Evaluation of Occupational Traumatic Injuries in Rural Sectors of Turkey.

Aim: Traumatic injuries related to agricultural production can lead to serious disability and even mortality. Inappropriate use of farm machinery increases the risk for accidents. Th e objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of “pat-patmachine”- related work injuries cases treated at the emergency department and to assess injury severity and hospital admissions in the West Black Sea Region of Turkey. Methods: All cases related to injuries caused by work with a “pat pat machine” between June 2003 and June 2010 were included. Information was collected concerning the demographic features of patients, and injury sites, injury types, initial injury severity scores at admission, and clinical features were evaluated. Results: Th irty-nine (73.6%) of the cases were male and 14 (26.4%) were female. Th e ages of the cases were 5–76 years with a mean age of 38.8 ± 18.3 years. Approximately 19% of the cases were considered slight injuries, 30.2% moderate, and 50.9% severe. In terms of age, a plurality of injuries 24 (45.3 %) occurred among those aged 19-45. Th e Glasgow Outcome Scale score for 37 patients was fi ve; it was four for 14 patients, and it was three for two patients. Conclusions: Our fi ndings suggest that the “pat-pat machine” is one of the most dangerous agricultural machines, particularly for adults. In rural areas of Turkey, agricultural machines cause serious injuries that require hospitalization.

Avaliação técnica de um transportador pneumático de grãos por aspiração / Technical evaluation of a suction pneumatic grain conveyor

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados da avaliação técnica do protótipo do transportador pneumático de grãos por aspiração ASP 200. O equipamento foi construído para uso em instalações armazenadoras agrícolas, na limpeza de pés de elevadores, moegas e renovação do ar em galerias de silos. Os testes avaliaram características mecânicas do equipamento, descargas de material e ar, perdas de carga, vedação do equipamento, eficiência dos captores e o diâmetro das mangueiras. Os resultados subsidiaram diversas recomendações para melhoria no projeto do equipamento, que aumentarão a sua eficiência operacional. Embora o transporte pneumático seja considerado uma ciência experimental, os autores notaram a falta de procedimentos, parâmetros e orientações para testes e comparações na literatura, que são fundamentais para o desenvolvimento do projeto desses transportadores.

This research shows the results that were obtained from technical evaluation of ASP 200 prototype that is a suction pneumatic grain conveyor. This equipment was built to use in agricultural storage facilities to clean bucket elevator feet, loading hoppers and air renovation in silo galleries. The tests have evaluated mechanical characteristics of conveyor, air and material discharges, pressure losses, air infiltration, intake nozzle efficiency and piping diameters. The results have allowed several recommendations to improve equipment design that will increase its operational efficiency. Although pneumatic conveying is considered an experimental science, the authors have perceived the lack of procedures, parameters and orientations to conduct tests and comparisons in literature, that are fundamental to develop a design of this conveyor type.