Kearney Gregory D, Xu Xiaohui, Balanay Jo Anne G, Allen Daniel L, Rafferty Ann P
a Department of Public Health , Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville , North Carolina , USA.
J Agromedicine. 2015;20(1):43-54. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2014.976730.
Agriculture consistently ranks among the top hazardous occupations, accounting for a significant number of injuries and fatalities in the workplace. Eastern North Carolina has a significant number of small, independent, family-run, owned, and operated farms. However, little is known about perception, behavior, training, accessibility, or purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety among farmers in the region. In this study, telephone interviews were conducted among participating farmers between March and June 2012 (N = 129). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine associations between PPE behavior and workplace hazards, health-related concerns, and wearing and purchasing PPE. Findings indicated that personal behavior of wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) and protection from the sun among farmers was low. However, a relatively high percentage of farmers reported wearing PPE when working with agricultural chemicals. Most farmers received training from agricultural extension offices. The findings indicate that, in general, farmers are well aware of the risks associated with occupational hazards and recognize concern for health and safety protection in the workplace. Transitioning these concerns into preventative action remains a challenge and priority for the agricultural health professional.
农业一直位列高危职业之首，在工作场所导致大量伤亡。北卡罗来纳州东部有大量小型、独立、由家庭经营、拥有和运作的农场。然而，对于该地区农民在安全方面对个人防护装备（PPE）的认知、行为、培训、可及性或购买情况，人们了解甚少。在本研究中，于2012年3月至6月对参与研究的农民进行了电话访谈（N = 129）。进行了单变量和双变量分析，以检验个人防护装备行为与工作场所危害、健康相关问题以及佩戴和购买个人防护装备之间的关联。结果表明，农民佩戴听力保护装置（HPD）和防晒的个人行为较少。然而，相对较高比例的农民报告在使用农用化学品时会佩戴个人防护装备。大多数农民接受过农业推广办公室的培训。研究结果表明，总体而言，农民充分意识到与职业危害相关的风险，并认识到工作场所对健康和安全保护的关注。将这些关注转化为预防行动仍然是农业健康专业人员面临的挑战和优先事项。
