Evaluation of accidents and work-related injuries among farmers of Shahreza in Isfahan province in 2022

F Kargar-Shouroki; S Sodaei; GH Halvani

doi:10.18502/tkj.v16i4.17562

F Kargar-Shouroki Industrial Diseases Research Center, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
S Sodaei Industrial Diseases Research Center, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
GH Halvani Industrial Diseases Research Center, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v16i4.17562

Keywords: Fall, Tractor, Work-related farm injury, Farmers, Accident

Abstract

Introduction: Agriculture industry is associated with the serious work-related injuries. The aims of this study were to determine type, cause, and frequency of accidents as well as injured body part, and to evaluate the association between accident type, , demographic information, and injured body part among the agricultural workers.

Materials and Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the injuries noted in the medical records of 98 injured farmers in Shahreza, located in Isfahan Province, in 2022 were analyzed..

Results: The results of the study indicated that the highest number of accidents were fallen (59.20 %), the most injuries were to hands and arm (70 %), and the main cause of injuries were machinery (45.90 %), especially tractors (57.80 %). Age and education level showed a notable correlation with the type of accidents among the farmers. The greatest declines were noted among with less than a high school diploma (61.50%) and in age group of 51-65 years old (52.60%). There was a statistically significant association between accident type and injury, with the fall accident resulted in 65.70% hand and arm injuries, 50% neck injuries and 65.60% leg injuries. Additionally, the highest occurrence of accidents and effective three-month average were observed in July and August, respectively.

Conclusion: The rising incidence of vehicle overturns and falls suggests that the design features and use of safety belts should be evaluated. Concerning the majority of hand and arm injuries noted during falls, particularly in middle-aged adults without a high school diploma, it is recommended that workers received training on farm safety to reduce the agricultural injuries.