Citation

Crandall CS, Fullerton L, Olson L, Sklar DP, Zumwalt R. Accid. Anal. Prev. 1997; 29(2): 257-261.

Affiliation

University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albuquerque 87131-5246, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9088365

Abstract

To compare the epidemiology of farm with non-farm occupational injury deaths, we reviewed state medical examiner data for all occupational injury deaths in New Mexico from 1980 to 1991. We identified 53 farm-related injury deaths for a rate of 21.3 per 100,000 worker-years. Farm workers were four times more likely than non-farm workers to die from occupational injury. American Indians had the highest farm injury death rate. Farm decedents were older than non-farm decedents (t498 = 6.29, p < 0.0001). Half of the farm decedents were 50 years of age or older; one-third were 60 years of age or older. Crush injuries accounted for half of all farm injury deaths including 18 of 23 motor vehicle deaths, half of these involving a tractor rollover. One in six farm injury deaths were from electrocution: one in five involved alcohol. Our study indicates that New Mexico has high farm-related injury mortality related to tractor use, alcohol intoxication, farm animals, and exposure to electricity. American Indians and older males are especially susceptible to these factors.