Analysis of maintenance safety problems in agriculture

Abstract

Maintenance actions during the lifecycle of an item are intended to retain or restore it to a state in which it can perform its required function and should be carried out in all areas of human activity. Maintenance in agriculture can range from simple tasks to modernization or renovation of the equipment or system therefore workers performing maintenance due to large variety of operations can be exposed to all types of occupational hazards (physical, ergonomic, chemical, biological and psychosocial). It was found out that the most common cases of contact – mode of injury for accidents occurred during maintenance of vehicles, tractors and harvesters were: crash on or against due to slip, trip or fall; struck by a portable powered tool; contact with sharp, rough surfaces. Risk of accidents is increased by the family business and self-employment nature of agriculture, farmers’ education level, hiring workers without adequate training, working alone, hurry, long working hours and workers’ physical and mental overload. Complexity of the problem supposes that the first step to improve the health and safety of agricultural workers during maintenance activities is to raise their awareness of risks and hazards arising from these activities therefore a list of maintenance tasks and hazards related to them were prepared.