Abstract
References
- Jakob, M., Santa, D., Holte, K., Sikkeland, I., Hilt, B., and Lundqvist, P., “Occupational health and safety in agriculture - a brief report on organization, legislation and support in selected European countries,” Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 28(3), 452–457, 2021, https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/140197
- Mucci, N., Traversini, V., Lulli, L., Baldassarre, A., Galea, R., and Arcangeli, G., “Upper Limb’s Injuries in Agriculture: A Systematic Review,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17., 2020, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124501
- Khode, D., Hepat, A., Mudey, A., and Joshi, A., “Health-Related Challenges and Programs Among Agriculture Workers: A Narrative Review,” Cureus, 16(3), e57222, 2024, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57222
- Koroma, E., and Kangbai, J., “Agro-industrial accidents linked to length of service, operation site and confidence in employer adherence to safety rules,” BMC Public Health, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08733-2
- Dhananjayan, V., and Ravichandran, B., “Occupational health risk of farmers exposed to pesticides in agricultural activities,” Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COESH.2018.07.005
- Cecchini, M., Bedini, R., Mosetti, D., Marino, S., and Stasi, S., “Safety Knowledge and Changing Behavior in Agricultural Workers: An Assessment Model Applied in Central Italy,” Safety and Health at Work, 9, 164–171, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.07.009
- E. Öz and G. Özgünaltay Ertuğrul, “İleri yaşlı çiftçilerin tarımsal iş güvenliğine yaklaşımı,” Tarım Makinaları Bilimi Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 221–227, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/421372.
- G. Özgünaltay Ertuğrul, E. Öz ve Ö. Ertuğrul, “Tarım traktörleri kazaları ve tarımsal mekanizasyon düzeyi ilişkisi: Türkiye örneği,” Tarımsal Perspektif, Ankara: İKSAD Yayınları, 2022, ss. 289–305
- Ertuğrul, G. Ö., Aygün, İ., and Urkan, E., “A Study Examining the Potential of the 5S Methodology for Improving Efficiency in Agricultural Production Processes,” Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 13(3), 587–593, 2025, https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i3.587-593.7503
- İ. Aygün, E. Urkan ve G. Özgünaltay Ertuğrul, “Tarımsal üretimde ergonomiye bir bakış,” Biyosistem Mühendisliği III, Ankara, Türkiye: Akademisyen Yayıncılık, 2022, pp. 155–171
- Öz, E., Ertuğrul Özgünaltay, G., and Öz, H., “Medyada yayınlanan traktor kaza haber içeriklerinin resmi istatistiklere uyumunun değerlendirilmesi," İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliğinde Güncel Araştırmalar; Akademisyen Yayınevi: Ankara, Türkiye, 2023; pp. 89–104
- Özüağ, S., and Ertuğrul, Ö., “Enhanced Occupational Safety in Agricultural Machinery Factories: AI-Driven Helmet Detection Using Transfer Learning,” Applied Sciences, 14(23), 11278, 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311278
- United Nations Türkiye. (2024, November 5). Our work on the Sustainable Development Goals in Türkiye. https://turkiye.un.org/en/sdgs
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Home/Index
- Laestadius, J., “Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,” Christoph Scherrer and Katja Radon (Eds.). 2019, https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001703
- Gibbs, J.L., Walls, K., Sheridan, C., Sullivan, D., Cheyney, M., Janssen, B., and Rohlman, D.S., “Evaluation of Self-Reported Agricultural Tasks, Safety Concerns, and Health and Safety Behaviors of Young Adults in U.S. Collegiate Agricultural Programs,” Safety (Basel), 7(2), 44, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/safety7020044
- Hasle, P., and Limborg, H. J., “A review of the literature on preventive occupational health and safety activities in small enterprises,” Industrial Health, 44(1), 6–12, 2006, https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.44.6
- Parker, D., Lawrie, M., and Hudson, P., “A framework for understanding the development of organisational safety culture,” Safety Science, 44(6), 551–562, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2005.10.004
Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Work Accidents Among Agricultural Production Workers in Türkiye
Abstract
The agricultural sector is widely recognized as one of the most hazardous industries due to the high incidence of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses. This study was conducted within the context of Türkiye, and the findings reflect the national conditions of the agricultural sector in the country. This study aims to assess the occupational health and safety (OHS) awareness levels of agricultural production workers, including farmers and laborers, and to examine the relationship between this awareness and experiences of workplace accidents. Following ethics committee approval, data were collected from 390 voluntary participants across different regions of Türkiye using a structured questionnaire. While the minimum required sample size was calculated as 384, a slightly larger sample was used to increase statistical reliability. The population size was determined based on 2024 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). The questionnaire included multiple-choice and Likert-scale items covering demographics, OHS awareness, safety practices, and accident history. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and correlation analysis. The findings revealed that although most participants considered themselves knowledgeable about OHS, gaps remained in personal protective equipment use and training participation. Statistically significant relationships were found between education level, safety awareness, and accident frequency. Seasonal workers were identified as having particularly limited access to OHS services. This study emphasizes the urgent need for more inclusive safety training, stronger enforcement of safety standards, and the development of targeted policies in the agricultural sector. The results also contribute to the broader goal of improving working conditions in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing health, decent work, innovation, and sustainable production.
Ethical Statement
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (Approval Number: E-32905094-204.01.07-00000737826, Date: 2025). All participants gave informed consent prior to participating in the study.
Thanks
The author sincerely thanks the farmers and agricultural workers who voluntarily participated in this research. The support provided by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University during the ethical approval process is also gratefully acknowledged.
References
- Jakob, M., Santa, D., Holte, K., Sikkeland, I., Hilt, B., and Lundqvist, P., “Occupational health and safety in agriculture - a brief report on organization, legislation and support in selected European countries,” Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 28(3), 452–457, 2021, https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/140197
- Mucci, N., Traversini, V., Lulli, L., Baldassarre, A., Galea, R., and Arcangeli, G., “Upper Limb’s Injuries in Agriculture: A Systematic Review,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17., 2020, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124501
- Khode, D., Hepat, A., Mudey, A., and Joshi, A., “Health-Related Challenges and Programs Among Agriculture Workers: A Narrative Review,” Cureus, 16(3), e57222, 2024, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57222
- Koroma, E., and Kangbai, J., “Agro-industrial accidents linked to length of service, operation site and confidence in employer adherence to safety rules,” BMC Public Health, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08733-2
- Dhananjayan, V., and Ravichandran, B., “Occupational health risk of farmers exposed to pesticides in agricultural activities,” Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COESH.2018.07.005
- Cecchini, M., Bedini, R., Mosetti, D., Marino, S., and Stasi, S., “Safety Knowledge and Changing Behavior in Agricultural Workers: An Assessment Model Applied in Central Italy,” Safety and Health at Work, 9, 164–171, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.07.009
- E. Öz and G. Özgünaltay Ertuğrul, “İleri yaşlı çiftçilerin tarımsal iş güvenliğine yaklaşımı,” Tarım Makinaları Bilimi Dergisi, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 221–227, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/421372.
- G. Özgünaltay Ertuğrul, E. Öz ve Ö. Ertuğrul, “Tarım traktörleri kazaları ve tarımsal mekanizasyon düzeyi ilişkisi: Türkiye örneği,” Tarımsal Perspektif, Ankara: İKSAD Yayınları, 2022, ss. 289–305
- Ertuğrul, G. Ö., Aygün, İ., and Urkan, E., “A Study Examining the Potential of the 5S Methodology for Improving Efficiency in Agricultural Production Processes,” Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology, 13(3), 587–593, 2025, https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i3.587-593.7503
- İ. Aygün, E. Urkan ve G. Özgünaltay Ertuğrul, “Tarımsal üretimde ergonomiye bir bakış,” Biyosistem Mühendisliği III, Ankara, Türkiye: Akademisyen Yayıncılık, 2022, pp. 155–171
- Öz, E., Ertuğrul Özgünaltay, G., and Öz, H., “Medyada yayınlanan traktor kaza haber içeriklerinin resmi istatistiklere uyumunun değerlendirilmesi," İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliğinde Güncel Araştırmalar; Akademisyen Yayınevi: Ankara, Türkiye, 2023; pp. 89–104
- Özüağ, S., and Ertuğrul, Ö., “Enhanced Occupational Safety in Agricultural Machinery Factories: AI-Driven Helmet Detection Using Transfer Learning,” Applied Sciences, 14(23), 11278, 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311278
- United Nations Türkiye. (2024, November 5). Our work on the Sustainable Development Goals in Türkiye. https://turkiye.un.org/en/sdgs
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Home/Index
- Laestadius, J., “Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,” Christoph Scherrer and Katja Radon (Eds.). 2019, https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001703
- Gibbs, J.L., Walls, K., Sheridan, C., Sullivan, D., Cheyney, M., Janssen, B., and Rohlman, D.S., “Evaluation of Self-Reported Agricultural Tasks, Safety Concerns, and Health and Safety Behaviors of Young Adults in U.S. Collegiate Agricultural Programs,” Safety (Basel), 7(2), 44, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/safety7020044
- Hasle, P., and Limborg, H. J., “A review of the literature on preventive occupational health and safety activities in small enterprises,” Industrial Health, 44(1), 6–12, 2006, https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.44.6
- Parker, D., Lawrie, M., and Hudson, P., “A framework for understanding the development of organisational safety culture,” Safety Science, 44(6), 551–562, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2005.10.004
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Biosystem, Agricultural Machines, Agricultural Engineering (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Early Pub Date | June 27, 2025 |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | April 3, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | June 24, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 14 Issue: 2 |
