Safety Measures and Risk Management in Agricultural Confined Spaces: A Study on Farm in Iğdır Province, Using Bow tie and Matrix Methods

Abstract

In agriculture, confined space operations present significant hazards and increased risks to workers and emergency responders. When designing training initiatives to reduce confined space fatalities, it is imperative to assess human characteristics such as skill levels, gaps in understanding and attitudes toward risk in order to formulate effective programs. The aim of this study is to determine the safety practices and risk levels of farm owners operating in agricultural confined spaces in Iğdır province. To accomplish this, the first step was to semi-quantitatively assess the risks that can occur when working in confined spaces such as manure and silage storage facilities using a five-tier matrix, and to visualize the results using a bowtie diagram. In these confined spaces, the lack of atmospheric conditions was identified as the greatest source of danger, and therefore, these risks were prioritized (l: 5, s: 5, RS: 25). The risk of fire and explosion, which can be caused by the presence of contaminants in such areas, was assessed as quite high (RS: 20). Structured protocols or comprehensive frameworks are essential for identifying and mitigating the risks inherent in indoor work environments. Currently, there is a notable lack of an organized and reliable methodology specifically tailored to assess and manage the risks associated with working in confined spaces in agricultural activities. Recognizing this deficiency, it is proposed to establish procedural guidelines aimed at preventing and managing the risks associated with confined space work within the agricultural domain. The methodologies employed herein combine concepts and requirements outlined in various regulatory frameworks governing safe practices in confined spaces, with the goal of facilitating both risk assessment and management efforts. In addition, it is suggested that the personal proximity of ranchers to potential injuries in the field may serve as a critical indicator for improving safe work practices and risk awareness. This approach has the potential to enhance the safety knowledge of owners and their perception of risk-taking behaviors, thereby reducing the likelihood of injuries associated with agricultural enclosures.

Keywords

• Agriculture
• confined space
• occupational risks
• bow tie method

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