G.
Casey
NIOSH Education and Information Division
The
goal of the Agricultural Health Nurse Program in New York
is to identify and prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities
on farms across the state. The agricultural nurses in New
York focus on several areas for their investigations. These
include severe injuries, fatalities, respiratory diseases
and chemical poisonings. Cases of severe stress that develop
as a result of accidents, extreme weather or other calamities
are also investigated. Children were not originally a specific
target area; however, as investigations of farm accidents
proceeded, the nurses began to see a number of incidents involving
children.
Investigations
of farm accidents include a site visit or telephone contact
to interview the injured farmer and his or her family. All
fatalities and accidents that fall into the targeted categories
always result in a site visit. Information concerning the
accident is gathered and recommendations regarding injury
prevention is offered. The nurses may also make referrals
for rehabilitative services, support groups or financial counseling.
Often a follow-up visit or phone call is made to inquire about
the progress of the injured farmer and the family.
Since
1991, the nurses have investigated 438 farm incidents. The
majority of the farmers in the program are white and the average
age is 40 years. Less than half of the accidents (43%) occurred
among full-time farmers. Farm employees accounted for 20%
of the accidents; children were involved in 12% of the incidents.
Of the
accidents investigated, 190 injuries were severe enough to
require hospitalization. The nurses have also investigated
54 fatalities. The average age of farmers who died as a result
of their injuries was 48 years.
Machinery
was involved in 217 (50%) of the injuries and animals were
the cause of 46 (11%) of the investigated injuries. Tractors
alone account for 24% of the overall incidents on the farms
and 47% of the injuries involving farm machinery.
Of the
fatalities, accidents involving farm machinery resulted in
33 (58%) deaths. Tractors were responsible for 40% of the
overall fatalities and 70% of the fatalities involving machinery.
Animals caused 4 (7%) of the deaths. Other causes of death
include asphyxiation, drownings, accidental shooting and suicide.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
research abstract was extracted from a portion of the proceedings
of "Agricultural Safety and Health: Detection, Prevention
and Intervention," a conference presented by the Ohio State
University and the Ohio Department of Health, sponsored by
the Centers for Disease Control/National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health.
The
author noted above is from: At the New York State Department
of Health.
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