The Distribution and Characteristics of Farm Accidents in Louisiana

  • Bertrand, Alvin L.;
  • Novack, Joseph A.;
  • Paterson, Karen W.
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AUTHOR ABSTRACT

The study of farm accidents was inspired by the fact that accidents represent one of the most important problems related to rural life and farming. Information on accidents was obtained from a survey of farms in 25 of Louisiana's 64 parishes. These parishes, chosen at random, reflect the various characteristics of land-type and land-use found throughout the state. A sample of 1,561 farms from 25 parishes were monitored for accidents over a period of one year. Analysis of the data obtained determined that:

One hundred eighty-two accidents occurred in 1970 on the farms in the sample population. This was an average of one accident for every nine farms.

  • Seven out of 10 accidents reported involved such injuries as cuts and bruises. Only those instances where the victim lost at least a half-day's work or had to see a doctor were counted as accidents.
  • The majority of farm accidents reported (59 percent) occurred while the individual involved was performing farm work.
  • Interestingly, 80 percent of the accidents involved such things as slips, falls, and accidents of a general nature. The high percentage of the latter implies that although farm machinery safety programs are essential, general safety programs are also important and needed.

SOURCE AND NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE ID#

SOURCE: Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University, Agricultural Experiment Station, 1972. 22.

NLOM ID#: No ID#.

This document was extracted from the CDC-NIOSH Epidemiology of Farm Related Injuries: Bibliography With Abstracts, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

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