Page 13 - Farm Safely Handbook 2018

MANUAL HANDLING
Injuries can include sprains or strains, severe back pain, swelling of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder to name but a few. They can also be long-lasting and affect the ability to work over a period of several weeks.
A survey of 600 Irish farmers (100 farmers from each of the six main farm enterprise systems in Ireland) found that 56% of farmers had experienced a musculoskeletal injury. The most common types of injury or disorder were related to the back (37%).
Lower back pain is a one of the most common occupational health problems in the workforce and particularly among farmers.
As well as the manual handling and lifting of farming, prolonged driving of uncomfortable farm vehicles such as tractors, trucks, and other farm equipment that cause whole body vibration add to the stress on the back region.
Slips and falls and other injuries associated with adverse working conditions are also a contributory factor.
The severity of symptoms associated with a low back disorder can vary, ranging from relatively mild and short in duration to pronounced and incapacitating.
These symptoms may not appear until 12 to 36 hours after the incident occurs. Sciaticatype back pain is associated with a pain down one or both legs and frequently numbness or tingling in the foot and toes. Normal walking may become difficult.
FARM SAFELY HANDBOOK 13