From research to safe practice on farms - the impact of research by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety on policy and practice

Data compiled by the National Farm Injury Data Centre indicates a significant reduction in the number of farm deaths in the past 20 years. In the 1989-92 period there was an average of 146 deaths per year, while in the most recent period for which national data is available 2003-06, this has reduced to 82 deaths per year. In raw numbers, this represents a reduction of 44% over this period. Additionally, if measured in terms of deaths per 10,000 farms or per 100,000 employees over the same periods, there has been a 35% and 54% drop in respective death rates. The Centre with its active research program has been the key driver in national initiatives to reduce death rates in the agricultural population. This document summarizes the nature of the action research that has been undertaken by the Centre and how these results have been applied to enhance the health and safety of agricultural industries in Australia

Beyond 50. challenges at work for older nurses and allied health workers in rural Australia: a thematic analysis of focus group discussions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The health workforce in Australia is ageing, particularly in rural areas, where this change will have the most immediate implications for health care delivery and workforce needs. In rural areas, the sustainability of health services will be dependent upon nurses and allied health workers being willing to work beyond middle age, yet the particular challenges for older health workers in rural Australia are not well known. The purpose of this research was to identify aspects of work that have become more difficult for rural health workers as they have become older; and the age-related changes and exacerbating factors that contribute to these difficulties. Findings will support efforts to make workplaces more 'user-friendly' for older health workers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nurses and allied health workers aged 50 years and over were invited to attend one of six local workshops held in the Hunter New England region of NSW, Australia. This qualitative action research project used a focus group methodology and thematic content analysis to identify and interpret issues arising from workshop discussions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eighty older health workers from a range of disciplines attended the workshops. Tasks and aspects of work that have become more difficult for older health workers in hospital settings, include reading labels and administering medications; hearing patients and colleagues; manual handling; particular movements and postures; shift work; delivery of babies; patient exercises and suturing. In community settings, difficulties relate to vehicle use and home visiting. Significant issues across settings include ongoing education, work with computers and general fatigue. Wider personal challenges include coping with change, balancing work-life commitments, dealing with attachments and meeting goals and expectations. Work and age-related factors that exacerbate difficulties include vision and hearing deficits, increasing tiredness, more complex professional roles and a sense of not being valued in the context of greater perceived workload.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Older health workers are managing a range of issues, on top of the general challenges of rural practice. Personal health, wellbeing and other realms of life appear to take on increasing importance for older health workers when faced with increasing difficulties at work. Solutions need to address difficulties at personal, workplace and system wide levels.</p

Farm worker safety induction - a practical guide for employers. Employer guideline.

Outlines what a farm safety induction is and why it is important. Suggests the best way to carry out an induction. Explains how the induction assists with legal compliance and provides a summary of responsibilities for various individuals working on the farm. Some basic injury statistics are also included

Farm worker safety induction - a practical guide for employers. Employer guideline.

Outlines what a farm safety induction is and why it is important. Suggests the best way to carry out an induction. Explains how the induction assists with legal compliance and provides a summary of responsibilities for various individuals working on the farm. Some basic injury statistics are also included

Alcohol and Farm Workplace Project

Provides a review of literature in relation to the impact of alcohol on farm injury in an Australian setting. Outlines current data within NSW comparing alcohol use between farm and non-farm populationsAlcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundatio

Climate change and farmers' mental health: Risks and responses

Climate change is exacerbating climate variability, evident in more frequent and severe weather-related disasters, such as droughts, fires, and floods. Most of what is known about the possible effects of climate change on rural mental health relates to prolonged drought. But though drought is known to be a disproportionate and general stressor, evidence is mixed and inconclusive. Over time, like drought other weather-related disasters may erode the social and economic bases on which farming communities depend. Rural vulnerability to mental health problems is greatly increased by socioeconomic disadvantage. Related factors may compound this, such as reduced access to health services as communities decline and a “stoical” culture that inhibits help-seeking. Australia has the world’s most variable climate and is a major global agricultural producer. Yet despite Australia’s (and, especially, rural communities’) dependence on farmers’ well-being and success, there is very little—and inconclusive—quantitative evidence about farmers’ mental health. The aim of this review is to consider, with a view to informing other countries, how climate change and related factors may affect farmers’ mental health in Australia. That information is a prerequisite to identifying, selecting, and evaluating adaptive strategies, to lessen the risks of adverse mental health outcomes. The authors identify the need for a systematic epidemiology of the mental health of farmers facing increasing climate change— related weather adversity. </jats:p

Occupational Health and Safety on Australian Farms: 1. Farmers&apos; Perceptions of Major Hazards

Abstract A subset of data from a larger survey of 335 farm enterprises throughout New South Wales was examined, focusing specifically on farmers&apos; perceptions about major hazards on Australian farms. The data collected from participating enterprises clearly demonstrate that there is a disconnect between what farmers perceive as the risks on their farm and what hazards and risks cause the highest rates of fatalities in Australian agriculture. For example, previous research has shown that tractors were the most commonly reported agent of death by injury on Australian farms over the period 2001-04, accounting for 19 per cent of fatalities, followed by all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs). However, a frequency analysis of identified risks or hazards by study participants, rated tractors at 20th, with ATVs even further down the list at 27th; just 11 of the 335 enterprises rated ATVs as a risk on their farms. The most frequently reported injury agent by study participants was livestock handling and stockyards, followed by silos and chemical handling. While these agents are seen commonly in farm safety campaigns and promotions due to the legislative requirements with training and operation, with the exception of livestock handling, they do not feature highly in injury hospitalisation, and none of these agents feature in the causation of deaths on farms

Occupational Health and Safety on Australian Farms: 1. Farmers&apos; Perceptions of Major Hazards

Abstract A subset of data from a larger survey of 335 farm enterprises throughout New South Wales was examined, focusing specifically on farmers&apos; perceptions about major hazards on Australian farms. The data collected from participating enterprises clearly demonstrate that there is a disconnect between what farmers perceive as the risks on their farm and what hazards and risks cause the highest rates of fatalities in Australian agriculture. For example, previous research has shown that tractors were the most commonly reported agent of death by injury on Australian farms over the period 2001-04, accounting for 19 per cent of fatalities, followed by all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs). However, a frequency analysis of identified risks or hazards by study participants, rated tractors at 20th, with ATVs even further down the list at 27th; just 11 of the 335 enterprises rated ATVs as a risk on their farms. The most frequently reported injury agent by study participants was livestock handling and stockyards, followed by silos and chemical handling. While these agents are seen commonly in farm safety campaigns and promotions due to the legislative requirements with training and operation, with the exception of livestock handling, they do not feature highly in injury hospitalisation, and none of these agents feature in the causation of deaths on farms

Service network analysis for agricultural mental health

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Farmers represent a subgroup of rural and remote communities at higher risk of suicide attributed to insecure economic futures, self-reliant cultures and poor access to health services. Early intervention models are required that tap into existing farming networks. This study describes service networks in rural shires that relate to the mental health needs of farming families. This serves as a baseline to inform service network improvements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A network survey of mental health related links between agricultural support, health and other human services in four drought declared shires in comparable districts in rural New South Wales, Australia. Mental health links covered information exchange, referral recommendations and program development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>87 agencies from 111 (78%) completed a survey. 79% indicated that two thirds of their clients needed assistance for mental health related problems. The highest mean number of interagency links concerned information exchange and the frequency of these links between sectors was monthly to three monthly. The effectiveness of agricultural support and health sector links were rated as less effective by the agricultural support sector than by the health sector (p < .05). The most highly linked across all areas of activity were Rural Financial Counsellors, the Department of Primary Industry Drought Support Workers and Community Health Centres. Hence for a mental health service network targeting farming families these are three key agencies across the spectrum of case work to program development. The study limitations in describing service networks relate to the accuracy of network bounding, self report bias and missing data from non participants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Aligning with agricultural agencies is important to build effective mental health service pathways to address the needs of farming populations. Work is required to ensure that these agricultural support agencies have operational and effective links to primary mental health care services. Network analysis provides a baseline to inform this work. With interventions such as local mental health training and joint service planning to promote network development we would expect to see over time an increase in the mean number of links, the frequency in which these links are used and the rated effectiveness of these links.</p

Building effective service linkages in primary mental health care: a narrative review part 2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary care services have not generally been effective in meeting mental health care needs. There is evidence that collaboration between primary care and specialist mental health services can improve clinical and organisational outcomes. It is not clear however what factors enable or hinder effective collaboration. The objective of this study was to examine the factors that enable effective collaboration between specialist mental health services and primary mental health care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A narrative and thematic review of English language papers published between 1998 and 2009. An expert reference group helped formulate strategies for policy makers. Studies of descriptive and qualitative design from Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe, USA and Canada were included. Data were extracted on factors reported as enablers or barriers to development of service linkages. These were tabulated by theme at clinical and organisational levels and the inter-relationship between themes was explored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A thematic analysis of 30 papers found the most frequently cited group of factors was "partnership formation", specifically role clarity between health care workers. Other factor groups supporting clinical partnership formation were staff support, clinician attributes, clinic physical features and evaluation and feedback. At the organisational level a supportive institutional environment of leadership and change management was important. The expert reference group then proposed strategies for collaboration that would be seen as important, acceptable and feasible. Because of the variability of study types we did not exclude on quality and findings are weighted by the number of studies. Variability in local service contexts limits the generalisation of findings.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings provide a framework for health planners to develop effective service linkages in primary mental health care. Our expert reference group proposed five areas of strategy for policy makers that address organisational level support, joint clinical problem solving, local joint care guidelines, staff training and supervision and feedback.</p