Lack of Safety Systems in Agricultural Settings in Rural Thailand: A Report of Three Worker Death
Witaya Swaddiwudhipong MD*, Pranee Mahasakpan BSc, MPH*, Winai Thongchub BPH, MEng**, Thippawan Funkhiew BPH*, Settha Suthapreeda BSc**
Affiliation : * Department of Community and Social Medicine, Mae Sot General Hospital, Tak, Thailand ** Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control 9, Phitsanuloke, Thailand
Background : Three farm workers lost consciousness within a few minutes after entering a silo pit on a farm located in a rural
Thai village. All victims died later in the hospital.
Objective : To identify the cause of unconsciousness in these victims and to determine safety systems for agricultural enterprises
containing silos.
Material and Method: Medical records of the three decedents were reviewed for demographic characteristics, clinical
manifestations, and the cause of deaths. Co-workers of the decedents were interviewed to obtain details of the victims’ work
on the farm during the incident. Concentrations of oxygen and other potentially hazardous gases were measured in the pit
where the victims collapsed. All agricultural enterprises that have silos in the district were identified and investigated for
safety systems.
Results : Of the three decedents, two died in a rescue attempt. They all developed metabolic acidosis and died 1-3 days
following admission. Oxygen concentration at the top of the pit was 20.9% and decreased to 0.8% at a depth of 1 meter and
to 0.0% at the bottom of the three-meter pit. Carbon dioxide, which is heavier than air, was the major asphyxiant displacing
oxygen in this confined space. Lack of safety systems were detected on this farm and in all settings containing silos in the
district.
Conclusion : Asphyxiation due to oxygen depletion was the cause of all deaths. It is essential to install safety systems for work
in confined spaces in agricultural settings.
Keywords : Asphyxiation, Oxygen depletion, Confined space, Agricultural settings
