Survey of Agricultural Machine-induced Injuries in Shiga Prefecture by Insurance Report, 1981-1992 / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

With the aim of clarifying issues related to the prevention of agricultural machineinduced injuries in Shiga Prefecture, we investigated, based on insurance reports, the yearly occurrence of injuries caused by agricultural machines for the period from 1982 to 1991.<BR>During this period, there were 914 cases of agricultural machine-induced injuries involving men and 288 cases involving women. The greatest number of cases, occurred in 1983 with 144, after which the number leveled off at about 100 annually. The main types of agricultural machinery linked to injuries were combines, mowers, tractors and tillers. Injuries caused by combines, tractors and tillers decreased in number or remained the same, while those by tillers increased. From 1989 to 1991, the proportion of victims in the over-60 age group was the highest of any age group. Moreover, to be noted is the fact that this was higher than the proportion of the over-60 age group among those engaged in agriculture in Shiga Prefecture. Injuries due to the handling and operating of combines and tractors decreased but there was no decrease in the number of injuries during threshing and tilling operations. The increase in injuries involving mowers is thought to be partially attributable to the increased number of mowers in use and their increased frequency of use in expanding border levees on slopes. To prevent injuries due to mowers, it will be necessary both to improve the machines and work environment, and introduce protective devices.