Injuries to tobacco farmers in Kentucky.
Like all types of farming, raising tobacco has many hazards that may lead to injury, disability, or death. Burley tobacco farming is a multistep process that is not highly mechanized. An 8-year emergency department surveillance system in Kentucky identified 674 injury cases related to the production of burley tobacco. Most of the injuries were a result of a fall, cutting and piercing instruments, or sprains and strains. More than 90% of the injured patients were treated as outpatients, and the average charge for emergency room services was $402 (range, $0 to $14,729). One quarter of the patients were uninsured. Injuries to Hispanic workers increased over the 8-year period. Estimated hospital charge per acre of tobacco produced ranged from $1.28 to $1.74. Low-cost interventions such as gloves and chaps could reduce the injuries incurred in burley tobacco farming.
Struttmann
Tim W
TW
Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky School of Public Health and Southeast Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, Lexington 40504, USA.
Reed
Donna K
DK
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017722:Hospital Charges / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007629:Kentucky / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*