data obtained from the Queensland worker's compensation database. Close to 60% of 52 claimants were male employees in the 20 to 34 age group. Fingers, hands, and arms were affected in 65% of all cases, and the auger flighting was involved in 60% of claims. The severity of auger-related injuries is reflected in the high average cost of claims and number of working days lost, which were more than double the all-industries values. Injuries involving the auger flighting are three times more costly (in time and money) than the all-industries values. More claims were made during winter and towards the end of summer, with the majority of injuries occurring in the animal industries. Most incidents occurred in the early or middle periods of a working shift. In addition, two focus group meetings were held to gain a broader perspective of the grain auger injury picture in Queensland, Australia. Focus group participants suggested that the operator's state of mind and attitude to safety are important, while the auger's age, type, and shielding were cited as important risk factors. They suggested that older augers are less likely to be adequately shielded, and mobile augers are most likely to be involved in injury events. The information gained from this study is being used to develop strategies to help farmers minimize injuries associated with the use of grain augers.

Farm noise emissions during common agricultural activities.

Noise injury in agriculture is a significant yet often unrecognized problem. Many farmers, farm workers, and family members are exposed to noise levels above recommended levels and have greater hearing loss than their non-farming contemporaries. The aim of this study was to gather up-to-date information on farm noise levels and to enhance the quality of information available to assist farmers in reducing noise exposure and meeting Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations regarding noise management. Farm visits were conducted on 48 agricultural establishments that produce a range of commodities. Noise levels were measured at the ears of operators and bystanders involved in typical activities on farms. The average and peak noise levels were measured for 56 types of machinery or sites of farming activity, totaling 298 separate items and activities. Common noise hazards identified included firearms, tractors without cabs, workshop tools, small motors (e.g., chainsaws, augers, pumps), manual handling of pigs, shearing sheds, older cabbed tractors, and heavy machinery such as harvesters, bulldozers, and cotton module presses. We found that use of firearms without hearing protection presents a pressing hearing health priority. However, farming activities involving machinery used for prolonged periods also present significant risks to farmers' hearing health. Noise management strategies on the farm are essential in order to prevent noise injury among farmers.

Farming and mental health problems and mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Farmers experience one of the highest rates of suicide of any industry and there is growing evidence that those involved in farming are at higher risk of developing mental health problems. This article provides an overview of the literature examining mental health issues experienced by farming populations in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States and identifies areas for further research. METHOD: A literature review (Medline, Science Direct, Ingenta, Proquest and PsychINFO) was carried out using the words 'farmers', 'agriculture', 'depression', 'mental health', 'mental illness', 'stress', and 'suicide', as well as a review of relevant papers and publications known to the authors. (Papers not written in English and those published prior to 1985 were excluded.) RESULTS: Fifty-two papers were identified with the majority focusing on stress and coping styles in farmers (24). A number of studies also focused on neuropsychological functioning and agricultural chemical use (7), depression (7), suicide (9), general mental health (4) and injury and mental health (1). This body of research studied male farmers, female farmers, farm workers, farming families, and young people living on farms. Research to date indicates that farmers, farm workers and their respective families face an array of stressors related to the physical environment, structure of farming families and the economic difficulties and uncertainties associated with farming which may be detrimental to their mental health. CONCLUSION: Whilst suicide rates in some groups of farmers are higher than the general population, conclusive data do not exist to indicate whether farmers and farming families experience higher rates of mental health problems compared with the non-farming community. It is clear, however, that farming is associated with a unique set of characteristics that is potentially hazardous to mental health and requires further research.

Recall of farm hazards in Australian primary school age children using a 3-d visual cue test.

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of the 'Spot the Hazard' farm safety resource which employs 3-D visual stimuli to develop rudimentary risk assessment skills in children. Primary school children from three local schools in north-west New South Wales were presented with the resource and talked about the farm hazards present. Children's recall of the hazards and the extent to which they compared the resource to their own farm was assessed after an initial presentation at post-tests of 1, 14 and 28 days, across three experimental groups. Individual differences in achievement were controlled for using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Screener (WIAT). Analysis revealed that children exposed to the resource recalled significantly more hazards and made more comparisons to their own farm experiences than controls. However, differences on individual achievement were observed between groups due to a lack of randomisation. Farm safety educational resources for children are more effective when verbal and nonverbal strategies are used and when children are exposed to such cues repeatedly. The development of farm safety educational resources for children which employ spatial cues is encouraged. Further clarification of results would entail a more rigorous randomised control trial.

Farm-related fatalities involving children in Australia, 1989-92.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the types of and circumstances surrounding unintentional farm-related fatal injuries involving children aged less than 15 years in Australia. METHODS: Information concerning 115 deaths were obtained from inspection of coronial files for the period 1989-92. RESULTS: Children less than 15 years made up 20% of all unintentional farm-related fatalities in Australia, with children less than 5 years representing 63% of all child fatalities. The majority of children were fatally injured while bystanders to farm work and equipment used on the farm (including dams), with drowning the most common mechanism of the fatal incident for children aged both 5 years or less and 5-9 years. Vehicle accidents were common for children aged 10-14 years. CONCLUSIONS: Children are exposed to various hazards in the farming environment and as such are at risk of being injured. IMPLICATIONS: This study has highlighted a number of particular hazards for children on farms, with drowning, transport and tractor-related injuries of particular concern. A national strategy for child safety on farms has been developed by Farmsafe Australia aimed at providing a nationally co-ordinated plan for improving child safety on farms.

Agricultural work-related fatalities in Australia, 1989-1992.

Farm-related fatalities in Australia were studied as part of a larger study of all work-related traumatic fatalities from 1989-1992. Information concerning 373 unintentional work-related fatalities was obtained from inspection of coronial files and described. The fatality rate per 100,000 workers was four times higher for agricultural industry workers (20.6) compared to the all-industry rate during the same time frame (5.5). Males comprised 95% of all agricultural work-related deaths. Agents such as farm vehicles, mobile farm machinery (mainly tractors), and farm structures (mainly dams) were among the most common involved in the fatal incident. Being hit by moving objects, vehicle accidents, and rollovers of mobile machinery (mainly tractors) were among the most common mechanisms of fatal injury on farms. Transport for work purposes, working with animals, working with crops, and maintenance were the most common activities being undertaken. The information obtained from this study is being used to develop health and safety risk profiles for agricultural industries, and these profiles are being used in turn to develop guidance material for farmers, on-farm checklists, and other tools to help farmers manage their occupational health and safety risk.

Non-work-related farm fatalities in Australia, 1989-1992.

This study aims to examine farm fatalities, between 1989-1992 in Australia, of individuals not working at the time of the incident. Non-work-related farm fatalities in Australia were studied as part of a larger study of all work-related traumatic fatalities from 1989-1992. Information on 214 unintentional non-work-related farm fatalities was obtained from inspection of coronial files. The information was examined according to type of bystander (bystander to work or bystander to farm equipment) and other farm deaths. Agents such as dams, tractors, utilities, and cars were among the most common causes of death for bystanders involved in fatal incidents. Fire and smoke, creeks or rivers, and cars were the most common agents for other farm deaths. Drowning, vehicle accidents, and being hit by moving objects were among the most common mechanisms of fatal injury for non-work-related farm deaths. The information gained from this study has been used to develop the Child Safety on Farms Strategy for Farmsafe Australia and Farmsafe Australia's Farm Machinery Safety Strategy.