Characteristics and predictors of major occupational injuries in Korean farmers

Farmers are exposed to various risks due to the nature of the agricultural environment, and occupational injuries occur consistently. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the characteristics and predictors of major non-fatal occupational injuries among farmers by analysing incidents of non-fatal occupational injuries resulting in at least 1 day off work using the Korean Agricultural Workers' Occupational Disease and Injury Survey data. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the predictors of agricultural occupational injuries, and the results indicated that the risk for non-fatal injuries was higher among older individuals, individuals with pre-existing physical limitations and individuals who use agricultural machinery. The predictors were generally similar for most types of non-fatal injuries. By type of injuries, the risk for trip or slip was higher among women than men. The risk for injuries caused by excessive force or motion was higher among farmers doing rice farming, which is substantially mechanised, than field crop farmers or livestock farmers. The risk of falling from a height was higher among male orchard and greenhouse farmers. The risk of solo farm vehicle crash was higher among male farmers, older farmers, rice farmers, farmers with pre-existing physical limitations and farmers using agricultural machinery. The findings of this study may be useful for developing tailored policies and supportive projects for the Korean farmer population.