Join the 73% of farmers who get regular check-up

TILLAGE farmers are used to maintaining machinery, so what about a personal, health-and-safety MOT? Farmers can improve personal health and reduce musculoskeletal injuries, such as back, bone and soft tissue injury.

The good news is that there has been a major shift in health attitudes and behaviours among farmers.

Recent Teagasc/HSA/UCD research showed that 73% of farmers get a regular health check, compared to 35% a decade ago.

What can be done about musculoskeletal disorders? These are still very prevalent, with approximately 50% of farmers reporting annual back pain, compared to 35% of the general population.

Musculoskeletal disorders are closely associated with your physical, work activities.

Musculoskeletal disorders are preventable by:

* using mechanical means to lift, rather than physical lifting.

* when lifting (light loads only), holding the load close to your body.

* and never twisting your spine at the same time as lifting.

Shock-loading of your spinal discs by jumping down off heights or machinery can cause cracking of the disc cartilage, and subsequent health problems.