Agricultural machinery: technologies and projects for workplace safety
Agrilevante is known for its numerous awareness-raising and information initiatives regarding workplace safety, with particular reference to the use of agricultural machinery. The Apulia Region and the Local Health Authorities of Bari and Taranto, as well as INAIL, have been particularly active, while specific initiatives have been aimed at young people. The experience of a tractor overturning is very instructive, made possible thanks to a simulator that reproduces the driver's cabin and the physical movement of the mechanical vehicle in the event of an accident.
INAIL data reveals that approximately 200 agricultural workers lose their lives each year in accidents related to farm activities. To promote prevention and a culture of safety, during Agrilevante, the Apulia Region, through the Local Health Authority's Workplace Prevention and Safety Services, in collaboration with INAIL and FederUnacoma, has planned a series of initiatives to promote occupational health and safety in agriculture, with particular attention to issues related to the use of machinery and equipment. Training days for doctors and prevention technicians were held on Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th, to update them on issues specifically related to the use of agricultural machinery and on the safety devices to be installed on mechanical vehicles. During a special meeting, Giorgio Di Leone, Coordinator of Workplace Prevention and Safety Services (SPESAL) at the Bari Local Health Authority, informed agricultural companies about the new preventive approach adopted by healthcare companies under the Targeted Prevention Plans. These plans help them, through information, training, and assistance initiatives, overcome critical issues, relegating pure surveillance activities to a final phase and on a limited sample of companies. Several conferences have been organized, again at the initiative of the Bari Local Health Authority, INAIL, and FederUnacoma, to stimulate discussion among agricultural workers, agricultural experts, and agronomists. The focus has been on the obsolescence of Italy's machinery fleet, which features a high number of vehicles over 40 years old, often lacking the necessary safety devices, and the widespread buying and selling of used machinery (nearly 60,000 tractors per year). Regarding INAIL's activities, Leonardo Vita of the Institute's Research Sector Department described the testing of innovative techniques applied to rollover protection structures, to allow work to be carried out under tree canopies in safe conditions. Research is also underway aimed at applying obstacle detection devices based on the use of artificial intelligence. But the safety awareness campaign targeted not only agricultural workers but also young people, who might choose to work in agriculture in the future. The Bari Local Health Authority (ASL) organized informational meetings with students from agricultural institutes, through staff from the Apulia Region's SPESAL (Specialized Health Services). On Friday, Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida himself spoke at the outreach event to emphasize the importance of safety and encourage students to plan their future in agriculture. Thanks to the contribution of the Interregional Agricultural Technical Group and the Lombardy Region, the Extend Area hosted a tractor rollover simulator throughout the entire Trade Fair. Visitors to the event, and especially groups of young people from agricultural schools, experienced firsthand what happens when a tractor overturns, in order to better understand the importance of safety devices when driving these vehicles. As part of the Regional Prevention Plan, the Taranto Local Health Authority (ASL) sponsored a major public health initiative, bringing to the fair a Mobile Healthcare Unit (equipped medical campers) to provide cardiovascular screening services, cardiac risk mapping, and to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of prevention in the workplace.
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