Experiences and Challenges of Foreign Agricultural Workers in Finland

HighlightsBetter control of musculoskeletal workload remains a key factor in improving working conditions on Finnish farms.Orientation and training of workers should be carefully prepared with attention to content, method, and timing.Continued training is needed, especially for foremen and the increasing number of long-term foreign workers.Abstract. Foreign workers have become an important part of the workforce on horticulture and livestock farms in Finland. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of foreign workers regarding their working and living conditions. We conducted semi-structured theme interviews during two time periods: in 2008-2009 (n = 40 workers on eight farms) and again in 2018-2019 (n = 9 workers on four farms). We found variations in expectations and goals among workers when they take a job abroad. Compelling factors in the origin country included unemployment, low wages, and low standards of living, and enticing factors in the destination country included social relationships and expectations of better income. Personal networks had a strong role in the recruiting processes. Work on farms is physically demanding, and being a foreign worker affects social life in many ways, such as being separated from family and facing pressures from the home community to arrange jobs for others. New communication technologies have improved possibilities to stay in contact. Employers could contribute to better working and living conditions for foreign workers by improving work organization, ergonomics at work, orientation of new workers, and continued training of supervisors. Worker orientation and training should be carefully planned, taking into consideration the limited language skills, work competence requirements, and possibilities for career advancement of the workers. Keywords: Descriptive study, Foreign farm workers, Horticulture, Occupational safety.

Comparing Objective and Subjective Measures of Sleep Loss with Balance Performance in Farmers

HighlightsThe farming population is at risk of injury due to sleep deprivation.Loss of sleep during previous night affects balance performance in farmers.Objective measures of sleep are more reliable than subjective measures for predicting balance performance.Abstract. This study aimed to investigate the ability of both subjective and objective sleep measures to predict balance difficulty in agricultural workers. Seven male farmers from rural Nebraska were analyzed for static balance performance following a bout of sleep. Actiwatches were used to measure objective sleep hours and subjective questionnaires, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, were used to measure subjective hours of sleep and sleep quality. The participants were observed for 12 sessions, with six in planting season and six in harvest season. Static balance testing consisted of measuring the area, total displacement, and maximum range in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions of the individual’s center of pressure with Tekscan pressure mats. Overall, it was found that objective measures had a higher correlation with the magnitude of balance deviations than subjective measures. Keywords: Actiwatch, Agricultural worker, Injury, Sleep deprivation.

Estimates of Victim Surface Area and Associated Extraction Force for Partial Entrapment in Grain

HighlightsEight selected anthropometric landmarks were useful for estimating victim surface area and entrapment depth.Surface area estimates for a partially entrapped male victim ranged from 0.0716 to 2.7296 m2.Partial extraction force estimates for a male victim ranged from 0.29 to 3,693 N.Partial extraction force estimates were 18% greater on average when including the arm surface area than when not including the arms.Abstract. A prediction model for estimating extraction forces on entrapped victims was enhanced and modernized in 2018 from the original 1985 model. The prediction model was divided into two conditions based on the victim’s relative position to the grain surface. The first condition was when the victim is completely below the grain surface. The second condition was when the victim’s shoulders are above the grain surface; this condition is the focus of this research. A variable in the prediction model that changes with the depth of entrapment is the surface area of the victim. A sample of 60 male models was used to approximate the human surface area at optimal discrete positions selected based on visually identifiable anthropometric landmarks. The surface area estimates for those 60 partially entrapped male models ranged from 0.0716 to 2.7296 m2. Extraction forces for twelve partially entrapped male body types with various combinations of stature and body mass index were calculated. The extraction forces were calculated for conditions when the victim’s arms were raised (above the grain) and lowered (in the grain). Results from the prediction model showed that surface area contributed less to the partial extraction force for short underweight bodies than for tall extremely obese bodies. At the lower landmarks, i.e., medial malleolus (MM) and knee crease (KN), surface area did not contribute noticeably to the partial extraction force. The contribution of surface area was not noticeable until the victim was buried up to the crotch (landmark CR). Keywords: Farm safety, Grain entrapment, Prediction model, Rescue, Safety.

Actuating Force Required for Operating Various Controls of a Walk-Behind Type Paddy Transplanter Leading to Development of a Remotely Operated System

HighlightsThe actuating force, torque, and application rate needed to operate the control levers of a walk-behind type paddy transplanter were determined.The results will be beneficial for the development of a remote-control or autonomous system for the transplanter.Such a system will reduce operator fatigue, resulting in increased work efficiency and safety.Abstract. An enormous amount of human fatigue is involved in operating the walk-behind type paddy transplanters widely used in South Asian countries, especially India. To operate a transplanter remotely, accurate estimation of the actuating force needed to operate the control levers (push/pull type), the stroke length of the levers, and the frequency of use of the levers is required so that the mechanical levers can be replaced with appropriate electronic sensors, control units, and actuators. In this study, the actuating forces and required torques of the control levers of a walk-behind type paddy transplanter (Kubota NSP-4W, model MZ175-B-1) were measured using three load-measuring instruments. The results revealed that about 24.1 N of force was required to control the accelerator lever, while the left and right steering levers required an actuating force of 24.0 N each. To start the transplanting mechanism, a much higher actuating force (78.1 N) and torque (15.47 N-m) were required 54 times per hour for the planting clutch lever; however, to stop the mechanism, a comparatively smaller force (28.3 N) and torque (5.71 N-m) were required 54 times per hour. Movement of the transplanter was controlled with the shift clutch lever, which required 14.30 N of force and 2.72 N-m torque for forward movement of the transplanter in field conditions, while 12.7 N of force and 2.88 N-m torque were required for forward movement of the transplanter on paved roads. These findings will be beneficial for selecting the force and stroke length of actuators for the development of a remote-control or autonomous system for walk-behind type paddy transplanters and similar machines, which is expected to substantially reduce the operator workload and enhance both workability and safety. Keywords: Actuating force, Hand control levers, Remotely controlled paddy transplanter.

A National Overview of Youth andInjury Trends on U.S. Farms, 2001-2014

Highlights The total number of injuries to all youth on farms consistently declined during the 14-year period from 2001 to 2014. Injuries to household farm youth, after initial declines, increased in 2012 and 2014. Although progress in farm youth safety has been made, farms continue to be hazardous places for youth. Abstract. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted injury surveillance for youth on U.S. farms for two decades to measure childhood injury burden, track injury trends, and monitor hazardous injury exposures. The Childhood Agricultural Injury Survey (CAIS), a regionally stratified telephone survey, collected injury and demographic data for all youth less than 20 years of age on U.S. farms. Results from the 2014 survey are provided. Trend analyses for all survey years were conducted using a Poisson regression model with generalized estimating equations. Rate ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated from the model. In 2014, there were an estimated 11,942 youth farm injuries. Of these, 63% occurred to household youth. Youth between the ages of 10 and 15 incurred the most injuries, and 34% of the injuries were work-related. The total number of injuries to all youth on farms consistently declined during the 14-year period from 2001 to 2014, with annual injury rates ranging from 13.5 to 5.7 per 1,000 farms. The injury rates for household youth decreased through 2009 but increased slightly in 2012 and 2014. Farms continue to be hazardous environments for youth. Although there has been a significant decrease in the overall numbers and rates of youth farm injuries over the past decades, researchers should continue to monitor areas that remain a concern. One area that is specifically troublesome is the increase in injury rates observed for household youth in 2014. Keywords: Agriculture, Farm, Injury, Trends, Youth.

An Overview of Agricultural Injuries in Florida from 2015-2019

Highlights We identified 48 fatal and 187 non-fatal agricultural injuries in Florida from 2015-2019. Vehicles and environmental sources were the two leading injury sources. Using multiple data sources helped us understand the at-risk populations. Abstract . The purpose of this study was to examine and describe fatal and non-fatal agricultural injuries documented in Florida. We used Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data and AgInjuryNews.org (AIN) data from 2015 through 2019 to identify 48 fatal and 187 non-fatal injuries during the five-year study period, with 86% (40 fatal, 175 non-fatal) of these injuries being occupational. A total of 101 (43%) people were injured as a result of transportation incidents. Major injury sources were vehicles (46%) and environmental sources (heat, lightning, etc.) (14%). Using AIN data, we identified risks for youth under the age of 18 and for individuals age 65 and older. This study suggests the need for additional injury surveillance efforts to gather demographic information to identify at-risk populations. Keywords: Agriculture, Fatal, Injury, Surveillance, Transportation.

Agricultural Safety and Health Learning Methods for Agricultural Workforces

HighlightsDemonstrations and one-on-one training were the most preferred learning methods.The most-used learning methods were electronic methods.Printed materials were preferred and perceived as effective by Baby Boomers.Abstract. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences among generational cohorts in the agricultural workforce in learning methods, including frequency of use, perceived effectiveness, and preference. A total of 211 participants representing the agricultural workforce completed either a paper-based or online questionnaire. Generational cohorts were determined using participants’ birth years. The results show that regardless of the generational cohort, demonstrations and one-on-one training were the most preferred learning methods and were also perceived as the most effective methods. Participants indicated that they mostly use electronic methods to learn about agricultural safety and health. Generational differences were found for some learning methods. Printed materials were found to be preferred and perceived as effective by Baby Boomers more so than the other cohorts. Electronic methods were mostly used by Gen X and Millennial participants. For learning about agricultural safety, demonstrations are the most preferred and most effective methods but are not used as frequently as the other learning methods. Agricultural safety education should continue delivering safety demonstrations. Keywords: Learning methods, Multigenerational, Safety and health, Training.

Engineering Control Technologies to Protect Operators in Agricultural All-Terrain Vehicle Rollovers

Highlights Rollovers are the leading cause of injury and fatality in farm all-terrain vehicle (ATV) incidents. Engineering technologies to prevent rollovers or protect the operator in ATV crashes were reviewed in this study. The advances in safety for ATVs are correlated with improvements in stability, handling, and crashworthiness. Operator protection devices and crash notification systems can protect the operator in ATV rollover incidents. Abstract . All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are the second most common source of injury, following tractors, in U.S. agriculture. Rollovers are the leading cause of death in farm ATV incidents, constituting about 85% of ATV-related deaths. There is neither a significant practical solution for ATV rollover crashes in the U.S. nor standards and rules for implementing such a solution. Behavior-based control methods have been used for several decades but have reached their limit of success. Hence, engineering controls are needed to significantly decrease the severity of injuries in ATV rollover incidents (as in tractor incidents). In this study, engineering technologies to protect the operator in agricultural ATV crashes were reviewed. The discussion includes improving crash testing and stability ratings, evaluating static stability of ATVs, dynamic handling tests of ATVs, using automatic systems to notify first responders of a crash, and testing and applying operator protection devices. The available standards, rules, and recommendations related to these technologies around the world are also discussed. Keywords: . Agriculture, All-terrain vehicle, ATV, CPD, Crush protection device, OPD, Quad bike, Safety.

Factors that Influence Farm Safety Decisions of Young Adults when Entering Agricultural Grain Bins

Highlights A grain handling scenario-based survey was administered to college students studying agriculture. Participants chose an action after reading each scenario and ranked factors affecting their decision-making. Most participants chose a “safe” option and claimed to value their personal safety when making decisions. Parental authority and pressure had little influence on participants’ decisions to enter grain bins. Abstract. The approaches that parents take in the supervision of youth who perform hazardous tasks on family farms can affect youth safety outcomes. This research examines the most significant factors affecting youths’ decisions to enter agricultural grain storage facilities. Over 200 students attending a Midwestern land-grant university who had grain bin experience as youth completed a decision-making survey. Students chose from a list of actions in three realistic but hypothetical scenarios involving grain bin entry. Afterward, they ranked factors according to the level of importance in their decision. Although most participants chose options that emphasized safety when answering the scenario questions and held the “personal safety” factor in highest regard, some chose higher-risk options and valued “productivity.” The findings revealed that youth held little value in their parents’ authority and pressure when making decisions related to grain bin entry. The study’s limitations are addressed, as are the implications of these findings for youth safety outcomes on family farms. Keywords: Decision-making, External pressures, Farm youth safety, Grain bin safety.

Assessing Farm Stress and Community Supports in a U.S.-Mexico Border County

HighlightsOf 24 study respondents, 56.3% had clinical depression symptomatology based on the CES-D depression screening scale.Depression scores were positively correlated with respondents’ ability to obtain credit.Unpredictable factors, such as government regulations and weather, were the most prevalent farm-related stressors among respondents.Abstract. Imperial County, California, is a high-need, medically underserved area that has some of the worst overall health outcomes of all California counties. Given this and the high depression and anxiety rates in agricultural occupations, Imperial County farmers and ranchers may be at an increased risk of stress and poor mental health outcomes. An exploratory mixed methods assessment was used to collect information from 24 farmers and ranchers in Imperial County. Survey topics included questions about farm or ranch operations, farm-related stress, mental health, community support, and health behaviors. The results indicate that most respondents perceive unpredictable factors, such as government regulations, as the most impactful stressors related to their farm or ranch operations. Additionally, depression symptomatology scores were positively correlated with respondents’ ability to obtain credit. Efforts to understand farm-related stress and how community support can help Imperial County farmers and ranchers mediate adverse physical and mental health effects through formal and informal networks are considered. Keywords: Community supports, Farm-related stress, Farmers and ranchers, Mental health, U.S.-Mexico border.