Presentation Abstracts
Breakout Session 1: Room A
Feedback Survey Metrics Development from The Grain Handling Safety Coalition Train the Trainer Program to Determine Preferred Teaching Methods to Grain Bin Safety Educators
Jaime Thissen; NIOSH Trainee, SURGE Fellow, Sequoyah Fellow; Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Grain Handling Safety Coalition
Injury events involving grain handling systems is a major safety issue. Injuries have been documented when they are both full and empty. As such, training is necessary for both preventative measures and rescue involving the grain bin environment. The Grain Handling Safety Coalition is a leader in developing new, advanced training programs for rural communities. One program is the Train the Trainer Program. This initiative trains grain safety instructors with the primary goal of reaching those who work with grain in elevators and on farms. This paper will present the current results of preferred training methods as indicated in surveys administered by the Grain Handling Safety Coalition in the Train the Trainer Program based on developed metrics. Additionally, various statistical analyses were formed to track participant response trends utilizing Visual Basic code. Key information categories were also developed based on data trends. Preferences for hands-on training techniques and videos were indicated. Clearly, demonstration-based teaching was desired. It was anticipated that this trend will continue as more surveys are administered and processed.
Training Supervisors to Protect Youth Working in Agriculture
Diane Rohlman, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Iowa
Youth working in agricultural experience higher rates of injury than youth in all other industries combined. Inexperience, fatigue, substance use, and distracted behaviors are common risk factors that can impact their safety, health, and performance both on and off the job. While supervisors can play an active role in protecting young workers, there are currently no interventions targeting this group. The goal of this project is to develop, evaluate, and disseminate an online training for supervisors of young agricultural workers. Utilizing the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM), the approach is to change perceptions of threat and efficacy in order to influence supervisors’ behavior and enforcement of workplace policies. Content was developed utilizing existing safety guidelines (e.g., Safety Guidelines for Adolescent Farm Workers), model workplace policies (e.g., Model Policy: Youth Employment in Agriculture), and health promotion topics to utilize a Total Worker Health approach. An iterative process was used to evaluate the training. Occupational safety and health experts rated training competencies on clarity (messages clearly stated and easy to understand), accuracy (content correct and information up to date), and completeness (enough information provided). Pilot testing among supervisors of young agricultural workers is underway.
Breakout Session 1: Room B
Building Capacity for Nurse Practitioners to Advance Total Farmer HealthSM
Natalie Roy, MPH, and Carolyn Sheridan, BSN
Farmers are an underserved population with a unique set of farm-related health risks. In 2015, AgriSafe founded the Total Farmer HealthSM campaign to recognize these risks and to effectively communicate strategies to advance farmer health. AgriSafe applied Total Farmer HealthSM to the Nurse Practitioner (NP) profession because NPs approach to care is holistic and preventive based. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who are trained in the field of agromedicine have the ability to reduce rates of hearing loss, pesticide exposure, farm injuries, respiratory health conditions, skin cancer and zoonotic diseases.
AgriSafe will share an innovative model of advancing the knowledge and clinical competency of NPs to serve the occupational health care needs of Ag producers and agribusiness. Agrisafe has designed and pilot tested new clinical courses and web- based clinical modules to complement the care delivery in rural communities.
Presenters will share specific examples of how farmers have benefited from NPs initiative in Northwest Iowa. Expansion plans for the NP model are well underway and will be discussed during the presentation. The sense of urgency to train NPs across the nation has become intense, as they are the front-line resource to disseminate information along with preventing illnesses found in this unique population.
Infection Control Practices and Zoonotic Disease Risk Among Utah Practicing Veterinarians
Kerry A. Rood, MS, DVM, Utah State University
Practicing veterinarians are exposed to unique occupational hazards and zoonotic diseases. National studies have highlighted a lack of veterinary awareness for these hazards. In Utah (and likely other states), reports of acquired zoonoses are sporadic, and underlying risk factors poorly understood. To better clarify occupational risk factors, the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of Utah veterinarians were examined. An internet based survey was sent to 809, currently licensed, Utah veterinarians identified from a list provided by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. Two hundred and thirty-five (29%) veterinarians responded, with 91.5% self-identifying as clinical veterinarians. Animal bites, needle-sticks, and cuts were specifically queried with 40.5, 59.8, 21.6%, respectively, reporting these injuries within the past year. Nearly 8% of clinical veterinarians reported not being vaccinated against rabies virus, with 44% not checking their rabies titer in 10 years or longer. Twenty-two percent reported having contracted a zoonotic disease. While 19% reported having access to particulate respirators, only 24% had undergone fit testing. Sixteen percent of Utah clinical veterinarians reported lost time from work due to an animal injury. Of those who reported time lost from work, 81% indicated one or more lost days, with 25% missing a month or more. These results highlight the need for veterinary education and outreach on occupational hazards and disease risk.
Breakout Session 1: Room C
AgrAbility 101 – An introduction to the Who, What, When, Why and Where of AgrAbility
JoBeth Rath, National AgrAbility Project Partner – Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. For this target audience, “success” may be defined by many parameters, including: gainful employment in production agriculture or a related occupation; access to appropriate assistive technology needed for work and daily living activities; evidence-based information related to the treatment and rehabilitation of disabling conditions; and targeted support for family caregivers of AgrAbility customers. This session will help participants gain working knowledge of AgrAbility, understand the funding structure and process for obtaining funding and learn how to locate services in a specific area, as well as how to access online tools
You Snooze, YOU WIN!
Emily Freudenburg, Rural Rehabilitation Specialist – Nebraska AgrAbility
Are you wired and tired? Having trouble sleeping? In this session, will examine the relationship between lack of sleep and farm accident incidents. Not only does lack of sleep affect mental and physical health, it messes with one’s ability to think clearly and make good decisions to stay safe while work. As a result, injuries on the farm or ranch can happen more frequently. Participants will learn tricks for better sleep and greater safety by taking an online interactive quiz to determine their sleep smarts, then will learn facts about why they should be more proactive to have good sleep habits
Breakout Session 2: Room A
The All-Terrain Vehicle Exposure and Crash Experiences of Iowa Future Farmers of America Members
Charles Jennissen, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) continue to be popular vehicles for occupational and recreational purposes, especially on farms. The objective of this study was to better understand the ATV-related crash experiences of adolescents in rural areas. Attendees of the 2017 Iowa Future Farmers of America (FFA) Leadership Conference were surveyed. Data related to when FFA members first rode an ATV as a passenger and as a driver, when they had their first ATV crash as a passenger and as a driver, the total number of ATV-related crashes they had been in, and whether they ever had to seek medical attention due to an ATV-related crash and, if so, at what age were collected. Over 500 surveys were completed. Descriptive and comparative analyses will be performed prior to the conference and presented. ATV exposure and crash-related variables will be compared in relationship to age, sex, where the FFA member lived, and family ATV ownership.
AgHealth-Balance: Developing a Self-Evaluation Tool for Balance Stability
Jung-Hung Chien, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Agriculture has high occupational injury and fatality rates, and a relatively high proportion of the injuries occur due to falls. Sleep deprivation and fatigue affect balance stability and alertness, but it is difficult for an individual to determine to what degree his/her functioning has been compromised. The objective of this study was to develop a smartphone application, AgHealth-Balance, which provides a simple way to conduct a self-evaluation of balance. The first prototype of this application has been developed for the iPhone. This application uses the phone’s built-in accelerators to generate three-dimensional motion data for power spectrum analysis to evaluate balance performance. The sample rate of data is set as 50Hz. The balance performance is expressed on a scale from excellent to poor. The information can be stored on the iPhone and it can also be exported as txt format file though email for further analyses. The next step in this project is to validate the AgHealth-Balance app with a research-grade sensor in controlled environments and then test it with farmers during different seasons. If successful, this application will provide a simple inexpensive self-evaluation tool to measure balance stability and increase self-awareness about fall injury risks in farm work.
Breakout Session 2: Room B
Agricultural Injury Surveillance
Kelsie Musil, MPH, MS, University of Nebraska Medical Center
There are no current national injury surveillance systems covering non-fatal occupational injuries to self-employed farmers and ranchers. To help fill this gap, the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) initiated annual injury surveys in 2011, covering seven Midwestern states. These surveys were administered by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). A total of 9022 responses were received for 2011-2014 surveys (response rate 32%). The average annual injury rate was 7.2 injuries per 100 workers; higher than the rate for hired agricultural workers, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (5.7/100 workers). Demographic and production variables from Census of Agriculture data were linked to injury survey data, and the combined dataset enables analyses of rates, characteristics, costs, and risk factors for injury. The leading sources of injury were livestock (27%), tractors (9%), ATVs (5%), other machinery (10%), hand tools (10%), power tools (5%) and working surfaces (9%). The average medical costs were $11,036 ($2,250 out-of-pocket, $8,786 paid by insurance). Risk factors for injury included male gender, younger age, greater farm size, and ranching (vs. farming). The results indicate self-employed farmers and ranchers remain at high risk of injury. The identified sources and risk factors can be used for designing interventions.
AgriSafe Hazard Mapping for Young Producers
Charlotte Halverson, BSN, COHN-S, AgriSafe Network.
A Hazard Map is a visual representation of the workplace where there are hazards that could cause injuries or illness. Commonly practiced in other industries, Hazard Mapping exercises can be used to identify risks at an entire farm and to specify hazards associated with specific areas, buildings or equipment. AgriSafe designed a Hazard Mapping curriculum for young producers as a method to:
- examine the hazards in agricultural production.
- identify and locate hazards so that those hazards can be targeted for elimination.
- embrace a participatory process that involves as many students as possible.
- respect the vast array of skill, experience and know-how that students have about their farm jobs and their dangers.
The AgriSafe Hazard Mapping model is based first on the assumption that the student’s active involvement in the learning process is essential. AgriSafe will provide examples of how retention of information is enhanced when students are active participants.
Breakout Session 2: Room C
Evaluating and Using Apps and Wearable Technology for Agricultural Workers
Aaron Yoder, PhD., Assistant Professor, Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Mobile and wearable devices and the application software (also known as apps) that run on these devices are becoming ubiquitous in the general population. Measure sound; check wind speed and direction for chemical application; find the appropriate angle of a ladder; calculate chemical volumes correctly – there’s an app for that! This reality has tremendous potential for improving the health and safety of individuals that work in agriculture. A plethora of apps and devices already exist that can be used for the assessment of workplace hazards and implementation of worker protection. However, very little guidance on the use of these apps for agricultural safety and health exists. This presentation will briefly cover the basics of evaluating apps and technology that have potential usefulness in this area, and present some of the current applications of wearable technology and apps in agricultural safety and health research and outreach.
Roundtables
Roundtable Session: Room A
Promoting Engineering Approaches to All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Agricultural Safety
Gerene Denning, PhD, and Charles Jennissen, MD, University of Iowa Emergency Medicine
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are commonly used for a number of critical occupational tasks. However, ATVs have become a major source of vehicle-related deaths and injuries on the farm. The youngest and oldest farm workers are at highest risk. A recent engineering approach developed in Australia to prevent or reduce injuries during a rollover is the Crush-Protection Device (CPD). Three CPD designs are currently available. Preliminary epidemiologic evidence suggests CPDs can be protective under many conditions encountered in agricultural crashes. Additionally, helmet use by farmers is extremely low because ATV/Motorcycle helmets are poorly designed for occupational use. Like CPDs, occupational helmets (two current designs also available from Australia) are an engineering approach to injury prevention and are the primary strategy for reducing brain injuries in an ATV crash. Unfortunately, the use of engineering approaches for ATV safety is extremely rare among American farmers. Preventing ATV-related deaths and injuries on the farm will require partnering engineering approaches to other strategies and developing effective targeted interventions for farming communities.
Roundtable Session: Room B
Social Media in Ag
Jenna Gibbs, MPH, PhD, Coordinator, Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, University of Iowa; Ash Bruxvoort, Women Food and Agriculture Network Communications Coordinator; Will Fett, Executive Director, Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation; Ellen Duysen, Coordinator, CS-CASH; Greg Wallace, Extension Organizational Advancement, Iowa State University.
Social media has blossomed in the last decade as way to build relationships, share information, and connect with a diverse audience. This round table will feature agricultural safety & health researchers, agricultural communications experts, and farm-focused bloggers who are using Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Blogging, etc to get out agriculture-related messages. The panel will discuss a) current status of social media use in the farming community, b) what makes a successful ‘post’, c) how to create interactive posts and get feedback on agricultural topics (particularly those involving safety/health topics) c) how to engage farm youth on social media, and d) how to evaluate the impact of social media for outreach purposes (e.g., reach, engagement, shares, link clicks). During or immediately after the session, attendees of the conference will be invited to generate unique and catchy hashtags (#) that are good for both agricultural health and sustainability promotions. A full list of the catchy hashtags will be shared with all at the end of the session or the end of the conference.
Roundtable Session: Room C
Assistive Tools & Technology
Shawn Ehlers, PhD, National AgrAbility Project and Breaking New Ground, Purdue University: JoBeth Rath, National AgrAbility Project Partner – Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.
Assistive technology comes in many forms – some expensive, some inexpensive, some large and some small. This roundtable will discuss uses for adaptive equipment and assistive technology and how it can be utilized to increase safety, prevent injury or allow an individual with a disability to complete a task. The session will also cover the concept of secondary injury and considerations when utilizing adaptive equipment or assistive technology. During this hands-on roundtable, participants will learn about, test and touch several pieces of assistive equipment, and learn how they can make a difference.