Health problems in agriculture

Health problems caused by work can develop unnoticed, and in some cases may not appear until much later in life. You need to be aware of the health risks associated with your work and the signs or symptoms of developing ill health.

You should report any signs of illness to your employer as soon as you become aware of them. Don’t be afraid to visit your doctor. Make sure they know what you do for a living so they can start treating you as early as possible.

Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent your condition from worsening and may even save your life.

Some health problems suffered as a result of work must be reported to HSE.

Zoonoses - Diseases that animals pass to humans

Types and symptoms

Zoonoses are diseases that animals pass to humans. Micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses can cause illness by infecting the body when they are breathed in, swallowed, or when they penetrate the skin through small cuts or grazes.

Common zoonoses include:

• orf from sheep or goats, which produces painful pustules on hands, arms and the face;
• leptospirosis from rats (Weil’s disease) and cattle urine, which causes a feverish illness with headache and can result in meningitis. Early treatment is vital;
• ringworm, which is a fungal disease from many types of livestock;
• enzootic abortion (chlamydia psittaci) from sheep. Pregnant women should not associate or work with ewes during lambing, nor be exposed to soiled clothing contaminated with afterbirths etc as severe illness and miscarriage may result;
• cryptosporidiosis, from a parasite picked up by touching livestock, animal housing, or feed, which can cause diarrhoea in humans, and be particularly severe in young children;
• Lyme disease, from the bite of an infected tick in woodland or grassland. Starts with a rash around the site of the bite and intermittent flu-like symptoms. More serious symptoms affecting the nervous system may develop later. Early diagnosis is essential;
• Q fever from cattle and sheep can also be carried by other mammals, including deer. Leads to acute illness with feverish symptoms but occasionally pneumonia and other complications. There is also a more serious chronic form of Q fever;
• ornithosis (another form of chlamydia psittaci) from birds, which can cause flu-like symptoms in humans, followed by pneumonia.

Diseases transmitted from animals to humans can also affect visitors to your farm, especially children or the elderly. Illness following infection by some virulent forms of E coli bacterium, eg O26 and O157, may be severe and even fatal. Any ruminant (cattle, sheep, goats and deer) may carry the organism, which can survive for many weeks in faeces or soil. Good personal hygiene is essential.  

• See section on E coli O157

Further information

• Common zoonoses in agriculture
• Infections at work - Zoonoses webpage

Skin disease

Preventing damage to the skin will reduce the risk of problems such as contact dermatitis, eczema, wound infections and skin cancers.

Warning signs include dryness, cracking, irritation, itchiness and pain, inflammation and redness, and abnormal growth or discolouration. If you have ever suffered from eczema, your skin may be more vulnerable to damage.

The main causes of damage are:

• cuts,
• punctures or abrasions;
• exposure to cold and wet, leading to dryness and chapping;
• frequent immersion in water, which removes natural oils from the skin;
• exposure to chemicals or to plant materials, including sap; and
• overexposure to sunlight, with increased risk of skin cancer.

To avoid skin problems:

• read product labels for information on the precautions you need to take;
• wear suitable gloves when handling chemicals or if damage to your skin is likely;
• wash your hands to remove harmful substances, especially chemical contamination, even if you cannot see it;
• dry your hands thoroughly after washing;
• apply moisturiser regularly after washing and at night;
• wash and dry cuts and grazes and cover with a waterproof dressing;
• treat minor infections immediately.

Further information

• Skin at work website

Work-related stress

Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them. Many people in agriculture work under pressure, eg from conflicting demands, too much to do in too little time, or working with inadequately controlled hazards.

The law requires you as employers to take action and there are practical things that farming businesses can do to manage the risks associated with work-related stress.

Further information

• Stress microsite
• Working together to reduce stress at work – INDG424

You can get independent, trained help and information from charities such as:

• ruralMinds
• befrienders at Samaritans

You can get more advice on health problems in agriculture from your GP, from HSE’s medical inspectors, or from other health and safety professionals, including occupational health doctors and nurses and occupational hygienists.