Health problems in agriculture
What you need to do...
The law requires that employers assess and control the risks to health from hazardous substances. The key issues are:
What you need to know...
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 he or she knows 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.
You must report some health problems suffered as a result of work to HSE.
Chest problems
Chest problems - causes
The main causes of respiratory disease or chest problems are dusts or chemicals at work. Being exposed to these for just a short time may cause unpleasant irritation or inflammation in the nose, throat or lungs. Longer exposure may lead to more serious problems, including asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Chest problems may result from breathing in:
- dusts from harvesting or handling grain, mixing animal feedstuffs, feeding animals, handling mouldy hay or bedding and waste products from animals or poultry;
- vapours from slurry, silage, welding fume, some veterinary medicines and disinfectants.
Chest problems - symptoms
Warning signs include irritation or watering of the eyes and nose, blocked stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, phlegm, aching muscles or fever, breathlessness, wheezing and tightness of the chest during work, after work or while doing exercise.
These symptoms can be short-lived at the time of a job or they may get worse and last longer until they are almost always present. They can be set off by even very small exposures to any substance to which you have become allergic, or sensitised. If you smoke, and are also exposed to these substances, you are more likely to develop more serious chest problems.
Chest problems - protect yourself
It is important to protect yourself and your workers. For products that you buy, follow the advice and instructions on the manufacturer’s label or data sheet.
Avoid breathing in the harmful substances by:
- using alternative safer substances where possible;
- changing to low dust materials, eg granules or pellets;
- enclosing sources of dust or spray;
- vacuuming spillages instead of sweeping up.
Reduce the amount you breathe in by:
- using local exhaust ventilation, eg when welding;
- using effective filters in tractor or vehicle cabs;
- maintaining filters to the manufacturer’s instructions;
- improving ventilation in buildings;
- wearing appropriate and effective respiratory protective equipment.
If you need to wear masks or respirators always adjust the straps so they fit properly. Store them in a clean dry place and do not hang them from hooks or nails in dirty, dusty areas (see Personal protective equipment). All masks and respirators must be CE marked.
Zoonoses - diseases that animals pass to humans
Zoonoses - 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.
Zoonoses – prevention
You should make sure that your COSHH assessment takes zoonoses into account and:
- minimise the risk of infection by keeping stock healthy. Vaccinate where appropriate, eg against enzootic abortion of ewes, avoid contaminating animal drinking water and ask your vet to check stock health regularly;
- avoid or, if this is not possible, reduce contact with animals;
- wear suitable protective clothing such as overalls when handling animals, especially if they are sick, and gloves and a waterproof apron if handling potentially infected material such as products of birth or muck or sewage;
- ensure good personal hygiene. Wash and dry your hands before eating, drinking or smoking;
- immediately wash and dry all cuts and grazes and cover with a waterproof dressing;
- control rats and other vermin that can spread disease.
Skin problems
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
- over-exposure 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 skin damage is likely;
- dry your hands thoroughly after washing;
- wash and dry cuts and grazes and cover with a waterproof dressing;
- treat minor infections immediately.
In sunny weather:
- keep your top on, especially in the middle of the day. A wide-brimmed hat will shade the face and head;
- use an effective sunscreen cream or lotion. Don’t forget to reapply it throughout the day to maintain protection;
- apply moisturiser regularly after washing and at night to help protect the outer barrier layer of the skin.
Always see your doctor if you are concerned about your skin condition (e.g. changes in warts, moles or skin discoloration), as it is important to treat infections and inflammations effectively.
The sap from many plants, including celery, parsnips and primula, can cause skin problems, which may be worse if the skin is exposed to the sun. In most cases, gloves will prevent contact between the sap and the skin so that problems will not recur.
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 an employer to take action and there are practical things that farming businesses can do to manage the risks associated with work-related stress. Find out more on the stress website or in the publications listed in Resources.
You can get independent, trained help and information from charities such as:
- the Rural Stress Information Network, which co-ordinates a number of local initiatives
- 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.
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