Occupational prevalence with agricultural machinery related injuries among rice farmers in Bang Rakam district, Phitsanulok Province, Thailand

Abstract

Problem consideredAccidents are among the major occupational health hazards, and agricultural machinery is a significant cause of musculoskeletal injuries, including cuts, sprains, and strains, among agriculturists in Thailand. Due to the lack of information in the farmer accident database, this cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of agricultural machinery-related injuries among rice farmers in Thailand's Bang Rakam District of Phitsanulok Province.MethodsData were collected via in-person interviews with 294 rice farmers who used agricultural machinery at any stage of farming activities during the 2023 crop year. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: (1) general information about the farmers, (2) details of their work equipment and practices, and (3) information about injuries sustained during work.ResultsAll participants reported experiencing work-related injuries. The machinery most associated with injuries was the walking tractor (41.8 %) followed by the harvesting machine (13.3 %). The most frequently injured body parts were the back and torso (21.8 %), legs, and knees (19.0 %), and hands and fingers (17.3 %). Land preparation activities accounted for the highest proportion of injuries (56.1 %) followed by pesticide application (31.6 %).ConclusionThis study highlights the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among rice farmers, reflecting significant occupational health concerns in Thailand. The findings suggest a need to redesign agricultural machinery, particularly tractors, to enhance safety. Additionally, interventions and safety guidelines should be developed and implemented to prevent occupational accidents in the agricultural sector.