Assessment of the condition of Iowa augers, auger-related injuries, and farmers' perceptions about auger-related injuries

This study provides an insight into auger-related injuries, Iowa farmers' perceptions of auger-related injuries and the condition of augers used in Iowa agriculture. Specific auger-related injury data (437 records) from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) was examined and interpreted. The most likely body part injured was the finger and 11:00 A.M., 3:00 P.M., and 5:00 P.M. were the times of the day with the highest number of injuries reported. In addition, a survey was administered to 400 farmers to ascertain their awareness of auger-related injuries and to determine the condition of their augers. Farmers' perceptions of what body part is most likely to be injured by an auger and the level of severity expected from those injuries coincided with injury records from 1993 to 1997. A total 34% of the primary and secondary augers reported were unshielded or without guarding. This assessment provides insight for development of intervention countermeasures to reduce auger-related injuries.     

Assessment of Iowa farmers' perceptions about auger safety

A survey of Iowa farmers was conducted to assess the farmers' perceptions and beliefs regarding auger safety and how these perceptions are put into practice. A questionnaire was designed to obtain information on the following auger-related topics: recognition of safe practices and appropriate shielding, personal practices and behaviors, risk perception, and personal beliefs. A random sample of 400 Iowa farmers (arrayed by county) was selected to be representative of Iowa farms. The response to the mailed survey was 23%. Some returned surveys were eliminated because the respondent was retired or did not own/operate augers, resulting in 57 usable questionnaires. Survey responses indicate that the majority of Iowa farmers who participated in this study can correctly identify appropriate shielding for auger intake that meet or exceed ASAE standards. Survey responses suggest that it is common practice in Iowa for youth (age 13 to 19) to operate augers. Iowa farmers in this study perceive the most important contributing factors to auger-related injuries to be operating an auger without shielding, failure to pay attention on the job, moving augers in a raised position, and using hand or feet to redirect the flow of grain. Survey results also indicate that carelessness is perceived to be the leading cause of auger-related injuries, and that auger related injuries can be avoided by having respect for the equipment, being careful, and using common sense. The results also show that the Iowa farmers who participated in this study commonly perform auger-related practices (e.g., moving an auger in a raised position) that they identify as being unsafe.     

Case reports of on-site investigations of auger-related farm injuries

Previous reports have indicated that injuries involving augers (screw conveyors) are a serious problem in agriculture, but to date on-site engineering inspections linking injuries to mechanical and procedural aspects have not been available. This article details four events involving injuries as the result of being entangled in auger flighting. In each report, the circumstances surrounding the injury event are outlined, and the machinery involved is evaluated in terms of its compliance with current safety standards. In three of the four instances, the machinery did not conform to current guarding standards or to safety sign standards. In these three cases, injuries were preventable with improved guarding according to ASAE Standards. In the other case, the machine complied with ASAE Standards, but the injury could have been prevented with improved guarding of the auger flighting.     

Measurement of operator exposure to power take-off driven augers

Prior studies at Purdue University have shown that PTO entanglements occur most frequently on portable grain augers. A research project was conducted to measure operator exposure to PTO components and document work patterns during the use of grain augers. Information on the methodologies used to measure operator exposure is presented along with data on exposure to conventional grain augers while unloading from trucks and wagons, extended dump hopper augers, and swing-away hopper augers. It was found that operators had a higher exposure time to operating PTO components when the driveline was located on the right side of the grain auger, as one stands facing the hopper end of the auger, than on the left side of the grain auger when using conventional grain augers and grain trucks. It was determined that this added exposure was due to the position of the driver's door of the truck, the natural path of the driver from the operator's seat to the rear of the truck, and the movement of the truck body into the workspace when tilted. Of all scenarios examined, operators had the highest exposure time when using conventional grain augers and gravity-flow grain wagons. Operators had no recorded exposure time when operating swing-away hopper augers. Recommendations were made based on the observations of this study for reducing operator exposure through increased awareness of hazards and reconfiguration of the way augers are incorporated into grain handling operations.     

Analysis of 151 agricultural driveline-related incidents resulting in fatal and non-fatal injuries to U.S. children and adolescents under age 18 from 1970 through 2004

Agricultural driveline-related incidents have been identified as an important cause of farm-related injury resulting in death and permanently disabling conditions to children and adolescents. A database of driveline-related injuries, including both PTO drivelines and secondary shafts and drivelines on agricultural equipment, developed at Purdue University was mined to identify all cases involving children and adolescents under age 18 who had been involved in a driveline-related incident from 1970 through 2004. Although these incidents did not account for a high percentage of all childhood farm-related injuries, this age group was found to make up nearly one in four documented agricultural driveline incidents. Of the 685 cases in the database with known ages, 151 were identified as youth under age 18. Findings indicated that these incidents often resulted in catastrophic injuries including amputation, spinal cord injuries, and compound bone fractures. Over the period studied, the trend in documented cases is declining, with recent years reporting below the yearly average and 2004 reporting no fatalities. Youth, primarily males, age 13 had the highest frequency of incidents, and over 50% of all cases occurred to youth ages 12 to 17. Fall was identified as the season with the most reported incidents. Amputations were documented in nearly 50% of all cases, and augers, elevators, and conveyors were the machines most frequently identified as being involved in the incident. Recommendations and strategies that specifically target the childhood injury problem related to agricultural drivelines are provided.     

Nonfatal occupational injury among California farm operators

We conducted a population-based telephone survey addressing farm-work-related (FWR) injuries among California farm operators. Of 1947 participants (80.4% response), 135 farm operators reported 160 FWR injuries in the preceding year, yielding a one-year cumulative incidence for any FWR injury of 6.9% (95% CI 5.8%-8.2%), or a mean 8.2 FWR injuries per 100 farmers in the preceding year (95% CI 6.8-9.7). Multiple injury events in the same individual occurred more frequently than predicted by chance. Sprains and strains (29.4%) were the most frequently reported injury and predominantly involved the back. Overexertion represented the most frequent external cause (24.2%), followed by machinery (14.3%), falls (13.0%), and animals (12.4%). Factors associated with FWR injury included white ethnicity (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.38-7.36), increased annual hours worked on the farm, low levels of administrative work, and increased percentage of time working with livestock. FWR injury experience of California farm operators is comparable with that reported for other agricultural populations. Above-expected frequency of multiple injuries supports involvement of personal or environmental risk factors. Preventive efforts should focus on higher-risk groups and preventing overexertion and muscle strain and injury related to machinery, falls, and animals, especially livestock.     

Safety assessments of agricultural machinery in Iran

Serious agriculture-related accidents are increasing in Iran, and this has come to the attention of authorities and planners. Due to the lack of data for this region of the world, research was conducted in different states of Iran to assess the most common causes of agriculture-related injuries. The relevant factors were divided into the three groups: personal, mechanical, and environmental. The major personal factors were education level, age, experience, injured limb, hospitalization period, gender, injury level, training, working hours, and insurance. The mechanical factors were machine type, machine part, mechanism of injury, machine's effective life, work activity at the time of injury, safety equipment, and insurance. The environmental factors were time of incident, geographical conditions of the accident location, and the time lapse between the accident and arrival at the hospital. The interactions between the various factors were also analyzed. All data were collected directly from farmers or their relatives. Data collection efforts were led by an official from the nearest health center or the local government agricultural office. The results indicated that 53% of injuries were related to personal factors, and 40% were related to the combination of personal and mechanical factors. The results confirmed that tractors and rotating parts were associated with the highest percentage of injuries in machine-related accidents. Lack of safety equipment and working beyond effective machine life was also observed in most cases. Personal factors need to be carefully considered in this region; insufficient levels of education and training were the main personal factors related to agricultural accidents. The results suggest that experience without training does not prevent injury, as more than 80% of injuries occurred to individuals with no training. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant effect of safety equipment and training on injuries. This study showed that agricultural injuries were severe in 60% of cases.     

玉米果穗螺旋摩擦输送装置的输送性能试验

为解决小型玉米联合收获机上难于配置果穗输送装置的问题,该文利用自制玉米果穗输送试验台,试验研究了玉米果穗螺旋摩擦输送搅龙的叶片高度、导向侧板倾角、导向侧板位置角、搅龙升运角和搅龙转速等对玉米果穗输送性能的影响,验证了玉米果穗输送装置对不同状态果穗的适应性。果穗处于下降侧输送、螺旋叶片高度20 mm、转速300 r/min、侧板位置角70°、侧板倾角75°的情况下,可以较好的完成玉米果穗的输送,有效避免了传统螺旋输送装置输送过程中引起的果穗损伤。     

Nonfatal injury rates of Utah agricultural producers

The purposes of this study were to identify the source and frequency of agricultural injuries in Utah, and determine an injury rate for common agricultural activities. Previous studies conducted in Utah examined injury rates by utilizing emergency room logs. This study collected data directly from the source, farmers and ranchers in Utah, and included all modes of treatment. A random sample of Utah Farm Bureau members were mailed questionnaires to assess the number of injuries occurring during the past three years, the mode of treatment for the most recent injury, and the percentage of time spent in hazardous activities. The rate of injuries requiring medical treatment (19.9%) observed in this survey-based study was higher than reported in previous studies at the state and national level. Nearly half (48.7%) of the injuries reported were treated at home or by a family member. As in the previous Utah studies, working with horses was found to be the single most dangerous activity for agriculturalists in Utah in terms of injuries per unit time of exposure, followed by servicing agricultural machinery.     

Safety and animal handling practices among women dairy operators

This article presents suggestions toward safer animal handling utilizing the results of a qualitative study of women dairy farmers in Finland. A major proportion of injuries (43%) occur in livestock-related work in Finnish agriculture. An even greater proportion of women's farm injuries (77%) is related to animals. We investigated the working conditions often women dairy farmers. Data were collected by observing farm work and performing semi-structured interviews. The study farms represented different milk production technologies with an average farm size of 106 ha (262 acres) of cultivated land, 51 ha (126 acres) of forest, and 45 dairy cows. Farm-related injuries were frequent; eight respondents out often had suffered one or several injuries during the previous two years. The women considered farm animals as the greatest hazard, and unexpected animal behavior was viewed as the most significant work-related injury risk. Dangerous situations often resulted from stress in cows caused by unpleasant circumstances or making animals fearful of people. Experiences from some farms suggested that dairy farm work can be relatively safe and that improving the trust between the cows and their handlers plays a key role in safety. We synthesized our findings into four animal handling strategies that can potentially reduce the risk of injury among stockpersons. We developed practical guidelines on how to gradually build a good cow-handler relationship based on our findings and the literature on cattle handling strategies and animal welfare science.     

压力式谷物产量监测系统优化与试验验证

为了提高谷物收获作业过程中谷物产量在线监测的精度,研制了基于谷物流压力原理的车载谷物产量在线监测系统,该系统包括谷物流量监测装置、定位装置、割台高度控制开关、核心处理器以及人机交互装置。以谷物产量与谷物流压力间的谷物产量监测数学模型为指导,搭建了谷物产量监测试验台,采用Box-Behnken试验设计方法优化谷物流量监测装置结构参数,研究了传感器数量、传感器安装位置和监测装置水平倾角对谷物产量监测系统测产误差的影响,确定了最优参数组合为传感器数量5、传感器安装位置0.24 cm、监测装置水平倾角5°,并对最优参数组合进行了验证试验,结果表明,谷物产量监测系统测产误差为3.27%,满足谷物产量监测的精度要求。对谷物产量监测系统田间实际效果进行了试验验证,试验结果表明,田间测产误差为5.28%,生成的产量分布图为后续田间作业管理提供了决策依据。     

冲量式谷物流量传感器测产信号处理方法

为研究冲量式谷物流量传感器背景振动噪声的提取及剔除方法,以减小背景振动噪声对其测产精度的影响,设计了一套冲量式谷物流量传感器室内标定台架,通过变频调速器控制驱动电机实现输粮搅龙和刮板升运器转速的改变以模拟联合收割机的不同田间工况,并对双板差分冲量式谷物流量传感器的测产信号处理方法进行了研究。通过算术均值滤波初步滤除测量板和参考板输出信号中的随机噪声,通过对参考板滤波输出信号的离散傅里叶变换(discrete Fourier transform,DFT)提取背景噪声的频谱特性,通过测量板和参考板DFT结果的频域差分实现测量板输出信号中背景噪声的剔除,对频域差分结果进行离散傅里叶逆变换(inverse discrete Fourier transform,IDFT)即可得到剔除了背景振动噪声后的传感器输出信号,再对其进行二次算术均值滤波,即得到最终的测产输出信号。通过室内台架标定,建立了谷物籽粒流量与测产输出信号和升运器速度之间的标定模型,并进行了室内模拟测产试验。试验结果表明:谷物流量范围为0.5~2.3 kg/s时,在不同的变频调速器输出频率下,最大测产误差不大于3.1%,测产精度较高且比较稳定,频域差分处理方法能较好地实现双板差分冲量式谷物流量传感器背景振动噪声的剔除。该研究可为冲量式谷物流量传感器测产系统的开发提供参考。     

A community-based telephone survey of work and injuries in teenage agricultural workers

In order to estimate the one-year cumulative incidence of work-related injuries in teenage agricultural workers and to characterize the patterns and types of agricultural work performed by teenagers, we performed a community-based random-digit dialing telephone survey. We used a sampling frame of farm and non-farm households to access information on teenage agricultural workers. An agricultural community in eastern Washington State was selected due to the high number of teenage youth and its agricultural economy. Teenage agricultural workers who worked for an agricultural business owned by one of their family members were more likely to work a greater number of seasons, work fewer hours per week, perform tasks involving driving, animal care, and mechanic work, and were less likely to be seasonal workers or work in the harvest than teenagers who did not work for a family member. A similar pattern of work differences was seen when comparing non-Hispanic to Hispanic agricultural workers. Teenagers working for a family member in agriculture had a higher injury rate than teenagers working for an agricultural business not owned by a family member. The injury rate among Hispanic teenage agricultural workers was also higher than that of non-Hispanics.     

Agricultural injuries among operation household members: RRIS-II 1999

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude and consequences of agricultural injuries, and to reveal potential risk factors among agricultural household members. The Regional Rural Injury Study (RRIS-II) collected injury and exposure data on agricultural households of 16,538 people in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska for each six-month period of 1999. Adjusted injury rates, consequences, and potential risk factors were identified through analyses. Selection of variables for multivariate analyses was based on a causal model. Injuries reported here occurred while the individuals were involved in activities associated with their own farm or ranch, unless otherwise stated. Estimates of injury rates and the effects of various exposures were derived by Poisson and logistic regression. These models accounted for correlation within both subject and household, and were adjusted for non-response. The rate of agricultural injury to household members on their own operation was 74.5 injuries per 1,000 persons per year. Differences in rates due to age and gender diminished when rates were calculated according to hours worked. Although only 5% of injured persons required in-patient hospitalization, 28% required emergency department treatment, and 84% required some type of professional health care. Moreover, 47% of all injuries required time off from agricultural work, and 7% required time off from non-agricultural work. In multivariate analyses, decreased risks were associated with Minnesota, and increased risks were identified for those with prior injuries and for males.This study provides a basis for further research on agricultural injuries and their prevention.     

Health risk behaviors and work injury among hispanic adolescents and farmworkers

Adolescents may engage in health risk behaviors that increase their likelihood of injury. Employment places adolescents at risk of work-related injuries. This study responds to the paucity of data on the relationship between adolescent health risk behaviors and work-related injury. This cross-sectional study included the administration of anonymous surveys to ninth graders (n=4914) who attended high schools in south Texas. An aggregate risk score (ARS) was developed based on health risk behaviors. The ARS was analyzed as an outcome using linear regression. Associations between health risk behaviors and work-related injury were assessed with logistic regression. Of the respondents, 19% reported they had a job, and 14% reported that they had been employed in farmwork. Farmwork-related injury was reported by 9% of adolescents, and 12% reported other work-related injury. Mean ARS scores were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for both male and female adolescents who reported a work-related injury compared to nonworking adolescents, and for males who had done migrant farmwork compared to all other adolescent males. The ARS increased as hours worked per week increased. After controlling for confounding factors, a statistically significant association was found between ARS and non-farmwork, work-related injury, but not between ARS and farmwork-related injury. Farmworkers with high ARS were more likely to report non-farmwork, work-related injuries. The predictors of work-related injury in the adolescent groups, particularly for farmworkers and migrants who are under additional stress, remain an important occupational health area to be addressed.     

分段螺旋式甘草茎秆揉切装置设计与试验

针对全混合日粮饲草料揉切需求，该研究设计了一种分段螺旋式甘草茎秆揉切装置，对分段螺旋叶片的主体结构和搅龙结构参数进行设计，建立了刃口曲线方程，分析了装置揉切机理，并试制了分段螺旋式甘草茎秆揉切装置试验台。以搅龙转速、加工时间、填充系数、刀片与底壳间隙为因素，以粒度、破节率、单位质量能耗为指标，开展四因素三水平Box-Behnken试验，对试验结果进行方差分析和二次回归拟合，得出各因素对粒度影响显著性由大到小为加工时间、搅龙转速、填充系数、刀片与底壳间隙；对破节率的影响显著性由大到小为加工时间、填充系数、搅龙转速、刀片与底壳间隙；对单位质量能耗的影响显著性由大到小为填充系数、加工时间、搅龙转速、刀片与底壳间隙。对交互影响因素进行响应曲面分析并进行参数优化验证试验，结果表明：当搅龙转速为25 r/min、加工时间为12 min、填充系数为0.46、刀片与底壳间隙为15 mm时，甘草茎秆的揉切粉碎粒度为11.76 mm，破节率为83.27%，此时单位质量能耗为9 959.82 J/kg，试验值与模型理论值误差不超过7%，参数优化模型合理，满足作业要求。研究结果可为全混合日粮搅拌机的研发提供理论依据。     

Effect of age on hospitalized machine-related farm injuries among the Saskatchewan farm population

Machinery-related injuries are the leading cause of fatal and hospitalized injuries on Canadian farms. In Saskatchewan, the proportion of all farm injuries related to farm machinery exceeds that reported for all of Canada. This project examined the relationship between age and various factors associated with farm machine-related injuries in Saskatchewan. A retrospective review of hospital discharge data from the administrative data set of Saskatchewan Health was conducted using external cause of injury codes to identify cases of farm machinery injury that occurred in Saskatchewan during the period April 1, 1990, to March 31, 2000. Log linear estimates of association of various factors in four age groups were derived. There were 1,493 hospitalizations attributed to farm machinery-related injuries. Among the injured cohort, age was a predictor of the rate of injury. Significant association for nature of injury, mechanism of injury, and type of machine varied by age group. These data provide insights for a case-control study of farm machinery-related injuries with the objective of determining personal, environmental, and machine-related factors that are responsible for this serious public health issue.     

Farm noise emissions during common agricultural activities

Noise injury in agriculture is a significant yet often unrecognized problem. Many farmers, farm workers, and family members are exposed to noise levels above recommended levels and have greater hearing loss than their non-farming contemporaries. The aim of this study was to gather up-to-date information on farm noise levels and to enhance the quality of information available to assist farmers in reducing noise exposure and meeting Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations regarding noise management. Farm visits were conducted on 48 agricultural establishments that produce a range of commodities. Noise levels were measured at the ears of operators and bystanders involved in typical activities on farms. The average and peak noise levels were measured for 56 types of machinery or sites of farming activity, totaling 298 separate items and activities. Common noise hazards identified included firearms, tractors without cabs, workshop tools, small motors (e.g., chainsaws, augers, pumps), manual handling of pigs, shearing sheds, older cabbed tractors, and heavy machinery such as harvesters, bulldozers, and cotton module presses. We found that use of firearms without hearing protection presents a pressing hearing health priority. However, farming activities involving machinery used for prolonged periods also present significant risks to farmers' hearing health. Noise management strategies on the farm are essential in order to prevent noise injury among farmers.     

玉米螺旋式清选装置的设计与试验

针对传统振动筛存在噪音大、筛分效率不高等问题,该文基于螺旋输送原理设计出一种玉米螺旋式清选装置,装置主要由输送搅龙、料槽、半圆筛片、减速电机、变频器等组成。输送搅龙外径为100 mm,螺距为100 mm,工作长度为2 000 mm,螺旋轴轴径为20 mm,6 mm孔径的筛片开孔率约为40%,16 mm孔径的筛片开孔率约为35%。以筛分效率和破碎率增加值为试验指标,对含水率为14.5%的玉米分别进行大杂清选试验和小杂清选试验。大杂清选试验结果显示,筛分主要在筛片前部分完成,且破碎率随着输送搅龙转速的增加而增加。小杂单因素试验表明,随着输送搅龙转速的增大,筛分效率逐渐增加,破碎率增加值逐渐增大;随着初始填充系数的增加,筛分效率缓慢降低,破碎率增加值逐渐增大;随着输送角度的增大,筛分效率先增加后减小,破碎率增加值逐渐增加。小杂正交试验结果表明,3种试验因素的最优组合为初始填充系数20%,输送角度0°,输送搅龙转速500 r/min;显著性检验结果显示,输送搅龙转速对筛分效率和破碎率增加值的影响均显著（P<0.05）;输送角度对筛分效率和破碎率增加值的影响均不显著（P>0.05）;而初始填充系数对筛分效率的影响显著（P<0.05）,但对破碎率增加值的影响却不显著（P>0.05）。该装置工作过程中噪音较小,运行可靠,筛分效率达到98.5%,试验结果可为后期研发螺旋式清选设备提供参考。