Agricultural Dust Exposures and Health and Safety Practices among Western Australian Wheatbelt Farmers during Harvest.

Krassi Rumchev,Ryan Mead-Hunter,Linda Selvey,Suzanne Gilbey,Ben Mullins,Kevin Netto

doi:10.3390/ijerph16245009

Abstract

Background: Agricultural farmworkers are routinely exposed to high levels of airborne dust particles that have been linked to adverse health outcomes. Methods: This study measured personal and environmental exposures to dust particulates by farmworkers during harvesting activities. Farmers completed a workplace survey with regards to their health and safety awareness and practices and researchers observed general farm safety practices on selected farms using a checklist. Results: In this study, farmers were noted to commonly work extended hours and shifts during harvest due to rigid timing deadlines. Results showed that 40% of farmers were exposed to concentrations of inhalable particles greater than SafeWork Australia’s workplace exposure standards for grain dusts, assuming a 16 h working day over 5 shifts. Twenty-two percent were exposed to concentrations that were above the adjusted standard for 12 h shifts. Survey results showed that three-quarters of farm owners provided new workers with some type of induction related to farm safety, however this was mostly undertaken in an arbitrary manner. Despite noting that farming was a dusty occupation and reporting to use protective measures to reduce harmful dust exposures, no workers were observed to wear respiratory protection when working outside of the protection of a vehicle cabin. Conclusion: This study identified substantial gaps in health and safety knowledge among farm managers and workers, and improved education and training are highly recommended.

Highlights

Farming in Australia is considered a key industry with a fundamental role in contributing to the national and global economy [1]
Data collection on participating farms was conducted during the 7-week grain harvesting period of October–December 2014 and included activities such as driving the harvester or chaser; grain delivery, field bin and auger use; truck driving, and various other miscellaneous harvesting-related tasks
Twenty-nine mixed grain and livestock farms were visited during harvest and a total of 22 farm managers/owners, and 6 farm workers agreed to complete the questionnaire survey

Summary

Introduction

Farming in Australia is considered a key industry with a fundamental role in contributing to the national and global economy [1]. Despite significant progress in farming technology, modern farming is still associated with many hazardous exposures, and is consistently identified as one of the most dangerous industries in which to work from a health and safety perspective [2,3,4,5]. Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012–2022, agriculture was identified as a priority industry for further research to better understand hazardous exposures, along with the use and effectiveness of prevention actions and controls [6]. Agricultural workers are habitually exposed to high levels of particulates which are typically generated during field operations and consist of. Agricultural farmworkers are routinely exposed to high levels of airborne dust particles that have been linked to adverse health outcomes. Farmers completed a workplace survey with regards to their health and safety awareness and practices and researchers observed general farm safety practices on selected farms using a checklist

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion