Aches, pains that afflict farmers

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 9

Aches, pains that afflict farmers

Wellington reporter Backache and pain in the joints are afflictions that most affect farmers. These are the findings of a national survey of 2300 farmers, conducted in October and November last year by the Agricultural Research Unit at Lincoln College, and released by the Minister of Health (Mr Gair'). The injuries and illnesses revealed in the survey were mainh’ predictable and associated with the occupation, Mr Gair said. The popular concept of the farmer as a healthy and rugged individual held true. Fifty-seven per cent of farmers said they had had back pains, in the 12 months up to the survey, and that these were associated with lifting and shearing. Twenty-six per cent said that they did not feel comfortable sitting on their tractors or other machines for more than an hour. Eighteen per cent said their machines vibrated in such a way as to cause them discomfort or injury.

One-third of respondents said they suffered from longterm backaches, but they were not severe enough to hinder normal work. Eighteen per cent said they had pain in their hip joints. Thirteen per cent of all farmers, and 16 per cent of crop farmers said they suffered long-term partial or full loss of hearing, and 91

per cent said they used ear muffs or plugs/ One-third used them on tractors (more than half of crop farmers), and one-quarter wore them when using chain saws. Ten per cent had had eve injuries in the 12 months before the review. Most affected were farmers under 35. and the main causes were given as flying objects and dust. Ten per cent said they had fully or partially lost sight from .injury or infection.

One-third said they did not own any visual safety aids: 23 per cent owned safety glasses. 26 per cent goggles, and 20 per cent face shields. Just more than one-third used their aids regularly. Thirty-nine per cent did not wear protective clothing when they handled chemicals; 8 per cent always did. Crop farmers wore it most often, and mainly to protect arms and hands. One-tenth always wore protective clothing when burns might occur, one-fifth did so sometimes. Five per cent of respondents had been burned in the proceeding 12 months by water or steam, fire and the sun.

Nine per cent said they had had skin cancer, and that the face, head and neck were the most prone: Surgery had been the main treatment.

■ The report said there were significant regional differences in cancer incidence. South Island districts were all below the national aver-

age. and Northland provincial districts were highest at 15 per cent. Ten per cent of those surveyed had been injured by machines, mainly farm mo-tor-cycles. Tractors, tractor implements, chain saws and shearing equipment were also high on the list.

About one-fifth had been injured by animals, mainly by cattle. Four per cent had had illnesses caused by animals. Oh dairy farms figures were higher. 8 per cent, mainly from leptospirosis. One-third of respondents were within eight kilometres of a doctor, one-half within 14 kilometres, and 70 per cent within 20 kilometres. Almost two-thirds were able to make an appointment to see a doctor the same day. and 90 per cent within two days. Eleven per cent of Southland respondents were unable to get a doctor's appointment within four days. Fourteen per cent of respondents had been admitted to hosital in the last three years, mainly for surgery on broken bones, hernias and cartilages. In 40 per cent of respondents’ homes someone had completed a first aid course. Four per cent said their health had been affected by chemicals. This figure was higher in Northland (7 per cent). Weedicides, dips and drenches were the main causes, by inhalation. Ten per cent said they did

not drink alcohol, 74 per cent said they never smoked.

Thirty-nine per cent said they. had drunk one jug of beer in the last two days. 4 per cent said they drank more than they wanted to, and 0.4 per cent said their drinking adversely affected their farm.

More than half said thej T had not lost any days off work in the proceeding year, one-third lost less than a week, 12 per cent from a week to a month, and 4 per cent more than a month. The questionnaires were answered by 2300 farmers, out of an estimated 45.000 who work holdings of more than 20 hectares.

The main type of farming (more than half of the respondent's gross income) in the survey results was sheep, 49.9 per cent, and dairy farming. 33.7 per cent. A total 40.5 per cent of respondents farmed up to 100 hectares, 40.7 per cent farmed from 101-300 hectares. and 18.7 per cent more than 300 hectares.

Eighty-nine per cent cent were married, 7.8 per cent single, and 2 per cent divorced or separated.