The economic cost of farm-related fatalities and the perceptions and management of health and safety on Australiam farms

Abstract

Farm-related fatalities are a significant problem in Australian agriculture. Over the period 2001–04, there were 404 fatalities that occurred as a direct consequence of visiting, residing or working on a farm. This research is comprised of two separate, but related components; the economic cost of farm-related fatalities and the farm health and safety study; a qualitative study into farmer perceptions and behaviour relating to farm safety. This study employed a human capital approach to establish the economic costs of farmrelated fatalities to the Australian economy. Fatalities were selected for analysis as they are the most reliable, accurate and comprehensive form of farm injury data available. A study was conducted on 335 farm enterprises to examine farmer perceptions and estimates of performance relating to the culture of safety and their systems and procedures to manage health and safety and major hazards on their farms. Finally, the changes farmers were making to health and safety on their farms, the motivating drivers for those changes, and what they perceived to be the risks and hazards on their farms were also assessed. Modelling of direct and indirect costs associated with farm-related fatalities estimated that the 404 traumatic deaths over the period 2001–04 cost the Australian economy $650.6 million, in 2008 dollars. This equates to 2.7 per cent of the 2008 farm gross domestic product (GDP) due to potentially preventable farm accidents and injuries. The top five agents causing death (tractors, ATVs, drownings, utilities and 2 wheel motorcycles) accounted for exactly half of the fatalities, and 46.7 per cent ($303.5 million) of the economic cost. Significant differences in gender, age and industry were revealed in attitudes and perceptions of farm safety and the management of health and safety and major hazards. Farm enterprises also provided a considerable level of detail on the changes and improvement they had made to farm safety, the reasons and motivations behind those changes, as well as details on what they perceived as the key risks and hazards on their farms. The outcomes of this research have questioned some of the preconceived ideas relating to farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and practices in relation to farm safety and have also identified potential new approaches and target populations for increasing adoption and implementation of farm safety recommendations. The challenge is for farm safety researchers, Farmsafe Australia, work safety authorities, industry and farmer groups and health practitioners to encourage further investment and resources into farm health and safety research, which will enable them to capitalise on these findings and re-evaluate farm safety strategies and initiatives to reduce the level of risk on Australian farms and therefore, the incidence of fatal and non-fatal injury and the cost of to the Australian economy.