The relationship between fatigue-related factors and work-related injuries in the Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort Study

Am J Ind Med. 2012 Apr;55(4):367-75. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22003. Epub 2011 Dec 27.

Abstract

Background: The objective was to examine the relationship between seasonal variations in sleep quantity and work-related injuries on Saskatchewan farms.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of data from the Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort Study was conducted. Analyses were restricted to workers, aged ≥16 years. The primary outcome was work-related injury in the last year. Logistic regression models were used to identify associations between sleep quantity and farm injury.

Results: After controlling for confounding variables peak production season sleep was not associated with increased odds of injury. However, those obtaining ≤5 hr sleep per night during non-peak production seasons had increased odds of injury (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.04-5.59) compared with those sleeping ≥7 hr per night.

Conclusions: We identified that restricted sleep durations, in certain seasons, placed farmers, and farm workers at risk of injury. Agricultural injury intervention programs need to consider the role of seasonal-related variations in sleep on farm injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Agriculture / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fatigue / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Saskatchewan
  • Seasons
  • Sleep*