Identifying and Assessing Occupational Safety Risks Among Grape Growers in Northwest of Iran

Abstract

Occupational safety risk management in agricultural and horticultural activities is profound for preserving safety, increasing productivity, and enhancing yields. So, this research focused on identifying and assessing different occupational risks among grape growers. The statistical population (N=2145) was composed of grape growers in northwest of Iran (Meshginshahr County in Ardabil province). The sample (n=325), whose size was determined by Bartlett et al.’s (2001) table, was taken from the regions of Lahrud (222 people), Arjaq (58 people), and Fakhrabad (45 people) by the multi-stage randomization technique. The indices for measuring occupational risks were identified by the Delphi technique (37 skillful grape growers), and the occupational safety risks were assessed by the 3D method of risk assessment presented by Melbourne University. According to the results, most respondents (31.38%) were at a high occupational risk level. The most important occupational risks included incidents when working with manual and mechanical tools, incidents when working with chemical pesticides, and ergonomic problems. Also, the most effective variables in distinguishing the respondents included perceived severity (0.554), response cost (0.553), and self-efficacy (0.509). Developing compulsory safety regulations on the necessity of using protective covering on mechanical garden tools, providing supportive subsidies to procure safety equipment, and holding technical training courses about occupational safety and ergonomic principles will effectively mitigate occupational safety risks of grape growers.