Trends in Farm Fatalities, Saskatchewan, Canada: 1990–2004

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate farm fatality rates and to describe patterns of fatal agricultural injury on Saskatchewan farms from 1990 to 2004. Methods: We used data available from the Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program (CAISP) for farm work-related fatalities in Saskatchewan, Canada from January 1990 to December 2004. Results: There were 251 farm work-related fatalities recorded between 1990 and 2004 in Saskatchewan. The majority (92%) of work-related fatalities were in males. The overall fatality rate was 11.9 (95% CI, 2.0-30.1) per 100,000. The overall age-adjusted work-related fatality rate was 32.1 (95% CI, 19.6-44.6) per 100,000 among males and 3.2 (95% CI, 1.3-5.1) per 100,000 among females. Age-adjusted rate increased from 29.3 (95% CI, 6.9-59.3) per 100,000 in 1990-1994 to 37.1 per 100,000 in 2000-2004 in males. Trend analysis of the fatality rate of all cases showed an average annual increase of 3.8% and it was statistically significant (p<0.05). Bystander and runover injuries contributed to a high proportion of fatalities in children (32.1%) and the elderly population (26.7%). Conclusion: The burden of injury mortality is substantial and there has been a statistically significant upward trend in injury rate over the 15-year study period. High vigilance is needed on the part of adults to prevent a high proportion of runover injuries in children and the elderly population. Key words: Injury; surveillance; farm fatality; agriculture; Saskatchewan