Safety and health in production agriculture: a review and lessons for Ghana

Abstract

A literature review was conducted to summarise on-farm safety and health problems in production agriculture in high-income and low-income countries. Types of studies reviewed included machinery accidents, noise-induced hearing loss, respiratory illnesses, confined area illnesses, pesticide-related illnesses, and ergonomics. The impact of HIV / AIDS on agriculture was also reviewed. This study has shown that, in order to industrialise Ghanaian agriculture, there is the need to comprehensively understand its implications on farmers' safety, health and socio-economic condition.