Farmers are unique athletes

A repetitive strain injury is not something that only affects office workers- it also affects hundreds of farmers who sit in the cab of their header or tractor for hours a day during seeding and harvest time.

Repeating the same movement or maintaining the same posture for long periods of time means that the same muscles and joints are working while others are not. While facing many of the same problems as ‘townies’, farmers are unique.

For example, in the general population, the dominant shoulder usually develops rotator cuff tendon problems, yet in the broadacre farming community, our observation is that the left shoulder often fails first. Our thought is that the left-handed position at 12 o’clock while working tillage, seeding & other machinery places the tendons in what is professionally called the ‘impingement position’, subjecting the tendon to a greater load. Over time, this wears the tendon to the point of failure. Our preventative solution is for the left hand to hold the wheel at 8 o’clock and regularly change to the right hand at 4 o’clock. This means farmers need specific prevention programs.

Other problems are seen with long periods of sitting. The average person sits 8 hours a day (work, recreation & entertainment). When putting in and taking off the crop, farmers are sitting 12-14 hours a day. Generally, as farms get bigger, there is greater reliance on machinery to increase productivity, and therefore longer periods of sitting. Sitting posture engages a limited range of muscles, so these fatigue quickly. Sitting in a twisted or forward-bent position accentuates the load on the spine. Constant exposure to machinery vibration weakens bone and tendon structures. The tedium of following a foam blob, disc line, or GPS for several hours can send the brain into a fog as mental arousal drops. With increased sitting hours, farmers are finding their aches and pains niggle more consistently, and some have even fallen asleep at the wheel! There is also an opportunity cost to prolonged sitting. More sitting means less physical activity.

Solutions

1. Are you physically ready for Seeding and Harvesting this Year? 

Fact: It would be considered a poor farmer who didn't service his/her machinery on a regular basis. True!

So what about the machinery operator? Are they 'serviced' and ready for the peak seasons of Seeding and Harvest?

Our experience would tend to say not. So, to assist farmers in the preparation for Seeding & Harvest we have designed two programs and called them PrePlant and PreHarvest. Each program includes a one-on-one assessment with our Physiotherapists (including cardio, strength, flexibility, lifting, balance, mental health and sleep assessments).

A customised home program can be provided to address the problems detected during the assessment. To be realistic, you need to undertake these assessments 8-10 weeks before each peak seeding and harvesting period to allow your body to adapt to the new training program. 

Solution 2. Introducing CabChart^™ - A multifunctional tool for farmers

CabChart™ is a great tool for employers to provide for the benefit of their employees. For the employee, CabChart™ provides answers to comments such as “I don’t have the time” and “I don’t know what to do”.

For the employer, providing a CabChart™ addresses your duty of care to provide a safer work environment for your employees.

Displaying the CabChart™ gives employees a way to take positive responsibility for their own health & well-being. Investing time and effort in the operator of big and expensive machinery will help ensure its safe and proper operation.

Learn more about the CabChart™ Package

Download the CabChart™ Order Form (118 KB PDF)

Solution 3. Early Intervention Program

Injuries do happen, even with the best prevention strategies in place. The best approach is then to undertake a comprehensive assessment and commence treatment. Waiting for a GP appointment and commencing a workers' compensation claim can take several weeks and may not be necessary in many cases. Providing prompt, early treatment and reassurance has been shown to reduce overall injury duration and time away from work. Esperance Physiotherapy does provide early intervention programs for several key businesses in the Esperance Region.