Older farmers at greater risk

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag. Rep.

A new study analyzing eleven calendar years of agricultural fatality data from 1990 to 2000 has found that 440 persons aged 60 or over died in agricultural injury events. Ninety-one percent of those killed were male. This number represents over a third of all the agricultural fatalities in Canada from 1990 to 2000, even though older adults comprise only 13% of the national farm population.
The Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program (CAISP) report, funded by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, found that the percentage of older persons killed due to contact with animals was 2.5 times higher (30.8%) than for those aged 15-59 (12.1%). The difference in the incidence of machine-related falls between the younger and older age groups was even larger. The percentage of older persons who died because of falls from moving machines (10.5%) was 2.8 times greater than the percentage of those aged 15-59 killed by that injury mechanism (3.7%).
“The study of agricultural injuries by CAISP over 15 years makes it clear that older farmers experience a substantially increased risk for fatal injury than younger farmers.”, said Dr. Rob Brison, Co-Director of CAISP. “The CAISP study examines serious injuries that resulted in death. It is the risk for these serious injuries that older farmers are most exposed to.”
“Older farmers may have limitations in reaction times, weakened muscular strength or other health conditions such as arthritis that impact mobility,” said Dr. Don Voaklander, co-author of the report. “Based on the data, prevention programs directed at older farmers should focus on the recognition that age-related change impacts an older farmer’s ability to conduct typical work-related agricultural tasks. Of particular note are machinery and animal related activities where balance and quick reaction time enhance a person’s ability to avoid hazards.”
The new CAISP report “Agricultural Fatalities in Canada 1990-2000: Focus on Older Farmers and Workers” (ISBN 978-0-9734118-7-4), is available online at the CAISP website at www.caisp.ca, or follow the links at www.casa-acsa.ca.