Rates of farming injuries are 54% higher than other professions, ERSI study finds.
A recently-published ESRI study entitled, Analysis of Work-Related Injury and Illness 2001 to 2014, has revealed some interesting statistics regarding workplace injuries in the agricultural sector.
- Firstly, to get a fair idea of the numbers we’re talking about, in 2014 about 109,000 people were employed in this sector, making up 5.8% of total employment; this represents a sizeable chunk of the overall working population.
- One of the more stark statistics from the study revealed that injury rates in the agricultural sector are 54% higher than other professions.
- Between 2010 and 2014, the average injury rate causing any days off work was 34 per 1,000 workers, compared to 22 days across other sectors.
- Of particular interest to us as chartered physiotherapists was the finding that between 2002 and 2014, 63% of all illnesses reported by workers in the farming sector were due to musculoskeletal disorders causing issues such as back pain, compared to 47% across all other sectors.
- Elsewhere, the study found that men were at higher risk of work-related injury and illness than women, and, interestingly, people working fewer than 30 hours per week and variable hours were more at risk.
- Illness rates in this sector differ depending on worker age. People aged between 45–54 and over 65 are more likely to experience illness, compared to those under 35 years.
Our team of chartered physiotherapists at Mid West Physiotherapy are specialists in treating musculoskeletal injuries and occupational injuries, and regularly treat patients who are working in the agricultural sector. If you are concerned about farming injuries, we would be very glad to help. You can contact us via this website, or by ringing our clinic on 061-201444.
You can read the full study here.
