| 1. |
- Alwall Svennefelt, Catharina, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluating The Swedish Approach to Motivating Improved Work Safety Conditions on Farms: Insights from Fear Appeals and the Extended Parallel Processing Model
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 23, s. 355-373
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Farm work safety intervention programs based on educating and informing have been criticized for not demonstrably improving work safety. We argue that these criticisms are misplaced and that the problem with educating and informing lies not necessarily in the tool, but rather in its implementation. We arrive at this conclusion by systematically investigating eight of the largest farm work safety interventions in Sweden. In particular, we describe how they use fear and other emotional appeals in their communications in an attempt to motivate improved work safety. We then analyze their implementation using the extended parallel processing model (EPPM). We show that, although threat of injury and death is used in the majority of these interventions to motivate individuals, the threat is inconsistent with the behaviors targeted. Other shortcomings and implications for implementing wide-scale farm work safety interventions are discussed.
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| 2. |
- Alwall Svennefelt, Catharina, et al.
(författare)
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Safe Farmer Common Sense'-A National Five-Year Education-Based Program for Prevention of Occupational Injuries in Swedish Agriculture-Background, Process, and Evaluation
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 25, s. 221-230
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: This paper provides background and a process description for a national initiative ('Safe Farmer Common Sense') on prevention of occupational injuries in Swedish agriculture. Methods: This initiative, which received investment funding of 65 million SEK (6.5 million USD) from the European Union (EU) over the 5-year period 2009-2013, was jointly developed by researchers, agricultural organizations, authorities, and politicians. The program had a farmer-centered perspective and included short courses, on-farm visits by supervisors, and a number of education events and awareness-promoting activities. Results: Our analysis showed that the concept was successful, since it involved farmers to a greater extent and prompted a high proportion of these to introduce injury prevention measures on their farms compared with a control group. The analysis also confirmed that these activities continued two-three years after participation in the program. Conclusion: The program was not found to have any major effect on the number of occupational injuries, although the level of occupational fatalities was lower during the intervention period. Thus the investment can be questioned as regards the limited impact on the number of work-related injuries in Swedish agriculture and may have been too short to have a lasting effect.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Elias, et al.
(författare)
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Gendered Agricultural Space and Safety: Towards Embodied, Situated Knowledge
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 19, s. 303-315
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The changing conditions, technologies, and labor markets have shifted the gender division of labor on the farm. Women have taken on off-farm labor, but also increased their involvement in agriculture. The work and occupational risks of women have received less attention and are to great extent invisible. The spatial division between on-farm, off-farm, and domestic work is one contributing factor to the situation. The different situations and contexts of agriculture increase the need for knowledge regarding the processes and positions of farming. Through analyzing the literature on the topic, this study examined the gendered understanding of occupational health and safety in Western agriculture and how the embodied positions on the farm can affect women's exposure to risks and their knowledge about injury prevention. The findings are being discussed and framed in a dialogue with a gender theoretical framework, with the aim to produce a more comprehensive understanding of health and safety in agriculture through improving and refining methods. The review stresses the need of further gender research and the incorporation of qualitative methods, to increase the knowledge and understanding of the gendered relations, bodies, and situated knowledge of agricultural spaces.
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| 4. |
- Bonlokke, Jakob H., et al.
(författare)
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Exposures and Health Effects of Bioaerosols in Seafood Processing Workers - a Position Statement
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 24:4, s. 441-448
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Occupational hazards exist in the processing of seafood both in land-based facilities as well as on board vessels. Recent findings on occupational injury and respiratory health risks among seafood processing workers were presented and discussed at the IFISH5 conference. Particular emphasis was put on the challenges that im/migrant workers encounter, the greater risks onboard factory vessels, especially where processing machinery are retrofitted to older vessels not primarily designed for this purpose, and the difficulties in assessing and preventing bioaerosol exposures and associated respiratory health risks despite recent advances in characterising agents responsible for allergic and non-allergic reactions. Based on appraisal of existing knowledge in the published literature and new findings presented at the conference, recommendations for immediate actions as well as for future research have been proposed. Among these include the importance of improving extraction ventilation systems, optimising machinery performance, enclosure of bioaerosol sources, improved work organization, and making special efforts to identify and support the needs of im/migrant workers to ensure they also benefit from such improvements. There is a need for studies that incorporate longitudinal study designs, have improved exposure and diagnostic methods, and that address seafood processing in countries with high seafood processing activities such as Asia and those that involve im/migrant workers worldwide. The medical and scientific community has an important role to play in prevention but cannot do this in isolation and should cooperate closely with hygienists, engineers, and national and international agencies to obtain better health outcomes for workers in the seafood industry.
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| 5. |
- da Silva, Marisa, et al.
(författare)
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Pesticide Use and Self-Reported Health Symptoms Among Rice Farmers in Zanzibar
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 21:4, s. 335-344
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The agrarian population in low- and middle-income countries suffers from a number of adverse health effects due to pesticide exposure. In Zanzibar, the government subsidizes pesticides to enhance local rice production. The objectives of this study were to assess Zanzibar smallholder rice farmers' pesticide use and self-reported health symptoms in relation to pesticide exposure, training, and use of protective measures and to raise awareness for future local policy formulation. An exploratory cross-sectional interviewer-administered study was conducted among 99 rice farmers. Participants were selected based on convenience sampling and stratified by expected exposure category. The study participants reported using pesticides in World Health Organization (WHO) Class II. Of pesticide users, 61% reported one or more symptoms of possible acute pesticide poisoning. Only 50% of pesticide users had received training in safe handling and application of pesticides, but those who had displayed a higher use of protective measures. Farmers who did not use protective measures were more likely to have reported skin irritation and headache, which, together with eye irritation, were the most commonly reported acute symptoms. The main sociodemographic differences between the expected exposure categories of pesticide users and nonusers were in gender and education level. Scaling up of training in safe handling and application of pesticides is needed. Further studies are required to better understand the mechanisms behind the choice to use pesticides or not.
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| 6. |
- Dahlman-Höglund, Anna, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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Work-related Symptoms and Asthma among Fish Processing Workers
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 27:1, s. 98-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. After observing several clinical patients with respiratory symptoms, we initiated a questionnaire survey to assess prevalence of and predictors for asthma and work-related symptoms among workers in fish processing plants. A questionnaire with items on work conditions, work-related symptoms, and respiratory symptoms/diseases was sent to 916 fish processing workers, the 1836 licenced fishermen in Sweden, and 1965 controls; of those, 43%, 57%, and 53%, respectively, responded. Risks, hazard ratios (HRs), and prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated with Cox regression, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. The risk of asthma among fish filleting workers was increased during the years working in the fish processing industry when compared to the other fish processing workers and controls (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6–8.1, adjusted for atopy, gender, and ever smoking). The filleters had an increased PR for most of the work-related respiratory symptoms investigated. All fish processing workers had a higher PR for flu-like symptoms. Use of a pressure sprayer was identified as a risk for asthma and respiratory symptoms among both fish processing workers and controls. Filleters had changed work tasks because of respiratory symptoms more often (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.02) than other fish processing workers. In conclusion the fish filleters and pressure sprayer users reported more adult asthma and cough with phlegm compared to the other fish processing workers and controls. The use of pressure sprayers must be reduced and machinery should be completely encased to reduce workers’ exposure to bioaerosols and its effects on the respiratory tract.
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| 7. |
- Geng, Qiuqing, et al.
(författare)
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Hazards for Farmers With Disabilities : Working in Cold Environments
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18:2, s. 140-150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In consequence of working in cold environments, agricultural workers may be exposed to higher risk of cold-related injuries, compared with the general population. These injuries can include tissue damage due to the exposure to subfreezing temperatures, more generalized symptoms caused by hypothermia, and secondary injuries caused by impaired performance. Risk of cold injury is increased for older workers and for those with disabling health conditions, both of which occur in above-average numbers in agriculture. Based on a selective review of the literature and case studies assembled by Purdue's Breaking New Ground Resource Center, an overview is presented of the mechanisms and symptoms of cold injuries, together with practical suggestions to help reduce risks of cold injuries for workers in agricultural settings. Special attention is given to potential risks to individuals with physical disabilities.
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| 8. |
- Geng, Quiqing, et al.
(författare)
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Risk Assessment of Cattle Handling on Pasture Using Work Environment Screening Tool
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 20:2, s. 116-124
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: Working with beef cattle in an open area or while on pasture has been shown to expose workers to a high risk of work-related injury. Prior research on this problem has been conducted using mail surveys, interviews, self-reporting of work practices and injury experiences, and summaries of published injury data, including media reports. Prior research on injury prevention has largely focused on worker education in a specific cultural or geographical setting. A pilot study was conducted to test the cross-cultural usability of the Working Environment Screening Tool in Agriculture (WEST-AG), a modification of the WEST, developed for Swedish industrial applications, to assess risk factors associated with farmers working with cattle being raised largely on pasture as compared with cattle raised in confined feeding operations. Swedish and English language versions of WEST-AG were developed and pilot-tested on a convenient sample of eight Swedish and eight Indiana farms that raise beef cattle primarily on pasture. On-site observations were conducted independently by Swedish and US agricultural safety professionals and documented using photography and a 15–risk-of-injury component on an 11-degree linear scale. Comparisons were made between independent observations documented from the Swedish and Indiana application of the WEST, including collective assessment of photographic record, and the results reported. Key findings included (a) a higher level of observed risks on Indiana farms studied as compared with their Swedish counterparts; (b) high levels of worker exposure to cattle, especially mature breeding bulls, on both sets of farms; (c) a higher frequency of self-reported farm-related injuries than anticipated on both Swedish and Indiana farms; (d) substantially different economic, social, cultural, and regulatory forces that influence small-operation Swedish and Indiana beef producers’ decisions regarding adoption of safer work practices, including use of new and safer technology; and (e) differences between the interpretations of the levels or severity of risks observed between the Swedish and US researchers conducting the assessments based upon regulatory and cultural context. Recommendations for enhancing the methodology of applying the WEST-AG to beef production are discussed, along with utilizing the findings to recommend steps to enhance worker safety on small beef farms, regardless of cultural setting. The most significant contribution of this study was to explore the viability of an assessment tool for agricultural workplaces that could be used internationally to enhance worker safety and health regardless of cultural and political differences.
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| 9. |
- Jakob, Martina, et al.
(författare)
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Addressing Exoskeleton Implementation Challenges : Case Studies of Non-Acceptance in Agriculture
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 28:4, s. 784-796
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The objective of this study was to detect success and failure factors for the implementation of passive exoskeletons in agriculture. Exoskeletons have been shown to reduce musculoskeletal loads during lab-based manual tasks, but long-term implementation experiences in agriculture are lacking. Methods: We analyzed four intervention studies in agriculture focusing on methodological and contextual reasons why the trials were successful or unsuccessful. The study context, attempted intervention, and data collection of each field trial is compared. In the absence of long-term studies investigating the implementation and effectiveness of exoskeletons in agriculture, a set of multi-week pilot trials were initiated among German market vegetable farms and French vineyards from 2019 to 2022. Participant ratings, farm characteristics (e.g. employment duration and payment scheme) and intervention implementation characteristics (e.g. participation in implementation or language barriers) were analyzed using a mixed-methods approach to identify success and failure factors. Results: The comparison of the studies showed that despite the organizational issues, there were several practical issues that limit the success of exoskeleton use in agriculture. We observed that participant rejection of the intervention is a major barrier to successfully conducting long-term field trials in agriculture. Factors like pain, discomfort, heat stress, or a lack of perceived benefits have been identified as failure factors but also the implementation process itself. Conclusion: In addition to careful targeting of trial sites and inclusion of participatory elements in the implementation plan, successful implementation of exoskeletons in agriculture requires fundamental human factors development of the exoskeletons themselves. This will require better matching the physical needs of the workers, the production needs of the tasks, and compatibility with the environment.
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| 10. |
- Kumaraveloo, K. Sakthiaseelan, et al.
(författare)
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Agriculture and musculoskeletal disorders in low- and middle-income countries
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 23:3, s. 227-248
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To systematically explore and summarize the risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among the agricultural workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In addition, to identify and analyze the methodological flaws in the reviewed studies. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Science Direct, Embase, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. Three-phased screening process was undertaken to eliminate irrelevant publications. Assessment of methodological quality was done using a standardized assessment tool. Results: Eighteen cross-sectional studies were included in the narrative synthesis. Based on the median score of 38%, nine publications were classified as having higher methodological quality. Eight countries were represented in this review, mainly the South East Asia countries. Majority of the participants were rice farmers. Most common risk factors associated with WMSDs were physical factors (n = 10), followed by individual (n = 6) and psychosocial (n = 5) risk factors. A majority of the studies investigated the risk factors for spinal region. Several methodological weaknesses were noticed in the studies concerning outcome definition, assessment of potential confounders, generalizability, selection bias, information bias, and statistical analysis. Extensive heterogeneity across the studies prevented statistical pooling. Conclusions: The common anatomical region evaluated was the spine and the most reported risk factors were physical risk factors. Future researches in the LMIC should focus on conducting longitudinal studies that could infer temporality. Researchers should give more attention in defining the study population, evaluating the exposure and outcome in an unbiased way, and in executing reliable statistical analysis.
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| 11. |
- Lindahl, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Occupational Health and Safety Aspects of Animal Handling in Dairy Production
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18:3, s. 274-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Livestock handling in dairy production is associated with a number of health and safety issues. A large number of fatal and nonfatal injuries still occur when handling livestock. The many animal handling tasks on a dairy farm include moving cattle between different locations, vaccination, administration of medication, hoof care, artificial insemination, ear tagging, milking, and loading onto trucks. There are particular problems with bulls, which continue to cause considerable numbers of injuries and fatalities in dairy production. In order to reduce the number of injuries during animal handling on dairy farms, it is important to understand the key factors in human-animal interactions. These include handler attitudes and behavior, animal behavior, and fear in cows. Care when in close proximity to the animal is the key for safe handling, including knowledge of the flight zone, and use of the right types of tools and suitable restraint equipment. Thus, in order to create safe working conditions during livestock handling, it is important to provide handlers with adequate training and to establish sound safety management procedures on the farm.
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| 12. |
- Lindahl, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Swedish Dairy Farmers' Perceptions of Animal-Related Injuries
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 17:4, s. 364-376
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Animal-related injuries are among the most common occupational injuries in agriculture. Despite the large number of documented animal-related injuries in dairy farming, the issue has received relatively limited attention in the scientific literature. The farmers' own perspectives and views on risks and safety during livestock handling and what they think are effective ways of preventing injuries are valuable for the future design of effective interventions. This paper presents results from a qualitative study with the aim to investigate Swedish dairy farmers' own experience of animal-related occupational injuries, as well as their perceptions of and attitudes towards them, including risk and safety issues, and prevention measures. A total of 12 dairy farmers with loose housing systems participated in the study. Data collection was conducted by means of semistructured in-depth interviews. Three main themes with an impact on risks and safety when handling cattle were identified: the handler, the cattle, and the facilities. They all interact with each other, influencing the potential risks of any work task. Most of the farmers believed that a majority of the injuries can be prevented, but there are always some incidents that are impossible to foresee. In conclusion, this study indicates that Swedish dairy farmers are aware of the dangers from working with cattle. However, even though safety is acknowledged by the farmers as an important and relevant issue, in the end safety is often forgotten or not prioritized. One concern is that farmers are willing to take calculated risks to save money or time. In situations where they work alone with high stress levels and under economic distress, safety issues are easily given low priority.
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| 13. |
- Lundqvist, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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A Scoping Review of Safety and Health Interventions in the High-Risk Dairy Industry: Gaps in Evidence Point to Future Directions in Research
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 27, s. 51-63
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The occupational injury rate of the dairy industry (6.6 per 100 full-time workers) is twice that of the national average across all industries (3.3 per 100 full-time workers). While dairy farms are becoming larger in size and fewer in number, this rate has not changed. A scoping review was conducted to identify published reports of occupational safety interventions in the dairy industry. An additional criterion was that the study included an evaluation of the intervention. Out of 22 articles that met the first criterion (discussion of interventions specific to the dairy industry), 19 met the second of having an evaluative component. These 19 articles corresponded to 16 unique studies, because 4 articles corresponded to the same study. Of the 16 unique studies, only 3 had a comparison of treatment vs. control effects, and none measured the impact of the intervention on injuries and fatalities. Of the 16 interventions, 6 were focused on training or informational campaigns in which the evaluations primarily measured knowledge acquisition. Additionally, none of these studies had a sufficient sample size to compare injury rates as an outcome. Our study demonstrates that the literature lacks any rigorous evaluation of whether dairy safety interventions are making an impact on injury prevention. Given this, it is not possible to determine how work-related injuries and deaths can be prevented in the dairy industry. Recommendations for future research include incorporating rigorous evaluation into research designs and attempting to develop low-cost, unobtrusive methods for collecting data on intermediate and final outcomes.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Lundqvist, Peter
(författare)
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Anxiety and Depression Symptoms Among Farmers: The HUNT Study, Norway
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 21, s. 24-33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agriculture has undergone profound changes, and farmers face a wide variety of stressors. Our aim was to study the levels of anxiety and depression symptoms among Norwegian farmers compared with other occupational groups. Working participants in the HUNT3 Survey (The Nord-Trondelag Health Study, 2006-2008), aged 19-66.9 years, were included in this cross-sectional study. We compared farmers (women, n = 317; men, n = 1,100) with HUNT3 participants working in other occupational groups (women, n = 13,429; men, n = 10,026), classified according to socioeconomic status. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure anxiety and depression symptoms. Both male and female farmers had higher levels of depression symptoms than the general working population, but the levels of anxiety symptoms did not differ. The differences in depression symptom levels between farmers and the general working population increased with age. In an age-adjusted logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for depression caseness (HADS-D = 8) when compared with the general working population was 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22-1.83) in men and 1.29 (95% CI: 0.85-1.95) in women. Male farmers had a higher OR of depression caseness than any other occupational group (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.52-2.49, using higher-grade professionals as reference). Female farmers had an OR similar to men (2.00, 95% CI: 1.26-3.17), but lower than other manual occupations. We found that farmers had high levels of depression symptoms and average levels of anxiety symptoms compared with other occupational groups.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Lundqvist, Peter
(författare)
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International Dairy Health and Safety
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18, s. 179-183
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Annan publikation (refereegranskat)
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| 18. |
- Lundqvist, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Machinery-Related Perceived Risks and Safety Attitudes in Senior Swedish Farmers
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 23, s. 78-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To perform an ergonomic analysis of work and machinery-related risks in a group of Swedish older farmers, investigating farmers' attitudes and perceptions about: 1) health status and work motivation, 2) physical and cognitive workload and difficulties in the interaction with machinery and technological innovations, and 3) risks and safety practices. Methods: Nine Swedish male farmers aged 65+ were administered a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire. Results: Participants perceived themselves as being in good health and considered farming as a good proxy of their health status. They reported an increased physical workload but did not describe any cognitive workload. Technology was reported to have low usability, and thus its benefits cannot be fully exploited. Older farmers acknowledged the existence of "new risks" related to the aging process and mainly referred to the common sense and previous experience as the best safety practices. Conclusion: Multilevel interventions focused on the capabilities and limits of the older farmers should be developed, involving both training activities and design solutions for the machinery that can support older farmers' health and safety.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Lundqvist, Peter
(författare)
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Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in the Dairy Industry
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18, s. 210-218
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The application of occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation in the dairy industry varies throughout the world. Generally there is no specific OHS legislation that applies to the dairy industry and mostly in countries the current OHS legislation applies to all workplaces with specific guidelines that apply to agricultural industries. The main difference between countries is in the application of OHS legislation specifically in relation to the size of the farms. In the USA, the OHS legislation, and therefore enforcement, does not, in most cases, apply to farms with less than 11 employees, whereas in other countries there is no minimum number of employees and in some cases such as the United Kingdom and Australia it covers all people who work on the farm. The other area of difference is in the use and publication of guidelines for the industry; some countries have a wide range of guidelines whereas other counties have few. Generally, this relates to the jurisdiction of the OHS legislation, which in several countries is not at a national level such as USA, Canada, and Australia. The main principal of OHS legislation is that all workplaces, including dairy farms, should be a safe and healthy place to work, and does not vary significantly between the countries reviewed even those with prescriptive legislation.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina
(författare)
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Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Milkers and Dairy Farm Characteristics in Sweden and Germany
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 21, s. 43-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Objectives International studies have shown that musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) and disorders (MSD) are common among dairy farm milkers. Although dairy production is diverse it has so far not been possible to explain the high risk by production parameters. Two national studies carried out under similar conditions were the incentive to merge the data and increase the sample size. Methods The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess MSS prevalence among 92 Swedish and 116 German male and female milkers. Results and Conclusions Eighty-four and 85% of the Swedish and German milkers reported MSS in at least one body part. Highest prevalence was reported in the lower back, shoulder and neck. Females showed a significantly higher risk of MSS. Apart from that small significant influence of MSS was found for other risk factors. Our findings indicate that technical and organizational modifications of the work place design in milking parlors are needed.
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| 24. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Ergonomics in Modern Dairy Practice: A Review of Current Issues and Research Needs
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18, s. 198-209
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dairy farming is an ancient occupation. Traditionally, cows have been manually milked while tethered in stalls or stanchions. In the latter half of the 20th century as machine milking emerged, the parlor milking system has become more popular, especially among larger dairy farms. The transition from manual milking to automatic milking systems as well as the transition from stanchion to parlor milking systems involved a dramatic change in milking tasks. These transitions have resulted in changing patterns of occupational exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dairy workers. However, aspects of the milking task such as sanitization of teats, stripping milk from teats, and attachment and detachment of milking equipment have remained relatively the same. Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms have been reported in the low back, shoulders, hands/wrists, and knees. Research that has measured exposures to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dairy farm workers has been limited, especially when using ergonomic tools to directly measure exposure, such as electrogoniometry or electromyography. Self-reported exposure measures have been most commonly used. The interventions that have been tested to reduce exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders include assisted lift-hold devices, use of lighter-weight equipment, adjustable flooring, and use of rubber mats. However, research evaluating potential solutions to reduce dairy farm worker exposure to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders is scarce. Future research efforts should further characterize hazards while simultaneously testing viable solutions that fit within the business model of the dairy farm industry.
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| 25. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Farm operators' experiences of advanced technology and automation in Swedish agriculture: a pilot study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 23, s. 215-226
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This pilot study investigated how farm operators use and experience working with advanced farm technology and automated systems. The study participants included 10 farm operators at 4 modern and technically well-equipped arable and dairy farms. The informants reported that the technology allowed for more accuracy and efficiency in daily work, made the work less physically strenuous, and gave more time for leisure. The challenges lay in systems and programs not being compatible and difficulties in interpreting generated data. At times, the technology was considered complex or difficult to handle and operate. It was also considered mentally stressful when it did not work as expected. Nightly alarms causing disturbed sleep and work time, and tasks losing some of their clear and natural starts and ends were the most challenging issues on dairy farms. Malfunctions disturbed the daily work, especially when spare parts or service technicians were unavailable. The informants concluded that advanced farm technology and automated systems had both positive and negative sides. They reported no consistent mental strain caused by the technology and considered it a necessity for their future work. However, technology and automated systems must be functional, user-friendly, and reliable to avoid imposing potential mental strain.
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| 26. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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International Perspectives on Psychosocial Working Conditions, Mental Health, and Stress of Dairy Farm Operators
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18, s. 244-255
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dairy farm operatorsfarmers, workers, and family membersare faced with many demands and stressors in their daily work and these appear to be shared across countries and cultures. Dairy operators experience high psychosocial demands with respect to a hard work and production ethos, economic influences, and social and environmental responsibility. Furthermore, both traditional and industrial farms are highly dependent on external conditions, such as weather, fluctuating markets, and regulations from government authorities. Possible external stressors include disease outbreaks, taxes related to dairy production, and recent negative societal attitudes to farming in general. Dairy farm operators may have very few or no opportunities to influence and control these external conditions, demands, and expectations. High work demands and expectations coupled with low control and lack of social support can lead to a poor psychosocial work environment, with increased stress levels, ill mental health, depression, and, in the worst cases, suicide. Internationally, farmers with ill mental health have different health service options depending on their location. Regardless of location, it is initially the responsibility of the individual farmer and farm family to handle mental health and stress, which can be of short- or long-term duration. This paper reviews the literature on the topics of psychosocial working conditions, mental health, stress, depression, and suicide among dairy farm operators, farm workers, and farm family members in an international perspective.
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| 27. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina
(författare)
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Job Resources and Work Engagement among Finnish Dairy Farmers
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 23, s. 249-261
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aims of this study were to examine job resources, work engagement and Finnish dairy farmers' preferences concerning methods to enhance overall well-being while working on farms.Methods: A postal survey yielded 265 completed questionnaires from 188 dairy farms. The sample was assessed as representative of Finnish dairy farmers. Exploratory factor analysis and a linear mixed model were utilized during the data analyzing process.Results: The variables lowering work engagement were stressors related to the workload and problems with health. Elevated work engagement was associated with the factors work with farm animals and family. The most important resource variables were child or children, own family, and animal health. Female dairy farmers considered resource variables related to the family, love, and work with cattle as significantly more important than male dairy farmers. Male dairy farmers experienced higher work engagement and, concerning the dimensions, especially higher dedication and absorption than male respondents in a reference sample of workers in difference occupations. A sustainable farm economy and the possibility to have a holiday period were the most important methods to improve overall well-being on dairy farms.Conclusion: The results indicate that the family, working with cattle, healthy farm animals, a reasonable workload, and a sustainable farm economy have the capacity to create positive impacts on well-being among dairy farmers. Well-being on farms is a part of sustainable food production.
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| 28. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina
(författare)
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The Dairy Industry: A Brief Description of Production Practices, Trends, and Farm Characteristics Around the World
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18, s. 187-197
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The global dairy industry is composed of a multitude of countries with unique production practices and consumer markets. The global average number of cows per farm is about 1-2 cows; however, as a farm business model transitions from sustenance to market production, the average herd size, and subsequent labor force increases. Dairy production is unique as an agricultural commodity because milk is produced daily, for 365 days per year. With the introduction of new technology such as the milking parlor, the global industry trend is one of increasing farm sizes. The farm sizes are the largest in the United States; however, the European Union produces the most milk compared with other global producers. Dairy production is essential for economic development and sustainable communities in rural areas. However, the required capital investment and availability of local markets and labor are continued challenges. Due to farm expansion, international producers are faced with new challenges related to assuring food safety and a safe working environment for their workforce. These challenges exist in addition to the cultural and language barriers related to an increasing dependence on immigrant labor in many regions of the world. Continued success of the global dairy industry is vital. Therefore, research should continue to address the identification of occupational risk factors associated with injuries and illnesses, as well as develop cost-effective interventions and practices that lead to the minimization or elimination of these injuries and illnesses on a global scale, among our valuable population of dairy producers and workers.
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| 29. |
- Lunner Kolstrup, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Work-Related Injuries and Fatalities on Dairy Farm Operations : A Global Perspective
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18, s. 256-264
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agriculture is among the most hazardous sectors for workers globally, and dairy farming has been associated with a high risk of injury among workers in several countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on what is known about modern dairy farms and related injuries and fatalities in different regions of the world. As in other sectors of agriculture, fatalities appear to be associated with heavy equipment usage, whereas injuries occur at higher rates with animal production, specifically cattle and milk production. Dairy farming is associated with higher rates of injury as compared with other industrial sectors, but a lack of work-related injury reporting continues to be an issue in several countries. Worker fatality associated with heavy equipment use is not a new observation (e.g., tractors); however, manure-handling systems, livestock handling, and quad bike operation continue to be associated with worker injuries and fatalities on modern farms. Opportunities exist for improvement of safety-related equipment to reduce injury and fatality risk during worker interactions with large animals and farm equipment.
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| 30. |
- Reynolds, Stephen J., et al.
(författare)
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Systematic Review of Respiratory Health Among Dairy Workers
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 18:3 SI, s. 219-243
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The dairy industry is changing on a global scale with larger, more efficient operations. The impact of this change on worker health and safety, specifically, associations between occupational lung disease and inhalation exposures, has yet to be reported in a comprehensive review of the scientific literature. Therefore, a three-tier process was used to identify information using a keyword search of online databases of scientific literature. Of the 147 citations reviewed, 52 met initial screening criteria, and 30 were included in this review. Dairy workers experience lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, chronic bronchitis, and cancer. Recent pulmonary function studies have identified obstructive lung changes among dairy farm workers. The increased scale of dairy production with significant changes in technology and work practices has altered inhalation exposure patterns among dairy workers. The inhalation exposure in the dairy work environment may elicit differing inflammatory responses in relation to timing of initial exposure as well as to repeated exposures. Few studies have measured inhalation exposure while simultaneously assessing the impact of the exposure on lung function of dairy farm workers. Even fewer studies have been implemented to assess the impact of aerosol control technology to reduce inhalation exposure. Future research should evaluate worker exposure to aerosols through a task-based approach while utilizing novel methods to assess inhalation exposure and associated inflammatory responses. Finally, potential solutions should be developed and tested to reduce inhalation exposure to inflammatory agents and respiratory diseases in the dairy farm work environment.
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| 31. |
- Thelin, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Farmers and retirement : a longitudinal cohort study
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Agromedicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1059-924X .- 1545-0813. ; 15:1, s. 38-46
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Studies report low prevalence of several health problems among farmers. Health status and psychosocial factors are generally assumed to impact on retirement age and the ability to stay in work.ObjectivesTo study retirement in a male rural population and to test the hypothesis that farmers retire later than nonfarmers thanks to better health status and advantageous psychosocial factors.Method The study design was a longitudinal cohort study on farmers and rural nonfarmers with data assessment at two surveys 12 years apart. Analyses were performed with multiple logistic regression models.ResultsAmong subjects 64 years or younger at survey 2, 93% of the farmers were still working (full or part time) as compared with 76% of the employed nonfarmers. Among those 65 years or older, 64% of the farmers, 33% of nonfarming entrepreneurs, and 6% of employed nonfarmers were still occupationally active. Significant differences in reported diseases and psychosocial factors were found between farmers and nonfarmers, but in the fully adjusted model these variables did not modify the low odds ratios of retirement found for farmers. The farmers adjusted risk (OR) for premature retirement (64 or younger) was 0.30 (95% CI 0.16–0.55) and for standard retirement (65 or older) 0.01 (95% CI 0.00–0.05).ConclusionsFarmers continue to work full or part time around retirement age to a much larger extent than employees. The employment status of farmers may only partly explain this. Health status and psychosocial factors did not impact on the results.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
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