By Andi Anderson
Agricultural machine safety is a growing concern, especially in regions where outdated or hazardous machines are commonly used. A research team from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is working to reduce farm-related injuries worldwide by promoting better safety practices for agricultural machinery.
Using data on machine-related injuries from Pakistan, this team is developing safety programs and recommendations for farmers.
A recent study, published in Safety 2024, highlighted that two machines—fodder cutters and threshers—accounted for 79% of the reported farm injuries in Pakistan’s Sindh and Punjab provinces between 2022 and 2023.
Many of these injuries led to amputations, revealing a serious need for safety improvements. The study collected data from orthopedic surgeons, who reported a total of 507 injuries, including 121 fatalities and a significant percentage of cases requiring amputation.
“Prior to this study, hospitals were reporting high numbers of fodder cutter incidents, yet little was being done to inform farmers about these risks,” said Professor Salah Issa of the University of Illinois’ Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Working with graduate student Sajid Raza and Pakistani collaborators, Issa and his team are focusing on creating solutions to these serious safety risks.
Fodder cutters, used to prepare animal feed, are commonly manufactured locally and operate manually or electrically. Electric fodder cutters are especially dangerous, causing severe injuries due to their high-speed mechanisms.
Farmers often face risks from blades, shafts, and motors that can lead to serious injuries, such as amputations and burns.
Since publishing the study, Issa and his team have expanded their data collection, gathering reports from additional hospitals and documenting hundreds of additional cases.
To further understand the risks, the team is interviewing farmers who use fodder cutters, as well as individuals who have been injured, to identify potential safety improvements and limitations.
The team’s goal is to establish a comprehensive safety program that could include modifications to existing machines or the development of a safer fodder cutter.
By combining educational efforts with practical solutions, they hope to create a safer environment for farmers and reduce the rate of agricultural injuries.
Through their continued research, the University of Illinois team aims to bring greater awareness to agricultural machine safety and offer practical resources that could help save lives and reduce injuries on farms around the world.
Photo Credit: pixabay-franck-barske
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety