Abstract
To compare the epidemiology of farm with non-farm occupational injury deaths, we reviewed state medical examiner data for all occupational injury deaths in New Mexico from 1980 to 1991. We identified 53 farm-related injury deaths for a rate of 21.3 per 100,000 worker-years. Farm workers were four times more likely than non-farm workers to die from occupational injury. American Indians had the highest farm injury death rate. Farm decedents were older than non-farm decedents (t498 = 6.29, p < 0.0001). Half of the farm decedents were 50 years of age or older; one-third were 60 years of age or older. Crush injuries accounted for half of all farm injury deaths including 18 of 23 motor vehicle deaths, half of these involving a tractor roll-over. One in six farm injury deaths were from electrocution; one in five involved alcohol. Our study indicates that New Mexico has high farm-related injury mortality related to tractor use, alcohol intoxication, farm animals, and exposure to electricity. American Indians and older males are especially susceptible to these factors.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 257-261 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Accident Analysis and Prevention |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Alcohol
- Farm
- Fatality
- Injury
- Minorities
- Occupation
- Rural
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
- Law
- Human Factors and Ergonomics