Citation

Scribani M, Wyckoff S, Jenkins P, Bauer H, Earle-Richardson G. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2013; 56(8): 845-855.

Affiliation

Bassett Research Institute, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, New York.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.22150

PMID

23280646

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Northeast farmworkers are a small, widely dispersed, and isolated population. Little is known about their occupational injury and illness risk. METHODS: Researchers conducted chart reviews in migrant health centers across the Northeast, and calculated incidence-density for agricultural morbidity based on a new method for estimating total worker hours at risk, and adjusting for cases seen at other sources of care. RESULTS: An estimated annual average of 1,260 cases translated to an incidence of 30.27 per 10,000 worker weeks, (12.7 per 100 FTEs). Straining/spraining events (56% cases) was the most common occurrence (16.8 per 10,000 worker weeks), and lifting (21.5% cases) was the leading contributing factor. Incidence by crop category ranged from 12.95 (ground crop) to 29.69 (bush crop) per 10,000 weeks. Only 2.8% filed for Workers' Compensation. CONCLUSION: The predominance of straining/spraining events affecting the back, and their association with lifting suggests that Northeastern farmworker occupational health programs should focus on ergonomics, and specifically on safe lifting. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en