Nonfatal work-related injuries among agricultural machinery operators in northern China: A cross-sectional study

PurposeTo identify the annual prevalence and potential risk factors of nonfatal agricultural machinery injuries among agricultural machinery operators in the northern areas of China.MethodsA quota sampling method was used to study 1921 agricultural machinery operators in 5 provinces in northern China. Agricultural machinery injuries that occurred between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009 were investigated. Data on nonfatal injuries and related factors were obtained by in-person interviews.ResultsThe prevalence of agricultural machinery-related injuries among the surveyed operators was 13.1%. Being male, having lower family income and/or poor hearing, being in debt, and feeling stressed were five significant risk factors for injuries. The majority of injuries took place on farmlands (46.6%), roads (26.3%), or in backyards (17.5%). The four most common causes of injuries were being stuck by starting handles that slipped, being slashed or stabbed by sharp objects, being struck by falling objects, and falls from stationary vehicles.ConclusionsThe prevalence of agricultural machinery-related injuries in our study was high. Males, low family income, poor hearing, and stress were associated with high risk of injury occurrence.