California Farm Survey of Occupational Injuries and Hazards
Author: Osorio, A.M
Date Published: 1998
It has been well-recognized that farm workers are at very high risk for occupational injuries. Due to the unique composition of the California agriculture industry and workforce, especially the migrant farm worker population, a survey of farms in two agricultural counties was conducted. The primary goal of the survey is to evaluate commodity-specific farm injuries and hazards in two highly agricultural regions in California with a high proportion of migrant farm labor, Fresno and Monterey Counties. The specific aim was to evaluate a total of 350 farms randomly selected after stratification for commodity and farm size. Each farm evaluation consisted of a farm owner/operator interview, seven randomly selected worker interviews, and a standardized health and safety walk-through survey. From 1992-1996, field visits and data collection have been completed for 357 farms (representing over 2000 worker interviews and 157 walk-through evaluations). Preliminary results indicate a work force of mostly Hispanic men with a mean age of 38. There were high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in the lower back, upper back, arm, wrist regions of the body. During the past year, 29% of the workers reported occupational injuries associated with farm work, farm equipment or transportation. The final California Farm Survey will allow a unique view of the farming industry in the state from the concurrent perspective of owner/operator, the farm worker and the study walk-though evaluator.
Date Published: 1998
It has been well-recognized that farm workers are at very high risk for occupational injuries. Due to the unique composition of the California agriculture industry and workforce, especially the migrant farm worker population, a survey of farms in two agricultural counties was conducted. The primary goal of the survey is to evaluate commodity-specific farm injuries and hazards in two highly agricultural regions in California with a high proportion of migrant farm labor, Fresno and Monterey Counties. The specific aim was to evaluate a total of 350 farms randomly selected after stratification for commodity and farm size. Each farm evaluation consisted of a farm owner/operator interview, seven randomly selected worker interviews, and a standardized health and safety walk-through survey. From 1992-1996, field visits and data collection have been completed for 357 farms (representing over 2000 worker interviews and 157 walk-through evaluations). Preliminary results indicate a work force of mostly Hispanic men with a mean age of 38. There were high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in the lower back, upper back, arm, wrist regions of the body. During the past year, 29% of the workers reported occupational injuries associated with farm work, farm equipment or transportation. The final California Farm Survey will allow a unique view of the farming industry in the state from the concurrent perspective of owner/operator, the farm worker and the study walk-though evaluator.
