BACKGROUND: Northeast farmworkers are a small, widely dispersed, and isolated population. Little is known about their occupational injury and illness risk. METHODS: Researchers conducted chart reviews in migrant health centers across the Northeast, and calculated incidence-density for agricultural morbidity based on a new method for estimating total worker hours at risk, and adjusting for cases seen at other sources of care. RESULTS: An estimated annual average of 1,260 cases translated to an incidence of 30.27 per 10,000 worker weeks, (12.7 per 100 FTEs). Straining/spraining events (56% cases) was the most common occurrence (16.8 per 10,000 worker weeks), and lifting (21.5% cases) was the leading contributing factor. Incidence by crop category ranged from 12.95 (ground crop) to 29.69 (bush crop) per 10,000 weeks. Only 2.8% filed for Workers' Compensation. CONCLUSION: The predominance of straining/spraining events affecting the back, and their association with lifting suggests that Northeastern farmworker occupational health programs should focus on ergonomics, and specifically on safe lifting.
BACKGROUND: Northeast farmworkers are a small, widely dispersed, and isolated population. Little is known about their occupational injury and illness risk. METHODS: Researchers conducted chart reviews in migrant health centers across the Northeast, and calculated incidence-density for agricultural morbidity based on a new method for estimating total worker hours at risk, and adjusting for cases seen at other sources of care. RESULTS: An estimated annual average of 1,260 cases translated to an incidence of 30.27 per 10,000 worker weeks, (12.7 per 100 FTEs). Straining/spraining events (56% cases) was the most common occurrence (16.8 per 10,000 worker weeks), and lifting (21.5% cases) was the leading contributing factor. Incidence by crop category ranged from 12.95 (ground crop) to 29.69 (bush crop) per 10,000 weeks. Only 2.8% filed for Workers' Compensation. CONCLUSION: The predominance of straining/spraining events affecting the back, and their association with lifting suggests that Northeastern farmworker occupational health programs should focus on ergonomics, and specifically on safe lifting.
Authors: Thomas A Arcury; Anna Jensen; Mackenzie Mann; Joanne C Sandberg; Melinda F Wiggins; Jennifer W Talton; Mark A Hall; Sara A Quandt Journal: J Agromedicine Date: 2017 Impact factor: 1.675
Authors: Dana C Mora; Christopher M Miles; Haiying Chen; Sara A Quandt; Phillip Summers; Thomas A Arcury Journal: Arch Environ Occup Health Date: 2014-12-02 Impact factor: 1.663