Penn State Extension is seeking input from farmers, farm workers, and their families to better understand safety and health challenges in agriculture and identify preferred solutions.
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous and stressful occupations, contributing to higher rates of physical and mental health challenges among agricultural workers compared to other sectors, noted Florence Becot, leader of Penn State’s Agricultural Safety and Health programs and the Nationwide Insurance Early Career Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
“Besides impacts on quality of life, these health challenges have direct repercussions on farm operations, including productivity, farm operation development and transition, and farm operation resilience,” Becot said.
Participants can complete a short survey to share their experiences and priorities related to farm safety and health. Recognizing that farmers often feel over-surveyed and have limited time and energy this time of year, Becot said the survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The team seeks input from agricultural workers producing any commodities at any scale.
Among other topics, survey respondents can indicate their level of interest in:
— Safe operation and maintenance of equipment such as tractors and machinery.
— Confined-space safety for grain bins, silos, storage tanks and manure pits.
— Structure safety for buildings, shops and electrical systems.
— Environmental hazards, including heat/cold stress, dust and gases.
— Ergonomics and safe movements.
— Personal protective equipment.
— Emergency preparedness.
— Pesticide and chemical safety.
— Livestock/animal handling safety and biosecurity.
— Children’s safety: childproofing the farm, safe tasks for the children and childcare options.
— Mental health and stress management.
— Emerging technologies and robotics/autonomous system safety.
— Family well-being, such as child/disability/elder care and health insurance.
— Safety certifications.
After providing some background information about health and safety on the farm, survey respondents can share the solutions they find most helpful, such as farm safety and health training targeted to owners/managers, workers, or children/youth; farm safety walk-throughs; safety training toolkits; low-cost/free personal protective equipment; and financial support for safety improvements.
Respondents can indicate the training formats of most interest, such as “how-to” articles or training videos, webinars, presentations, hands-on training, or tailored safety training at their place of business.
“It’s been several years since Penn State has conducted an assessment of this type,” said Becot, who has a doctorate in environment and natural resources with a specialization in rural sociology from the Ohio State University. “We want to ensure that we are responsive to the needs of agricultural communities. This survey also will help us keep a pulse on common concerns and hazards in agriculture and how these are changing over time.”
In addition to informing work at Penn State Extension, Becot explained, “the findings from the survey will also be used to inform the work of the Pennsylvania Farm Safety and Occupational Health Board.” Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, this state-wide board includes representatives from farm organizations, equipment manufacturers, health and emergency response organizations, high school and university educational institutions, and state government, all working together to identify solutions to better support the health and safety of the sector. Becot represents Penn State on the board.
As a thank-you, survey respondents can enter for a chance to win a free farm safety item. The raffled items will include a slow-moving vehicle sign, power take-off shield cover, high-visibility children’s t-shirt, lockout/tagout kit and anti-vibration gloves.
The survey is available at https://extension.psu.edu/farm-safety-health-survey. To receive a paper version of the survey, individuals can contact Becot at 814-865-1783 or ffb5072@psu.edu.
