Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health最新文献

Highlights: Most farmers never had a skin cancer assessment by a health professional, but almost 20% had a skin cancer diagnosis. While at risk for skin cancer, Ohio farmers have not widely adopted sun safety protection behaviors. Understanding sun safety practices of farmers may guide development of appropriate resources and interventions.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to identify sun exposure risk factors and sun protection behaviors from a sample of Ohio farmers. A convenience sample of farmers was invited to complete a self-report survey, either online or by paper and pencil at annual pesticide training courses and community-based safety programs. This cross-sectional and descriptive study used public domain survey questions by Glanz et al. and Oh et al. Respondents totaled 505 and self-identified primarily as male, married or with a domestic partner, white, non-Latino, with very fair to fair skin, and worked full-time mostly in field crops. Over 50% of farmers applied or reapplied sunscreen. Between 50% and 70% wore a shirt with sleeves, sunglasses, and/or a hat; a baseball cap was the preferred headwear. Farmers (67%) reported 0-1 sunburns last year, and 83% said they sit in the sun to get a tan. Younger farmers (<44 years old) spent more time in the sun to tan and reported fewer painful sunburns. Most farmers (58%) never had a professional skin cancer assessment, but 17% had a skin cancer diagnosis. While at risk for skin cancer, Ohio farmers have not widely adopted sun safety protection behaviors. Data may direct future multidisciplinary health and safety educational programming by state Extension outreach and healthcare providers.

Highlights: Agricultural mechanic student's perceptions of noise levels are above recommended exposure limit. Direct and indirect exposure to decibel levels in a laboratory setting aids in shaping student perceptions. Student perceptions can be affected by changes in course instruction.

Abstract: Safety in agricultural laboratories is of the highest concern for teachers and instructors. While there is a known safety concern with hearing in agriculture, a deficiency in the attitudes and perceptions relating to the output of decibels of tools in agricultural laboratory settings has been identified. This research focuses on hearing and noise levels in an agricultural mechanics laboratory by exposing students directly and indirectly to noise levels through project-based learning and informational posters throughout the laboratory. Pre- and post-course data are used to address students' perceptions of noise level outputs and willingness to wear hearing protection. Pre-course responses show a disconnect between perceptions of noise levels and the given threshold for wearing hearing protection. This perception gap closed over the semester as post-course responses show an increase in correct tool to threshold responses. The frequency of responses aligned with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended hearing protection threshold also shows growth. While there is still a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed, we feel that the exposure provided through both direct and indirect instruction throughout the course can lead to knowledge gained and perceptions changed.

Highlights: While fluorescing gel may evaporate from a surface, luminance of the surface does not change. Fluorescing gel exhibits thresholds beyond which additional gel density does not increase luminance. Fluorescing gel only transfers between surfaces when it is wet. There are limits to relating luminance and mass transfer. Fluorescent material is a useful proxy for contamination transfer demonstration and research.

Abstract: Glo Germ fluorescing material is a popular tool for teaching and researching contaminant transfer in and out of agriculture. The objectives of this paper were to: (1) quantify relationships between gel area density (mass per unit area) on a surface and its luminance, and (2) identify factors important in measuring Glo Germ gel transfer from one surface to another. Varying densities of Glo Germ gel were applied to paper, plastic, and rubber surfaces; each combination was replicated three times. Digital images collected over one hour were analyzed for luminance (the average gray value per unit area) under ultraviolet light. Changes in mass were also measured. For the gel transfer objective, a fixed weight was placed over varying wet and dried fluorescent material densities on paper and plastic surfaces. Gel masses were weighed, and images of the surface and receptor were taken before and after transfer. Evaporation was significantly faster (p =  0.0019) on the paper surface compared to the plastic surface. The luminance did not change as the gel evaporated from either surface. For each material, luminance initially increased with increasing density until a threshold, after which additional fluorescing gel density did not change luminance. The thresholds for paper, plastic, and rubber surfaces were 0.018, 0.014, and 0.041 g cm-2, respectively. Wet gel transfer test results suggest that transfer is easier to quantify on the receptor than the source. The dried gel did not exhibit measurable transfer. This research found limitations in equating mass transfer and luminance, but luminance threshold values can inform maximum Glo Germ application for imaging purposes. These research results support continued research and outreach with fluorescent material to reduce and prevent the spread of disease or other harmful contaminants in food and animal production.

Highlights: Neck and shoulder discomfort found to be most prevalent in veterinary technicians. REBA posture analysis identifies areas of significant risk and provides a benchmark for improvements. Patient restraint and handling put veterinary technicians at significant risk for musculoskeletal disorders. Continuous improvement through the implementation of engineering and administrative controls is mandatory.

Abstract: Research addressing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among veterinary technicians is limited. Veterinary technicians are exposed to several activities that require lifting and the adoption of non-neutral postures associated with WMSDs. It is essential to design interventions aimed at reducing WMSDs in this population. The goal of this study was to identify typical, prevalent work tasks that pose high ergonomic risk factors to veterinary technicians, as well as to determine the WMSD risk associated with the work tasks identified in order to implement interventions. A small-animal veterinary clinic in central Wisconsin was contacted for this study. Nine veterinary technicians and assistants participated in assessing musculoskeletal symptoms and identifying tasks with ergonomic risk factors. The tasks with a high count of risk factors were evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). All participants in this study experienced musculoskeletal discomfort in five or more body regions. They also reported being unable to perform work over the last 12 months due to WMSDs on shoulders, ankles, and feet (33%, n=3), neck and lower back (22%, n=2), and wrists, hands, hips, thighs, and knees 11% (n=1). One of the respondents reported no discomfort over the last seven days, while eight of them indicated discomfort in three or more body areas. Restraining and handling animals, sedation and recovery, and dental procedures were chosen for REBA analysis. Restraining and handling animals had a high-risk REBA score (ranging from 8 to 10). Sedation and recovery had a low to medium-risk REBA score (ranging from 3 to 5). Dental procedure recovery had a low to very high-risk REBA score (ranging from 2 to 11). Our findings suggest that most veterinary technicians come to work experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort and are exposed to significant WMSD risk levels when performing common tasks. This job assessment allows us to recommend administrative and engineering controls to reduce the risk of WMSDs associated with high-risk tasks.

Highlights: This paper details an evaluation of a piloted community-based farmer suicide prevention training program using a revised Willingness to Intervene Against Suicide Questionnaire. Indicating program utility and impact, willingness to intervene with a person in crisis increased by 0.21 logits (p<0.01) in program participants who completed pre- and post-training surveys. A comparison of growth in the willingness to intervene variable across participant demographics and characteristics revealed a change of 0.43 logits among males, compared to 0.096 for females (p=0.059). Researchers recommend that the program be tailored to consider gender differences.

Abstract: In this study, researchers detail an evaluation of a pilot community-based farmer suicide prevention program that used QPR-based training customized for the agricultural community. Community-based mental health programs have been cited as key to addressing the worldwide suicide rate, but evidence of their execution and utility is not well documented, particularly within the agricultural community context. Researchers used Kirkpatrick's (1998) training evaluation model and a pre-post one-group design (Eseryel, 2002) of consenting training participants to conduct a preliminary assessment of programmatic impact. Using a revised Willingness to Intervene Against Suicide Questionnaire (Aldrich et al., 2014), which treated the questionnaire as an interval level scale suitable for parametric analysis, researchers found statistically significant differences in pre-training willingness to intervene between male and female respondents as well as those who work in agriculture and those who do not. An analysis of those respondents who completed both pre- and post-training surveys indicated statistically significant growth of 0.21 logits in the willingness to intervene variable, as well as remarkable growth for male participants in comparison to female participants.

Highlights: Operators reporting stress had 1.9 times as many injuries per year compared to those who did not report stress. Stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue showed a similar positive association with injuries. Hearing loss and exposure to animal and/or chemical-based allergens were also risk factors for injury. Musculoskeletal pain/discomfort was strongly associated with injuries, making it a potential risk factor or a consequence.

Abstract: This study evaluated the association of self-reported occupational stress and injury among farm and ranch operators in the central United States. Randomly sampled operators received mail surveys with questions related to injuries, chronic health conditions, work exposures, and preventive measures in 2018 and 2020. Injury risk factors were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis. Out of 6,744 participants, 836 (12%) reported at least one injury in the past 12 months and 1,766 (26%) reported work-related stress. The percentage of those reporting stress was 24% among those with no injuries, 36% among those with one injury, and 66% among those with two or more injuries. Similar percentages across the three injury categories were found for sleep deprivation (21%, 30%, and 51%) and fatigue (25%, 39%, and 66%). A high perceived stress level was a risk factor for injury in the final adjusted model (adjusted Rate Ratio (aRR): 1.93, 95% CI: 1.65 to 2.25) when controlling for hearing loss (aRR: 1.25, CI: 1.25 to 1.75) and exposure to animal and/or chemical based allergens (aRR: 1.49, CI: 1.17 to 1.91). With musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) in the model, the association of stress and injuries was attenuated (aRR: 1.54, CI: 1.32 to 1.79) while MSS had a strong association with injuries (aRR: 3.79, CI: 3.00 to 4.78). Stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue were associated with injuries in a dose-response manner. Preventing injuries among farmers and ranchers requires a focus on stress reduction and related health conditions.

Highlights: There is a concern that agricultural producers could be misusing opioids to cope with stress and injuries. Focus groups were held in Mississippi to determine perceptions of opioid misuse in the agricultural community. Results found that alcohol misuse, not opioid misuse, is an issue for Mississippi agricultural producers. Focus group participants believe that other groups in their communities have issues with opioid misuse.

Abstract: Opioid misuse has been identified as a concern among the farming community. The aim of this study is to identify how opioid misuse is perceived in agricultural communities across the state of Mississippi. A series of focus groups were conducted with University Agricultural and Natural Resource Extension agents and agricultural producers in Mississippi between November 2020 and February 2021. Focus group transcripts were analyzed through thematic analysis. Both university Extension agents and agriculture producers believe that opioid misuse is more of a concern in the greater rural community, amongst younger individuals, as opposed to being a concern for producers themselves. Extension agents stated that the unique personalities of agricultural producers might prevent them from being upfront about any of their opioid misuse. Agricultural producers stated that alcohol misuse is more of a concern among their peers than opioid misuse and that opioid misuse is present in farm labor. Generally, the focus groups revealed that participants did not think that opioid misuse was an issue for agricultural producers in Mississippi. However, participants identified other groups in their communities as having issues with opioids. The private nature of agricultural producers could be a reason why opioid misuse is not perceived to be widespread in that group. Alcohol misuse was observed as an issue for agricultural producers in the producer focus groups.

Highlights: Two herds of cattle at a university teaching farm had plastic fibers in their fecal matter. The source was confirmed to be mineral supplements. When consumed, supplements caused some degradation or fragmentation of plastics.

Abstract: Plastic products are a ubiquitous part of contemporary consumer products and can contain chemicals like plasticizers, colorings, flame retardants, and antimicrobials. When eaten, these substances can leech from plastics during digestion, and consequently, impact the health of the organisms that consume them. Here, we document plastic contaminants in the form of microfibers (0.5 to 15 mm), that we detected in the fecal matter of two herds of cattle on a college campus. Plastic incidence was similar (41%) for both herds, with a mean of 1 polyethylene microfiber occurring in every 2 g of feces. We confirmed the source of these plastic fibers was the mineral supplements that the cattle have access to year-round and detected the particles in two independent sources of mineral supplements. Despite minor visual changes in the plastic fibers (dulling of the surface) after being exposed to the digestive system of the cows, we were able to chemically confirm (using infrared spectroscopy) that the plastic found in the feces and mineral supplements were identical. To quantify degradation of consumed plastic particles, we performed a digestion study of plastics of similar composition (nylon used to tie square hay bales and polyethylene used to wrap round/rolled bales - not microplastics) used in the farm operations of the university. Following a 54-day exposure to the digestive system of a cannulated bull, we found that the weight of plastics did not change, but significant fragmentation (fraying) occurred. While the physiological consequences of microplastic degradation and potential inclusion among gut tissues are largely unknown, increased surface areas of microplastics from fraying and the leeching of toxic compounds accumulated over long periods of time should be considered as they could influence the safety of beef and dairy products intended for human consumption.

Highlights: Hazard exposure is not enough to catalyze adoption of grain bin temperature probes. Perceived ease of use significantly influenced farm technology adoption among Texas farmers. Demonstrated that low barriers to access and configuration into current farm operations will increase adoption of life-saving technologies.

Abstract: This research aimed to understand the profile of temperature probe adopters as compared to non-adopters in the context of preventing grain bin deaths. Our analysis is based on a unique data set obtained from a survey of 54 farmers from Texas. The survey was built using the TAM2 model as a foundation. We employed standard regression models to identify factors that contributed to the adoption of temperature probes among other technologies. We found that hazard exposure was not a predictor for temperature probe adoption. Network relationships also did not significantly influence adoption. Technology adoption was predicted by six perceptions: subjective norms, image (status), quality of the technology, access to the technology, access to information about the technology, and compatibility. The findings of this study suggest that instead of the current safety advice used to convince farmers to use grain bin probes, stakeholders should inform them about the direct positive results of using the probes. Current campaigns against grain bin entrapment should emphasize through demonstration the benefits of grain bin probes on stored grain products. Although extension and private offices may not directly impact the final decision making, they should seriously consider expending the effort to lower the barrier to access to positively influence the adoption rate.

Highlights: Different approaches used to handle out-of-condition grain can be split into three broad categories: outfitting, outside, and inside the bin. A total of 21 strategies to handle out-of-condition grain are documented in this article. Outside the bin strategies are split into four categories: grain handling solutions, rodding, force-based solutions, and alternate grain extraction methods.

Abstract: Grain entrapments remain a major concern in the grain storage and handling industry. Even with the adoption of safer technology, enhanced enforcement of OSHA regulations, and considerable investment in training and outreach efforts, grain entrapments continue to occur in significant numbers. The most significant contributing factor to grain entrapment is the presence of out-of-condition grain. A better understanding of existing strategies employed to remove out-of-condition grain from storage is important to provide evidence-based solutions to reduce the perceived need to enter grain storage structures and the grain entrapment associated with this activity. A review of existing strategies for handling out-of-condition grain used previously by farmers and workers with experience in grain storage facilities was conducted. Training programs, extension resources, and published research were reviewed to document existing strategies to remove out-of-condition grain. These strategies were split into three broad categories: outfitting the bin, outside of the bin, and inside the bin. A total of 21 strategies were documented. Each of the strategies was defined and, where possible, the risks and benefits were discussed. The study highlights the importance of researching the safety and effectiveness of each of these strategies in various out-of-condition grain situations and the lack of available knowledge of the effectiveness of each strategy.