AgHealth Australia AgHealth Australia AgHealth Australia

AgHealth Australia

AgHealth Australia, (previously known as the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety or ACAHS) is based at Dubbo in central-west New South Wales. It is a leading research activity group within the School of Rural Health,  University of Sydney investigating non-intentional fatal and non-fatal incidents occurring on farms across Australia.

AgHealth Australia provides on-farm health and safety auditing services. Audits start the process of identifying gaps and assist in working towards meeting health and safety requirements. Our auditors are fully accredited with considerable experience and expertise in conducting farm health and safety audits across a wide range of commodity sectors.

AgHealth is a part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. Explore more research within our faculty.

Latest news

2023

Fatal Animal Related Incidents on Australian Farms – a 20-year review

The objective of the study was to assess demographic and causal factors of fatal farm incidents involving animals in Australia (2001-2020).

Results indicate there has been little change in the mean number of animal-related injury deaths across Australia in the 2001–20 period (mean 6.5), however this is a 35% reduction on an earlier 1989–92 assessment (mean 10). The majority of incidents (81%) involved horses (n = 75) and cattle (n = 31). Males were involved in 86 (66%) cases, with 54 female cases. People aged 60 years and over accounted for 46% of the cases, with more than half occurring during work. Of the decedents, 85% fell from or were struck by an animal at the time of the incident, with 40% resulting in a head injury.

In conclusion while annualized case numbers have decreased slightly, the leading agents remain consistent with previous studies. The lack of genuine progress in addressing fatalities related to horses and cattle, along with the representation of older persons in the cohort, require attention drawing on the Hierarchy of Controls.

2022

Farm-related injury deaths in Australia (2001–20)

The objective of the study was to describe the agents, pattern and trends of unintentional farm fatalities in Australia (2001–2020), involving work and non-work injury.

Results indicates there were 1584 unintentional farm fatalities (annual mean 79). Two-thirds of cases were work-related (68%). Major agents of injury were farm vehicles (39%) and machinery (26%). Persons aged over 55 years were involved in 58% of all work-related incidents and were significantly more likely to die than younger cohorts when assessed against hours worked. Death rates involving all on-farm fatal incidents (both work and non-work) per 10 000 farms (p = 0.015) and work-related rates per 100 000 workers (p = 0.015) reduced over the period, with both demonstrating a fluctuating rate. There was no change in the work-related rates when assessed against hours worked (p = 0.276).

In conclusion, the annualised number of deaths fell by approximately 24% (98–75), with agents of injury remaining similar. General trends suggest a reduction in the overall death rates for work and non-work incidents. However, trends were less apparent when the reduction of farms (~19%), workers (~7%) and hours worked (no change), were accounted for. Targeted approaches are required to stimulate improvements in these preventable incidents.

About us

AgHealth Australia is based at Dubbo in central-west New South Wales. It is a research activity group within the School of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney. 

AgHealth has been leading research in relation to injury and deaths on Australian farms for 30 years. AgHealth works with partners such as Farmsafe Australia to ensure the research conducted is turned into practical programs to assist farmers, their workers, families and the rural community. Translation of the research information has led to the development of programs of work that in conjunction with industry and relevant organisations, has contributed to major reductions in the burden of injury and poor health in rural Australia.

 

Contact

 

AgHealth Australia

University of Sydney
PO Box 256
Moree NSW 2400

Ph: (02) 6882 1486
Email: aghealth.admin@sydney.edu.au