Agricultural Dust Exposures and Health and Safety Practices among Western Australian Wheatbelt Farmers during Harvest

Abstract

Background: Agricultural farmworkers are routinely exposed to high levels of airborne dust particles that have been linked to adverse health outcomes. Methods: This study measured personal and environmental exposures to dust particulates by farmworkers during harvesting activities. Farmers completed a workplace survey with regards to their health and safety awareness and practices and researchers observed general farm safety practices on selected farms using a checklist. Results: In this study, farmers were noted to commonly work extended hours and shifts during harvest due to rigid timing deadlines. Results showed that 40% of farmers were exposed to concentrations of inhalable particles greater than SafeWork Australia’s workplace exposure standards for grain dusts, assuming a 16 h working day over 5 shifts. Twenty-two percent were exposed to concentrations that were above the adjusted standard for 12 h shifts. Survey results showed that three-quarters of farm owners provided new workers with some type of induction related to farm safety, however this was mostly undertaken in an arbitrary manner. Despite noting that farming was a dusty occupation and reporting to use protective measures to reduce harmful dust exposures, no workers were observed to wear respiratory protection when working outside of the protection of a vehicle cabin. Conclusion: This study identified substantial gaps in health and safety knowledge among farm managers and workers, and improved education and training are highly recommended.

Every breath you take: Impacts of environmental dust exposure on intestinal barrier function–from the gut-lung axis to COVID-19

“…Farmers and farm workers are regularly exposed to agriculture dust ( 57 ). Adverse respiratory health effects including reduced lung function and shortness of breath ( 213 , 214 ) are directly linked to the components of agriculture particulate matter such as chemicals, bacteria, fungi, and viruses ( 35 , 76 ).…”

“…1 ) ( 18 , 35 , 56 ). In addition, the hazards of farming have been widely acknowledged with the primary environmental threat being exposure to pathogenic microbes and toxins generated during agricultural and swine farm field operations ( 57 ). Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the effects of airborne pollution, including agricultural- and concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)-associated particulate matter exposures, on the progression of gastrointestinal diseases through altered gut and lung bacterial and fungal communities.…”

“…Agricultural workers are at extreme risk of developing chronic airway inflammation and severe respiratory illnesses when exposed to workplace dust ( 126 , 127 ). These risks are further inflated by the absence of face respirators ( 57 ). Farmers who maintain crops may develop a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis referred to as “farmer’s lung” ( 128 , 129 ).…”

Kajian Literatur: Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan Kesehatan dan Keselamatan Kerja (K3) dengan Kejadian Kecelakaan Kerja

“…Dalam penelitian ini juga dijabarkan bahwa mayoritas pemilik tambak (36%) kembali menggunakan smartphone dan situs web seluler mereka untuk mendapatkan informasi terkait K3 karena dirasa dapat memberikan manfaat yang jauh lebih signifikan. 18 Ternyata, hal ini telah dibuktikan pada penelitian "Evaluation of Safety Management and Leadership Training Using Mobile Technologies Among Logging Supervisors" terhadap 31 responden pekerja lakilaki pengawas penebangan di sektor perhutanan dimana pelatihan K3 berbasis digital dianggap menyenangkan, mudah digunakan, efektif, dan lebih komprehensif. 19 Jadi, pengetahuan K3 dapat ditingkatkan dengan melakukan upaya promotif safety talk, pendidikan K3, dan pelatihan K3 kepada para pekerja di tempat kerja yang berbasis digital agar lebih efektif.…”

Kajian Literatur: Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan Kesehatan dan Keselamatan Kerja (K3) dengan Kejadian Kecelakaan Kerja

“…Dalam penelitian ini juga dijabarkan bahwa mayoritas pemilik tambak (36%) kembali menggunakan smartphone dan situs web seluler mereka untuk mendapatkan informasi terkait K3 karena dirasa dapat memberikan manfaat yang jauh lebih signifikan. 18 Ternyata, hal ini telah dibuktikan pada penelitian "Evaluation of Safety Management and Leadership Training Using Mobile Technologies Among Logging Supervisors" terhadap 31 responden pekerja lakipengawas penebangan di sektor perhutanan dimana pelatihan K3 berbasis digital dianggap menyenangkan, mudah digunakan, efektif, dan lebih komprehensif. 19 Jadi, pengetahuan K3 dapat ditingkatkan dengan melakukan upaya promotif safety talk, pendidikan K3, dan pelatihan K3 kepada para pekerja di tempat kerja yang berbasis digital agar lebih efektif.…”