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This study examined factors related to perceived health risks in confined spaces (PCSHR) and their correlation with the mental workload among farmers managing agricultural wells in northern Thailand. A cross-sectional, multi-stage sample of 356 farmers was selected from four rural districts' agricultural areas. Data were collected through interviews conducted from August to December 2022, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The five-part questionnaire gathered demographic data, information on experiences and operations in agricultural wells, knowledge of confined spaces, PCSHR, and the six-dimension NASA Task Load Index (TLX) mental workload. Linear regression and multi-variable analyses were used to investigate factors associated with PCSHR, while Pearson correlations tested the association between PCSHR and mental workload variables. Most farmers were male (92.4%), worked in wells to install pumping systems (81.7%) and maintain equipment (73.3%), averaging 3.80 times per year, with an average duration of 25.81 minutes. Physical symptoms reported included difficulty breathing (72.8%), feeling swelteringly hot (55.9%), and sweating excessively (27.8%), as well as accidents such as being struck by falling soil or objects (20.2%), and falling into the well while climbing down (14.9%). Farmers' perceived risk scores were high when working while physically exhausted or unprepared and when assisting an unconscious worker without knowing the gas concentration. In addition, the maximal mental workload scores were mental demand and effort subscale. Factors significantly associated with PCSHR (adj.R2 = 60.6%, p <.05) encompassed education higher than lower secondary level, current alcohol consumption, smaller well width, assisted operations, number of physical symptoms experienced, absence of environmental accidents, and confined space knowledge, while increased PCSHR was positively associated with mental workload (Overall r = 0.711, p <.01). Comprehensive education about potential hazards can improve farmers' risk perception, potentially reducing mental workload and preventing fatal accidents. Field studies are recommended to develop community-specific work protocols and accurate measuring instruments suitable for rural settings are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper sought to determine risk factors of occupational injury in the Irish dairy farming sector and to estimate the roles of both dairying expansion and the discipline of agricultural extension in influencing reducing injury occurrence. Data for this study was obtained via the Irish National Farm Survey (NFS). In total, 260 farm (83.6% of NFS dairy farm sample) workplace injury survey questionnaires were completed by NFS recorders by interviewing principal farm operators for year 2017. Injury survey data was analysed for 48 variables in conjunction with NFS core farm socio-economic, physical and financial data. Additionally, core data from 2010 for 78.5% of farms surveyed in 2017 was included in the study. Data were analysed using a three-step statistical testing process which met all Binary Logistic Regression assumptions. The study found that dairy farms had a higher farm workplace occupational injury level compared to a previous study. The study data indicates occurrence of elevated injury levels on farms which expanded and which were intensively managed from a milk production perspective. Farm expansion was associated with increased labor units used and increased investment per hectare. The study also found that use of extension services and farm discussion group participation were not associated with injury occurrence. This study demonstrates how a retrospective farm workplace occupational injury survey of Irish dairy farms, analysed in combination with farm business data can be used to identify injury risk factors, including those associated with production expansion. Irish dairy farms have a heightened farm workplace occupation injury level while dairy production expansion increased injury levels. Extension engagement did not influence on injury levels. Approaches to improve farm safety on dairy farms are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of reliable data underpins the effectiveness of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) surveillance systems. Despite the importance of understanding OHS data systems, there are few papers that provide overviews of their structure and/or content. This paper introduces a basic framework for assessing OHS data systems that will be of use to researchers internationally. We applied this approach to assess the Irish OHS data system by undertaking a data mapping exercise. We developed a checklist based on recommendations of monitoring and measurement of OHS proposed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA). An assessment of published reports that present systematic OHS surveillance data was undertaken to identify the institutions or organisations responsible for collecting and curating the data, their remit, and, associated with this, their respective case definitions. We then provide an overview of the variables collected and these are then mapped against the checklist. The assessment highlights that whilst the farm fatalities dataset provides complete coverage of all fatalities, regardless of age or employment status, the same is not true of the three non-fatal injuries datasets reviewed. There are important differences in the data collection methods and, associated with this, which populations are covered. The assessment approach provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a critical element of OHS surveillance systems, namely the production of datasets. This knowledge is important for researchers as understanding the data that informs their research is fundamental to good science. It is critical for policy-makers and other stakeholders to understand the strengths and weaknesses on which OHS policy, strategies, or education and training interventions are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature on occupational risks among organic farmers is scarce. This study explored safety practices and non-fatal injuries among organic producers, and the role of sociodemographic, work, and farm characteristics on safety and injury. Cross sectional survey of certified organic crop producers in the Southwest (SW) region of the United States (US). The Organic Integrity Database was used for recruitment. Data were collected through an electronic and paper survey. Analyses were conducted on 115 cases; response rate was estimated at 25%. A high majority of respondents owned their operation and were younger than 65 years, male, educated beyond high-school, and non-Hispanic whites. Less than half had more than 10 years of experience in organic farming; one-third worked off the farm year-round. Safety practices were very basic despite the widespread use of equipment and machinery, and limited to wearing normal clothing and apparel such hats and glasses. About half of respondents (52.6%) reported non-fatal injuries in the past year; and one-third (32.7%) time lost due to injuries. The overall cumulative incidence rate was estimated at 5.3 injuries per 10 workers within the last year. The injury rate decreased with hours worked. Significant differences were found on gender and education level and safety practices, with female respondents and the more educated being more proactive in practicing safety. Those working less than 40 h/week, in farms smaller than 50 acres, using light machinery or compact utility tractors, and tractors without roll-over protection reported significantly higher injury frequency compared to their counterparts. This study contributes unique data on an essential workforce not captured by current occupational injury and illness surveillance systems. It identifies important personal and contextual factors that may contribute to safety and injury in this population. The findings indicate the need to promote safety and prevent injuries that result in work time lost. This study may also inform future occupational safety and health research and practice, including surveillance, injury prevention programs that target certain workers and production practices, and policies that support and protect the organic farmer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agriculture industry lacks novel techniques for analyzing risks facing its workers. Although injuries are common in this field, existing datasets and tools are insufficient for risk assessment and mitigation for two primary reasons: they provide neither immediate nor long-term risk mitigation advice, and they do not account for hazards which fluctuate daily. The purpose of Demeter is to collect safety data about hazards on farms and produce risk analysis and mitigation reports. This application uses a combination of formula-based risk calculations and state-of-the-art graph neural networks (GNNs) to perform risk analysis and reduction. The formula-based risk calculations had a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.2110, and the GNN had an accuracy of 94.9%, a precision of 0.3521, and a recall of 0.8333. Demeter has the potential to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities among agriculture workers by alerting them to risks present in their daily workflow and suggesting safety precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify current knowledge about the role of fatigue in occupational injury in the agricultural sector and briefly assess potential intervention approaches. Narrative review of peer reviewed literature (in English) from 2010 to 2022 focusing on fatigue in agricultural and other sectors. Data were extracted from Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The initial search revealed 6,031 papers, of these 33 met the inclusion criteria. The literature unanimously agreed that fatigue contributes to occupational injury in agriculture and related industries. However, there was a scarcity of literature specific to Australia or agriculture. This limits the ability to draw conclusions about the true relationship between fatigue and injury. While fatigue is likely a major contributor to occupational injury in Australian agriculture, the limited literature impedes the ability to draw conclusions and extrapolate interventions used by other industries that are practical and feasible, to agriculture. Future studies should establish the nature of the problem in Australian agriculture and consult with members of the sector to establish the best interventions to ameliorate the problem, then implement and robustly evaluate intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Risk Information System for Commercial Fishing (RISC Fishing) merged information on fishermen and vessel incident types from various databases. This descriptive study examined linked fisherman injury records (fatal and nonfatal) and vessel incident records in Oregon and Washington from 2000 to 2018 in the RISC Fishing database. The circumstances of incidents and any association with fishermen outcomes were explored to identify injury prevention opportunities. The statistical analyses included a descriptive study of incidents related to the injury characteristics and frequency of outcomes by incident type. Further analyses included contingency tables and Pearson Chi-Square tests for selected variables to determine if there were associations between vessel incident outcomes (fatality, nonfatal injury, no injury). A total of 375 reported incidents with 93 cases of fatalities, 239 nonfatal injuries, and over 6,575 fishermen with no injury were described. Of fatalities, 90% were due to drowning, with only 2% of victims reported donning survival equipment. Deckhands experienced fatal and nonfatal injuries most frequently. The most common factors associated with nonfatal injuries included contact with objects (event), walking on vessel and hauling gear (work activities), and fractures and open wounds (nature). The most common final event leading to a vessel disaster with no injury being reported was sinking (76%). Distributions between the incident outcomes (fatality, nonfatal injury, and no injury) differed by vessel activity/type, fishery/gear, and event leading to the incident. Linked information of fishermen injury outcomes and vessel incident information showed that events and settings that involve fatalities are qualitatively different from incidents resulting in only nonfatal injuries or uninjured survivors. Vessel-level approaches for mitigating fatalities, such as ensuring vessel stability, improving navigation/operation decisions, and spotlighting survival equipment policies/rescue priorities could have a significant impact. Work task-specific prevention strategies for nonfatal injuries related to the larger vessels (catcher/processors and processors) and smaller vessels (with pot/trap gears) are paramount. The use of linked information provided in reports can provide a fuller incident picture to advance efforts to improve the working conditions of commercial fishermen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify occupational hazards and hazard control strategies adopted by inland fishers of Odisha state in India. Methods: Information on occupational hazards faced by fishers was collected by personal interviews with 90 riverine and reservoir fishers of Odisha. Through qualitative discussions with key informants and review of literature, a list of occupational hazards were prepared and classified into physical, ergonomics, psychosocial, and natural. Responses were quantified, and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: Occupational hazards faced by fishers were physical (94%), ergonomic (75%), psychosocial (50%), and natural (34%) in nature. Physical hazards include sharp fishing instruments, uneven surfaces, high temperatures, and wet/slippery areas on the vessel along with the presence of snake/leech/crocodile/fish fin rays. About 97% of reservoir and 90% of the riverine fishers reported physical hazards leading to cuts, fractures, dehydration, headache, sunburn, snakebite, leech bite, crocodile bite, and injuries due to fish fin rays. Heavy nature of work and force exerting activities caused pain in the upper back (50%), shoulders (45%), and lower back (41%). Regarding psychosocial hazard, stress (31%), and anxiety (23%) was reported. Common reasons for this were uncertainty in fish catch and extended working hours, causing tiredness, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. Natural hazards like cyclones, floods, and excessive rain caused financial loss and damage to fishing nets and boats. Regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), floating buoys were used by 26% of riverine and 43% of reservoir fishers to avoid drowning. Conclusion: Occupational hazards in the inland fishing sector were identified as physical, ergonomic, psychosocial, and natural. No particular hazard control strategy was reported to be used. Integrating the occupational safety measures in the fisheries policies is thus needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deck machinery is a leading source of hospitalized injury for commercial fishing workers in Alaska. More detailed data are needed about the specific circumstances leading to injuries for developing targeted prevention efforts. This study analyzed claims submitted to the Alaska Fisherman's Fund (AFF) to identify patterns among injuries in Alaska from commercial fishing winches. During January 1, 2000–November 1, 2020, 125 traumatic injuries from commercial fishing winches were identified, mainly occurring among males (94%), frequently among fishermen aged 30 years or younger (54%). Over 80% of winch injuries occurred in salmon fisheries. By gear type, 40% of injuries occurred on vessels using purse seine gear, 30% on vessels using drift gillnet gear, and 12% among set gillnet operators. Most injuries involved a fisherman having a body part caught in or compressed by a winch or cables attached to a winch (67%). Injuries mainly affected upper extremities including fingers (50% of cases) or hands/wrists (together 22% of cases). Injury severity was not formally assessed, but injuries ranged from contusions, sprains, and strains to finger or hand crushing injuries, upper limb amputation, skull fracture, spinal fracture, and chest trauma. Most cases involved fractures (23%), amputations (18%), lacerations (16%), and contusions (16%). Of all injuries, 51% were caused by anchor winches, 32% were caused by deck winches, 9% were caused by trailer winches, and 9% were caused by other types of winches. Practical solutions are needed for avoiding entanglement and struck-by hazards when operating fishing winches. Anchor winches warrant focused attention, having accounted for more than half of all winch injuries identified in this study. Engineering solutions, including emergency stop devices or other simple mechanical interventions depending on winch type, could help to avert potentially disabling injuries from winches. Administrative controls such as task-specific training for winches should be emphasized, especially for younger or less experienced commercial fishing crew, who may be at increased risk for injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study seeks to enhance understanding of the complex nature of fatal farm injuries and thereby support the development of targeted safety messages or interventions. The research analyses fatal farm injuries surveillance data collected by the Health and Safety Authority (Ireland) for the period 2004–2018. Utilizing Non-Linear Canonical Correlation Analysis (NLCCA) to identify similarities and differences between 274 fatal injuries, multiple interactions and correlations between two sets of variables were identified. The analysis identified two major patterns of injury. The first relates to older farmers (60+) who were killed due to being struck by an object in motion, i.e. a tractor or machine. These injuries occurred mainly during the summer or winter between 13:00 and 18:00 in the Southern-Eastern regions. The second pattern also relates to older farmers, however these fatalities are associated with beef production and the primary cause of injury was being kicked or crushed by livestock. These injuries commonly occur in the Border, Midland, and Western regions where fatalities are prevalent during spring and outside of normal working hours. Assessing interactions between variables demonstrates to whom, how, when, and where fatal injuries affect different groups within the farm population. These findings provide regulators and farm safety stakeholders with key insights into background characteristics of fatal injuries including type of enterprise, time of day, season, and regional location that should be used to develop safety awareness, training, and targeted interventions to at-risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of agricultural work in the United States (U.S.) must account for at least two important trends: 1) the persistence of the industry being riddled with high rates of injury and illness and 2) the growing proportion of hired farmworkers compared to family farmworkers working in these dangerous environments. These workers confront structural disadvantages that impede social justice and prosperity. Social structures like policies, economic systems, institutions, and social hierarchies create health disparities, often along the lines of social categories. The result is an already dangerous industry with vulnerable workers facing unjust risks, especially those that are undocumented. Agricultural health and safety professionals and other stakeholders should engage structural competency curricula in order to increase awareness of impact of structures and be better positioned to improve farmworker health and wellbeing. Similar work has been successful in the training healthcare professionals, e.g. the Structural Competency Working Group (SCWG). New strategies are needed to improve farmworker wellbeing and retain an adequate agricultural workforce. A greater understanding of the social and structural concerns that farmworkers face is an important step towards occupational and social justice. It is also clear that it will require collaboration and community-based efforts creating a larger team of people using similar concepts related to the structural influences on whether health and wellbeing are distributed equitably. This work is being moved forward in healthcare, social work, worker organizations, and community-based initiatives. Agricultural health and safety professionals have a vital contribution to make if they join the ranks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on safety and risk assessment for agricultural Automation and autonomy. Topics include growing interest in agricultural automation and autonomy is driven largely by labor issues including worker shortages resulting in high labor cost; and how to physically remove a human operator from a machine-related task is desirable as a method to reduce injury or health risk.

The purposes of this study were to analyze Latino/a immigrant mushroom workers' perceptions of how the workplace environment shapes occupational safety and health, examine whether and how those perceptions differ by gender, and identify future areas for research on occupational safety and health in the mushroom industry. Researchers conducted structured interviews with 15 women and 45 men on 6 Pennsylvania mushroom farms to obtain their descriptions and perspectives of safety and health risk factors in their workplaces. Approximately one third of respondents had suffered an injury at work, and nearly half felt that there are workplace factors that affect their health and safety. The study found that Latino/a mushroom farmworkers perceive risks that are posed by the indoor infrastructure of mushroom production houses, including poorly maintained wooden walkways and cool indoor temperatures, and by the organization of mushroom production work, including the application of chemicals including pesticides, physical demands of the job, use of small knives, contact with compost, and the piece rate payment system. Workers commonly discussed back pain and believed it was associated with the organization of work. Women in the sample were more likely to be concerned about slips and falls than men and less likely to be concerned about aches and pains. Mushroom farm infrastructure and the specific demands of the jobs pose occupational safety and health risks to Latino/a farmworkers that merit further study to develop adequate public health interventions. Future research should obtain gender-disaggregated objective reports of injury, aches and pains, and discomfort and test for relationships between these reports and the indoor infrastructure and conditions of mushroom production work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occupational injury rate of the dairy industry (6.6 per 100 full-time workers) is twice that of the national average across all industries (3.3 per 100 full-time workers). While dairy farms are becoming larger in size and fewer in number, this rate has not changed. A scoping review was conducted to identify published reports of occupational safety interventions in the dairy industry. An additional criterion was that the study included an evaluation of the intervention. Out of 22 articles that met the first criterion (discussion of interventions specific to the dairy industry), 19 met the second of having an evaluative component. These 19 articles corresponded to 16 unique studies, because 4 articles corresponded to the same study. Of the 16 unique studies, only 3 had a comparison of treatment vs. control effects, and none measured the impact of the intervention on injuries and fatalities. Of the 16 interventions, 6 were focused on training or informational campaigns in which the evaluations primarily measured knowledge acquisition. Additionally, none of these studies had a sufficient sample size to compare injury rates as an outcome. Our study demonstrates that the literature lacks any rigorous evaluation of whether dairy safety interventions are making an impact on injury prevention. Given this, it is not possible to determine how work-related injuries and deaths can be prevented in the dairy industry. Recommendations for future research include incorporating rigorous evaluation into research designs and attempting to develop low-cost, unobtrusive methods for collecting data on intermediate and final outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of occupational workplace injury risk factors is dependent on gaining sufficient and reliable data on both injury occurrence and associated workplace factors. Assessing workplace injury risk factors associated with farming is challenged by non-collection, non-reporting, or under-reporting by farmers, particularly those operating family farms in a self-employed manner. A supplementary (or add-on) farm operator (FO) workplace injury survey was undertaken in association with the Irish National Farm Survey (NFS), which is responsible for provision of Irish farm-level data to the European Commission (EC) Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). Data from this add-on survey were analyzed in association with farm and socio-economic data routinely collected by NFS as a component of the FADN. The combined data-set was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques including multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors for occurrence of farm operator workplace injuries (FOWI). FOWI levels were significantly higher on farms where both the FO and their spouse engaged in Off Farm Employment (OFE). More generally, FO injury levels were associated with farm workload and investment levels. The study demonstrates how FADN farm and socio-economic data can be combined with additional FO workplace injury data to identify workplace injury risk factors. The study identifies a risk factor for FOWI occurrence where both FO and spouse engaged in OFE. More generally, it indicates that farm workplace injuries are associated with farm management-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is produced in manure storage facilities and released during manure agitation. Exposure to this gas presents health risks to workers at daily exposure of greater than 10 parts per million (ppm). Exposure levels on BC dairy farms are unknown. The aim of this study was to document peak H2S exposure levels to operators and bystanders during manure agitation on British Columbia dairy farms to determine if action levels were exceeded. Farms were evaluated at two time points during manure agitation. Both operator exposure and potential exposure sampling were undertaken. Peak hydrogen sulfide levels were measured and categorized as greater than or less than the ceiling level (10 ppm) and action level (5 ppm). Associations between H2S levels above the ceiling level and farm factors were assessed. Measures were recorded at 43 dairy farms with 91 total measures recorded. Action levels were exceeded in 30% of operator measures and 64% of potential exposure measures while 20% of operator and 53% of potential peak H2S measures exceeded 10 ppm. Manure storage facilities were evenly distributed between indoor and outdoor locations with under-barn (43%) and outdoor storage (47%) most common. Sawdust was the most prominent bedding type (65%). Tractor operated propeller was the most common type of agitation equipment (62%). Manure temperature remained a significant predictor in the multivariate model for operator peak exposure. Exposure to H2S above the action level commonly occurs on BC Dairy farms. Given that Worksafe BC requires exposure control plans for H2S levels above 5 ppm, and that on dairy farms, measures of operator and potential H2S exposures were recorded above these levels, best practices to reduce potential H2S exposure are necessary to reduce possible operator and bystander exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on occupational health and safety practices in Brazilian aquaculture is limited. This paper reports preliminary results from an online survey based on research questions to identify occupational hazards, risk assessment practices, and prevention measures adopted in Brazilian aquaculture. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, comprising 25 questions, on a voluntary and anonymous basis. Aquaculture stakeholders were invited to participate in the study through email and social media channels. The demographic data demonstrated that the majority of respondents were men (72%) and having a higher education (95%). Most respondents employed administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) rather than substitution and other risk elimination measures to reduce exposure. The most commonly adopted measures were PPE use (87%), adequate handling of chemicals (86%), and imparting knowledge of risks (90%). However, only 12% of participants reported the presence of safety protocols at their workplace, and 17% had some form of immunization of workers. In this study, it was possible to identify a lack of hazard signage in the workplace and lack of occupational health and safety training. The results further indicate that risk management in aquaculture continues to be a challenge in low-income countries. Aquaculture farmers should be encouraged and supported in adopting measures and appropriate technologies to eliminate risks in Brazilian aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In 2017 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries committed to prioritize occupational safety and health issues in aquaculture (AOSH). An international team was established to synthesize OSH knowledge concerning more than 19 million, often vulnerable, aquaculture workers found globally. Methods: The study was conducted as a desktop scoping exercise using both peer-reviewed and gray literature and the knowledge and expertize of an international panel. Collated information used a standard proforma. Panel members developed draft national and regional AOSH profiles outlining occupational hazards contributing to occupational injuries, diseases, and known solutions. These were work-shopped and refined after gathering additional information and used to compile the first global scoping review report on AOSH. Results: Synthesized results revealed multiple hazards, significant global knowledge gaps and some successful and unsuccessful global, national and industry-specific AOSH policies, practices and standards along the primary supply chain, in marine and freshwater contexts. Some constructive initiatives by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and FAO, industry, labor and civil society groups in a range of employment and geographical settings and across diverse populations of workers were identified. Conclusion: Global commitment to AOSH should be given the same focus as product quality, biosecurity, food safety and environmental sustainability in the sector. This needs development and implementation of integrated AOSH actions appropriate for diverse settings especially in low and middle-income countries encompassing greater uptake of international codes, better risk assessment and OSH management, adoption of technological innovations, effective OSH regulation and enforcement, adequate resources, training and information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ants, bees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets (insects in Order Hymenoptera) are potentially a serious concern to outdoor workers, as the venom from their stings can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. This study assessed the impacts of Hymenoptera stings and related worker training regimes of forestry workers across the United States (US). Methods: A survey was distributed to nearly 2,000 outdoor workers in the forestry industry from four US regions (South, West, Northeast, and Midwest). Results: Ants are a primary concern in the South, with >75% of participants reporting ant stings within the last 5 years. Bees, hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets are a concern for surveyed foresters in all US regions, with 60–70% and 75–93% of participants, respectively, having been stung by bees or hornets/wasps/yellow jackets within the last 5 years. Despite such a large number of participants experiencing stings, nearly 75% of participants were not concerned about being stung or their reaction to stings. Approximately, 70% of participants reported not having received any safety training related to Hymenoptera from their employers. Conclusion: No significant difference was shown in the number of foresters stung at work between safety trained and non-safety trained participants. However, it was significantly more likely for participants to carry a first aid kit if they had received Hymenoptera safety training. Consequently, more comprehensive and frequent training should be considered to help reduce risk of exposure to Hymenoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This article describes levels of implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) controls on a sample of Irish farms following completion of a risk assessment document (RAD) made available as part of a statutory code of practice (COP) for the agriculture sector. The article describes the legislation mandating the COP and the operation of a prevention initiative (PI) among key stakeholders to develop and promote farmer use of the COP and RAD. Methods: RADs were collected for farmers (N = 475) and the number and type of OHS controls listed for action were tabulated. A farm audit of OHS standards and of implementation of controls listed for action in the RAD was undertaken among a randomly selected sample of farms (N = 94) where the RAD was completed. Results: The study data indicates that farmers used the RAD to a limited extent, and that their focus in its use was on identifying physical rather than organizational controls. An association was found between farmers who actively implemented controls and positive OHS standards. Farm OHS standards were also associated with farmer attitude to OHS, farm enterprise, farmer age category, and work time needed to operate the farm. Conclusions: Overall, the study data suggests that standards of farm management are a crucial determinant of OHS standards. The study data also indicates that having knowledge of required OHS controls does not ensure implementation. Development of social learning in groups is considered as a significant means of increasing OHS farm adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. Within agriculture, livestock handling is particularly dangerous. While injury and fatality rates for bison handlers have not been reported, workers in many of the newly established tribal bison herds have limited safety training and animal handling experience, making this a vulnerable workforce. Veterinarians and herd managers, working with tribal bison herds, recognized the need for improvement in the working environment and for worker safety training. In response, partnerships were established and a pilot project was developed in order to characterize risks and hazards associated with bison handling under contemporary reservation field conditions. Individuals and organizations working as change agents included veterinarians at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln School of Veterinary Medicine, a tribal advocacy organization, the Intertribal Buffalo Council and researchers at the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Methods: This is a mixed-methods study and data were gathered through closed and open-ended questions pertaining to bison worker safety hazards. A veterinarian gathered data through observational safety audits at bison herding locations. American Indian bison herd managers completed surveys using a convenience sampling method. Results: Findings indicate that the most common worker safety risks are associated with the use of high-stress handling methods and substandard facilities and equipment. Adverse environmental conditions also contribute to worker health risks. Most common causes of injuries included those caused by equipment and tools, adverse weather, and direct contact with animals. Conclusion: This collaborative research study contributes to a better understanding of hazards faced by tribal bison workers. Findings from this research influenced the ITBC in their decision to add worker safety and health training to the agenda of their yearly conference and promote tailgate trainings for their workers. UNL veterinarians have taken the lessons learned from this research and provided safety and health information to mangers of other non-tribal bison herds. This research partnership will continue with a 5-year research study focusing on best management practices and establishing training to improve the health and safety bison workers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The application of the hierarchy of control (HOC) is a well-established approach to hazard reduction in industrial workplaces. However, it has not been generally applied in farm workplaces. The objective was to determine current practices of farmers in the context of a modified HOC, and the effect of these practices on farm injury outcomes. A self-reported mail survey of 1196 Saskatchewan farm operations was conducted in 2013. Selected survey questions were used as proxy measures of the farm owner-operator’s practices relevant to each of the six steps of increasing importance in a modified HOC: (1) hazard identification; (2) risk assessment; (3) personal protection; (4) administrative controls; (5) engineering controls; and (6) elimination of the hazard. Analysis used basic descriptive statistics and logistic regression to examine associations of interest. When four of the six HOC steps were adhered to, there was a significant protective effect: odds ratio (OR) = 0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.74) for any injury and OR = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.07–0.99) for serious injury in the overall study population. For farm owner-operators utilizing four of the six steps in the modified HOC, there was a significant protective effect for any injury (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11–0.83). Although there is a considerable absence of use of elements of the HOC among farm operators, for farmers who adhere to these steps, there is a significant reduction in their risk for injury. Prevention strategies that embrace the practice of these principles may be effective in the control of farm workplace injury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fatal and nonfatal injuries occur on catfish farms as a result of tractor overturns, but these injuries can be greatly mitigated when a tractor is equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and seatbelt. This study analyzed the proportion of tractors on catfish farms in Mississippi not equipped with ROPS and the cost of retrofitting those tractors with a ROPS and seatbelt as compared to the expected benefits gained from adding the protection. To determine if farmers have the financial incentive to retrofit older tractors, a net present value framework was used because the expected benefits occur over a number of years. The ROPS retrofit is a one-time cost that occurs immediately, and thus the present value does not need to be calculated, i.e., time period 0. According to this study adding ROPS will provide a net benefit of $22,877 in the event of an overturn. When dealing with small farms (<125 acres) where an average tractor is used for approximately twice as many hours compared to an average tractor on large farms, the extra hours worked by a single tractor resulted in total benefits of retrofitting ROPS of $9.45 per year, whereas for large farms the net benefit is $4.70 (=125 acres). Given that the least expensive retrofit is $147, it would take 15.5 years of tractor use on the small farms for the expected benefits to outweigh the cost. Given the large range of costs that could occur due to an overturn, there could be a significant premium for not having ROPS protection. In other words, there likely is a smaller range of costs from an overturn with ROPS than without ROPS because ROPS reduces the more serious incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Tractor rollovers, machine entanglements, and falls have consistently resulted in high rates of fatal and nonfatal injury on farms. While rates continue to be high, we know very little about how compliant machinery and equipment are with recommended safety standards. This study examined compliance with recommended safety standards among 31 farms in Iowa. Methods: We developed a hazard assessment tool to evaluate agricultural injury hazards on farms. We enrolled 31 row crop farms in Iowa between August and October, 2019. Data collection included an interview with the farm owner or operator and an environmental assessment of safety hazards. We graded various hazards associated with tractors, entanglements, and falls using measures of compliance to recommended safety standards. We also examined the prevalence of injury to owners or operators, family members, contract farmworkers, and hired farm hands. Results/Findings: More than half (52%) of the farm workers experienced an injury that resulted in medical attention. Among the 31 farms enrolled, there were three fatalities related to farm work, all of which occurred among owners or operators. We found that 87% of farms were compliant with roll-over protective structures (ROPS), and 71% of farms had a seatbelt in good working condition. For power take-off (PTO) powered implements, 16% of farms were compliant with PTO guards. For fixed implements, such as augers, grain dryers, and bench grinders, 48% of farms were compliant with recommended safety standards. Approximately two-thirds of farms were compliant with ladder safety, and 45% were compliant with having handrails at working elevations. Practical Application: Many of the tractors and other hazardous equipment were present and mostly compliant with recommended safety standards. However, there is clearly a need for improved compliance with recommended safety standards among specific hazardous equipment on the farm. Our hazard assessment tool provides farmers and other stakeholders with an opportunity to systematically and comprehensively evaluate compliance to recommended safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Health and Safety Adoption from Use of a Risk Assessment Document on Irish Farms," published in a previous issue of the periodical, is presented.