Comparative incident analysis of pressure cleaner injuries among employees on Austrian farms Comparative incident analysis of pressure cleaner injuries among employees on Austrian farms

Reports of the Austrian Insurance Institutions (AUVA and SVB) about accidents at work indicate that employees in agriculture are exposed to accident risks. For a detailed investigation, data of the accident databank and the accident reports of the victims of accidents with high pressure cleaners for the period from 2008 to 2010 were analysed descriptively and analytically. The aim of the case study which was based on a small sample size with precise filled out accident reports, was to evaluate the usefulness of the European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) suggested variables and categories for the identification of safety deficits in the national databank, and furthermore, to identify the risk factors that may cause an accident during the human-machine interaction. The results showed that the victims were farm managers; the majority of them were over 40 years of age. Half of the incidents happened in autumn and on weekdays, especially in the afternoon, while cleaning machinery, stable parts and central heating boilers, as well as while filling the lye in the store tank, removing the hose, and transporting machinery. All incidents occurred due to different deviations and contacts with the machine or machine parts. Missing protective equipment and clothing, as well as improper handling and securing of the work area could be identified as safety deficits. The database analysis did not reveal the relevant parameters of the human-machine interaction by virtue of their generalisation. The analysis of the accident reports was required for the identification of the accident scenarios and causes related to the agricultural terminology and the incidental human-machine interaction, which allowed the determination of safety deficits for first prevention recommendations.