| Project Objectives / Summary:
Primary production related accidents and illnesses are a major concern for GPs and Divisions in rural and remote areas. Lack of accurate data has impinged on attempts to identify key risk factors and the development of necessary health promotion tools. By assessing the feasibility of a national data collection trial in the Murray Plains Division, the project sought to establish a sound knowledge base for the development and implementation of "Farm Safety" Programs throughout Australia.
The key objectives for this project were:
- To undertake a review of current data collection mechanisms in place
- Identify or develop if required an appropriate national data collection mechanism
- Identify or develop if required appropriate reporting mechanisms
- Identify and consult with key stakeholders
- Develop an implementation plan for a national data collection system
- Prepare a submission for a further NIFP grant to implement a national data collection system
Project Collaboration:
- The project involved collaboration between two Divisions - the Murray Plains Division and the Great Southern Division (WA).
- National Occupational Health and Safety Commission
- Workcover / Worksafe
- National Farmers Federation
- Local Governments
- Monash University Accident Research Centre
Project Outcomes:
Research of current data mechanisms show that there is not currently a system which is capable of emitting the information required for this project. The National Occupational Health & Safety Commission and the Australian Centre for Agriculture were due to publish a detailed report on farm fatalities analysed by State in late 2000.
Although the project managers were able to consult with key stakeholders and consensus was reached in regard to the need to have a national data collection mechanism, they were unable to develop such a mechanism. The project has highlighted some useful information regarding primary production related accidents and illnesses.
Recommendations:
- That the Australian Agricultural Health Unit?s Optimal Dataset be used as a coding system for any local farm injury or illness data collection.
- That local data is collected from local primary health care providers and hospitals.
- That local data is warehoused with the National Farm Injury Data Centre at the Australian Agricultural Health Unit.
- Local Government Areas collect the data.
- Regular feedback on data trends is supplied to all collection sites.
- Extensive consultation occurs between stakeholders and the organisation responsible for collecting, collating and analysing the data.
- Consultation occurs between organisations collecting data and the Monash University Accident Research Centre and the Australian Agriculture Health Unit.
Disseminating Project Information:
- Article in the Medical Observer 10.11.00 ?Division survey inspires US farm safety rethink?
- Rural Injury Surveillance Seminar, Bendigo Vic February 2000
- Farm Injury Prevention Conference, Cairns 1999
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