Agricultural workers are potentially exposed to several health problems due to working conditions on farms. 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.
The key issues are:
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
Many workers suffer from various ‘musculoskeletal disorders’ (MSDs) as a result of poor manual handling techniques, or through other tasks which involve repetitive movements, excessive force, unusual postures, or from badly organised working practices.
These can include muscle injuries, sprains or strains, back pain, sciatica, hernias, arthritis, or swelling of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder (‘work-related upper limb disorders’ or WRULDs). People may not fully recover from these, affecting their ability to carry out any manual work in the future.
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.
You can get independent, trained help and information from charities such as:
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.
Pesticides, Veterinary medicines and sheep dips may contain hazardous substances. If mishandled, they can make you ill, harm animals or pollute the environment.
