Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2024-05-04DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2349022
Elizabeth Mizelle, Lori A Modly, Daniel J Smith
Objective: To improve water access while working and contribute to fewer heat-related illnesses (HRI), backpack hydration systems were provided to over 200 farmworkers to use during the 2022 growing season. Acceptability of the water intake intervention was assessed among farmworkers in eastern North Carolina, USA.
Methods: With a pre-established community-university partnership, the acceptability of the intervention was assessed using a cross-sectional survey. The backpack brand selected included a 3-liter water bladder and attached drinking hose. Data analysis included descriptive and correlation statistics.
Results: Among 47 male, migrant farmworkers, most (90%) reported the hydration backpack to be acceptable or completely acceptable to workplace fluid intake. Most (53%) reported using the backpack some of the time, compared to 28% who used it often. The participants reported an average of 4.8 (SD 2.2) liters of water intake from the backpack on a typical workday. Most reported the backpack improved the quantity and frequency of their water consumption.
Conclusion: This study was an important first step in implementation of hydration backpack systems as an HRI-preventative intervention among farmworkers. Future interventional studies could assess the efficacy of the backpacks on health outcomes, including incidence of dehydration and symptoms of HRI.
{"title":"Farmworker Acceptability of Backpack Hydration Systems.","authors":"Elizabeth Mizelle, Lori A Modly, Daniel J Smith","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2349022","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2349022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To improve water access while working and contribute to fewer heat-related illnesses (HRI), backpack hydration systems were provided to over 200 farmworkers to use during the 2022 growing season. Acceptability of the water intake intervention was assessed among farmworkers in eastern North Carolina, USA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>With a pre-established community-university partnership, the acceptability of the intervention was assessed using a cross-sectional survey. The backpack brand selected included a 3-liter water bladder and attached drinking hose. Data analysis included descriptive and correlation statistics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 47 male, migrant farmworkers, most (90%) reported the hydration backpack to be acceptable or completely acceptable to workplace fluid intake. Most (53%) reported using the backpack some of the time, compared to 28% who used it often. The participants reported an average of 4.8 (SD 2.2) liters of water intake from the backpack on a typical workday. Most reported the backpack improved the quantity and frequency of their water consumption.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study was an important first step in implementation of hydration backpack systems as an HRI-preventative intervention among farmworkers. Future interventional studies could assess the efficacy of the backpacks on health outcomes, including incidence of dehydration and symptoms of HRI.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11160487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140854259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2024-01-23DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2306835
Kelly Elizabeth Schenk, K Cornille, J Cater, A R Vieira, S Holzbauer, M Bye, J Scheftel
In July 2023, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was notified of possible occupational exposures to anthrax during an outbreak in animals. In consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MDH epidemiologists created a questionnaire that assessed exposure risks and helped determine individual illness monitoring and antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis needs. This investigation and the resources developed for it could be useful in future scenarios where there are occupational exposures to naturally occurring anthrax.
{"title":"Outbreak of Anthrax in Livestock with Human Occupational Exposures - Minnesota, 2023.","authors":"Kelly Elizabeth Schenk, K Cornille, J Cater, A R Vieira, S Holzbauer, M Bye, J Scheftel","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2306835","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2306835","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In July 2023, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was notified of possible occupational exposures to anthrax during an outbreak in animals. In consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MDH epidemiologists created a questionnaire that assessed exposure risks and helped determine individual illness monitoring and antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis needs. This investigation and the resources developed for it could be useful in future scenarios where there are occupational exposures to naturally occurring anthrax.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11127779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139543484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2024-01-29DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2307483
Carly Hyland, Lisa Meierotto, Rebecca L Som Castellano, Cynthia L Curl
Introduction: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Worker Protection Standards is the primary set of legislation aimed at protecting farmworkers from occupational pesticide exposure in the United States. Previous studies suggest that worker adoption of Pesticide Protective Behaviors (PPBs) promoted by WPS is associated with lower urinary pesticide concentrations. However, adoption of PPBs is often outside of the control of individual farmworkers and dependent on workplace factors such as employer provisioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to trainings/resources.
Methods: We conducted a mixed-method study including urinary pesticide biomonitoring, surveys, and interviews with 62 Latinx farmworkers in southwestern Idaho from April to July 2022. We integrated findings across the various data sources to identify emergent themes relating to farmworkers' perceptions of workplace compliance with WPS and potential implications for their pesticide risk perceptions, protective behaviors, and urinary pesticide concentrations.
Results: Participants reported some indications of poor workplace compliance with WPS regulations, notably inconsistent access to clean handwashing stations and notification of pesticide applications. Some farmworkers, particularly pesticide applicators, viewed herbicides to be categorically safer than other classes of pesticides such as insecticides; these perceptions appeared to influence protective behaviors, such as the relatively low use of PPE while applying herbicides. These findings are underscored by the higher concentrations of biomarkers of herbicides, but not insecticides, among pesticide applicators compared with non-applicators (e.g. median 2,4-D concentrations = 1.40 µg/L among applicators and 0.69 µg/L among non-applicators). Participants further reported concerns regarding the inadequacy of pesticide safety training, pesticide drift, and the lack of communication regarding pesticide applications on and near fields where they are working.
Discussion: Participants' perceptions that herbicides are categorically safer than other pesticide classes is in direct conflict with WPS training, raising concerns about discrepancies between WPS instruction and other on-the-job training, as well as the inadequate provisioning of PPE during the application of certain pesticides. Our findings also suggest that current WPS regulations may not sufficiently address farmworkers' concerns, particularly in regard to pesticide drift.
{"title":"Mixed-Methods Assessment of Farmworkers' Perceptions of Workplace Compliance with Worker Protection Standards and Implications for Risk Perceptions and Protective Behaviors.","authors":"Carly Hyland, Lisa Meierotto, Rebecca L Som Castellano, Cynthia L Curl","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2307483","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2307483","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Worker Protection Standards is the primary set of legislation aimed at protecting farmworkers from occupational pesticide exposure in the United States. Previous studies suggest that worker adoption of Pesticide Protective Behaviors (PPBs) promoted by WPS is associated with lower urinary pesticide concentrations. However, adoption of PPBs is often outside of the control of individual farmworkers and dependent on workplace factors such as employer provisioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and access to trainings/resources.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a mixed-method study including urinary pesticide biomonitoring, surveys, and interviews with 62 Latinx farmworkers in southwestern Idaho from April to July 2022. We integrated findings across the various data sources to identify emergent themes relating to farmworkers' perceptions of workplace compliance with WPS and potential implications for their pesticide risk perceptions, protective behaviors, and urinary pesticide concentrations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants reported some indications of poor workplace compliance with WPS regulations, notably inconsistent access to clean handwashing stations and notification of pesticide applications. Some farmworkers, particularly pesticide applicators, viewed herbicides to be categorically safer than other classes of pesticides such as insecticides; these perceptions appeared to influence protective behaviors, such as the relatively low use of PPE while applying herbicides. These findings are underscored by the higher concentrations of biomarkers of herbicides, but not insecticides, among pesticide applicators compared with non-applicators (e.g. median 2,4-D concentrations = 1.40 µg/L among applicators and 0.69 µg/L among non-applicators). Participants further reported concerns regarding the inadequacy of pesticide safety training, pesticide drift, and the lack of communication regarding pesticide applications on and near fields where they are working.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Participants' perceptions that herbicides are categorically safer than other pesticide classes is in direct conflict with WPS training, raising concerns about discrepancies between WPS instruction and other on-the-job training, as well as the inadequate provisioning of PPE during the application of certain pesticides. Our findings also suggest that current WPS regulations may not sufficiently address farmworkers' concerns, particularly in regard to pesticide drift.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139571754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2024-01-12DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2304197
Dhananjayan Venugopal, Ravichandran B, Panjakumar K, Mala A, Gopalakrishnan A, Jayaraman S, Rajeev Ky, Arun S
Objectives: This study evaluated the occupational injuries and health hazards associated with fishing as an occupation among non-traditional rural tribal fishing communities in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 170 individuals belonging to a fishing community, comprising both male (n = 82) and female (n = 88) participants. The demographic details including occupational history, lifestyle characteristics, socio-economic status, personal habits, and health status were assessed through the questionnaire survey.
Results: The fishing community has a low socioeconomic status and poor literacy, lifestyle, and personal habits. The mean age of the participants was 38.8 yrs (male 34.8; female 39.9 yrs). Only 10% reported usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the work duration varied from 8 to 24 hrs in a day. While male subjects reported smoking habits (12%) and alcohol consumption (23%), none of the females reported alcohol consumption and smoking habits. The major occupational injuries that occurred were due to catfish (72%) and oysters (48%). A large number of female subjects reported musculoskeletal pains. The body mass index of about 28% of fishermen was above the normal range. Abnormal blood sugar, blood pressure, and respiratory and neurological symptoms were the other major health complaints. The major environmental hazards reported were salinity, solar radiation, tides, and high wind.
Conclusion: Injuries from handling fish and oysters were observed to be the major occupational burden. Additonally, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic health illness was commonly observed among the fishers. Adequate training and awareness programs are required for effective management of occupational health hazards and health promotion.
{"title":"Occupational Injuries and Health Status Among Rural Tribal Non-Traditional Fishing Communities in the Coastal Region of Tamil Nadu, India.","authors":"Dhananjayan Venugopal, Ravichandran B, Panjakumar K, Mala A, Gopalakrishnan A, Jayaraman S, Rajeev Ky, Arun S","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2304197","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2304197","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study evaluated the occupational injuries and health hazards associated with fishing as an occupation among non-traditional rural tribal fishing communities in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included a total of 170 individuals belonging to a fishing community, comprising both male (<i>n</i> = 82) and female (<i>n</i> = 88) participants. The demographic details including occupational history, lifestyle characteristics, socio-economic status, personal habits, and health status were assessed through the questionnaire survey.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The fishing community has a low socioeconomic status and poor literacy, lifestyle, and personal habits. The mean age of the participants was 38.8 yrs (male 34.8; female 39.9 yrs). Only 10% reported usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the work duration varied from 8 to 24 hrs in a day. While male subjects reported smoking habits (12%) and alcohol consumption (23%), none of the females reported alcohol consumption and smoking habits. The major occupational injuries that occurred were due to catfish (72%) and oysters (48%). A large number of female subjects reported musculoskeletal pains. The body mass index of about 28% of fishermen was above the normal range. Abnormal blood sugar, blood pressure, and respiratory and neurological symptoms were the other major health complaints. The major environmental hazards reported were salinity, solar radiation, tides, and high wind.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Injuries from handling fish and oysters were observed to be the major occupational burden. Additonally, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic health illness was commonly observed among the fishers. Adequate training and awareness programs are required for effective management of occupational health hazards and health promotion.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139425825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2024-01-24DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2307475
M Susan Jones, Ann K Ferrell, Catherine Malin, Dawn Garett-Wright, Ginny Willoughby
Objectives: To address the perception among farmers of lack of appreciation and being devalued by the non-farming public.
Methods: Oral history interviews were conducted to gather farmers' viewpoints of what the non-farming public needs to know about their occupation.
Results: The creation of a public awareness campaign utilizing interview data, including canvas bags, information cards, and a website.
Conclusion: The public awareness campaign provides the non-farming public with opportunities to learn about the lives of farmers and their contributions to society.
{"title":"Promoting Farmer Appreciation in Kentucky through a Farmer Cultural Awareness Project.","authors":"M Susan Jones, Ann K Ferrell, Catherine Malin, Dawn Garett-Wright, Ginny Willoughby","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2307475","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2307475","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To address the perception among farmers of lack of appreciation and being devalued by the non-farming public.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Oral history interviews were conducted to gather farmers' viewpoints of what the non-farming public needs to know about their occupation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The creation of a public awareness campaign utilizing interview data, including canvas bags, information cards, and a website.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The public awareness campaign provides the non-farming public with opportunities to learn about the lives of farmers and their contributions to society.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139541311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-12-28DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2023.2299378
Molly Parker, Mary Jo Ybarra-Vega, Julie Postma
Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of agricultural workers during periods of heat and wildfire smoke exposure and to support the development and implementation of protective workplace interventions.
Methods: Using community-engaged research and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) framework for policy evaluation, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted with current and former agricultural workers in Central Washington (WA). Twelve participants answered semi-structured questions via interviews or by attending a focus group. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in Spanish, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English; one interview was conducted in English.
Results: Using Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis, five themes were identified among workers from various worksites: 1) Extreme weather and working conditions are becoming increasingly hazardous to worker health, 2) Employers and supervisors lack training and education on current labor laws, and health and safety rules, 3) Employers and supervisors use intimidation and retaliation to ensure productivity and to evoke feelings of replaceability among workers, 4) Workers do not trust regulatory agencies to enforce rules or hold employers accountable, 5) Solutions to climate-driven problems in the agricultural industry need to value worker health and safety, not just productivity. Participants reported experiencing adverse health symptoms related to heat and smoke exposure at work. Workers proposed solutions including improving education, training, and communication, and increased enforcement of existing and forthcoming occupational health and safety rules.
Conclusion: The agricultural workforce is essential for ensuring a robust food supply and is facing extreme weather events due to climate change. Western states impacted by wildfires and heat are working to develop and implement occupational health and safety rules. Developing effective policies and interventions inclusive of worker perspectives is critical to adapt to a changing climate, retain a stable workforce and promote optimal health.
{"title":"Agricultural Worker Perspectives on Climate Hazards and Risk Reduction Strategies.","authors":"Molly Parker, Mary Jo Ybarra-Vega, Julie Postma","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2023.2299378","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2023.2299378","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of agricultural workers during periods of heat and wildfire smoke exposure and to support the development and implementation of protective workplace interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using community-engaged research and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) framework for policy evaluation, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted with current and former agricultural workers in Central Washington (WA). Twelve participants answered semi-structured questions via interviews or by attending a focus group. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in Spanish, recorded, transcribed, and translated into English; one interview was conducted in English.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Using Braun and Clarke's Reflexive Thematic Analysis, five themes were identified among workers from various worksites: 1) Extreme weather and working conditions are becoming increasingly hazardous to worker health, 2) Employers and supervisors lack training and education on current labor laws, and health and safety rules, 3) Employers and supervisors use intimidation and retaliation to ensure productivity and to evoke feelings of replaceability among workers, 4) Workers do not trust regulatory agencies to enforce rules or hold employers accountable, 5) Solutions to climate-driven problems in the agricultural industry need to value worker health and safety, not just productivity. Participants reported experiencing adverse health symptoms related to heat and smoke exposure at work. Workers proposed solutions including improving education, training, and communication, and increased enforcement of existing and forthcoming occupational health and safety rules.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The agricultural workforce is essential for ensuring a robust food supply and is facing extreme weather events due to climate change. Western states impacted by wildfires and heat are working to develop and implement occupational health and safety rules. Developing effective policies and interventions inclusive of worker perspectives is critical to adapt to a changing climate, retain a stable workforce and promote optimal health.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139049634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-01Epub Date: 2023-12-21DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2023.2296665
Linda Fetzer, Pauline Boyer, Liane Hirabayashi
Land grant universities in the Northeast (e.g. Delaware, Maryland, New York) have seen changes in their faculty or Extension level positions: Agricultural safety specialist positions have been left vacant or have been merged with another position with other responsibilities, which reduces the amount of time available to address safety. In response to the resulting support gap, Penn State Ag Safety and Health and the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) launched the Northeast Agricultural Safety and Health Coalition (NEASHC) in 2014. NEASHC provides extension staff and other individuals interested in safety trainings (e.g. insurers, Farm Bureau staff) with opportunities to network and learn about best practices in agricultural health and safety training. Recognizing the importance of NEASHC's role in filling this service gap in the Northeast, the NEC included support for NEASHC in its last 5-year grant cycle (2016-2022) and has continued its support for the Coalition in their current five-year center grant (2022-2027). The NEC center grant is funded by National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Grant #2 U54OH007542. NEASHC is an important component of the NEC's unified approach to worker health and safety, which is based in part on G. Sorensen's conceptual model for integrated approaches to the protection and promotion of worker safety.1 The goals for NEASHC through 2027 are as follows: expand the Coalition's reach by adding states and members; provide professional development to members; (3) offer mini-grants for outreach projects and activities; (4) develop and disseminate new resources; and (5) provide occupational safety and health (OSH) updates for agricultural populations.
{"title":"Building Capacity Through the Northeast Agricultural Safety and Health Coalition.","authors":"Linda Fetzer, Pauline Boyer, Liane Hirabayashi","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2023.2296665","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2023.2296665","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Land grant universities in the Northeast (e.g. Delaware, Maryland, New York) have seen changes in their faculty or Extension level positions: Agricultural safety specialist positions have been left vacant or have been merged with another position with other responsibilities, which reduces the amount of time available to address safety. In response to the resulting support gap, Penn State Ag Safety and Health and the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC) launched the Northeast Agricultural Safety and Health Coalition (NEASHC) in 2014. NEASHC provides extension staff and other individuals interested in safety trainings (e.g. insurers, Farm Bureau staff) with opportunities to network and learn about best practices in agricultural health and safety training. Recognizing the importance of NEASHC's role in filling this service gap in the Northeast, the NEC included support for NEASHC in its last 5-year grant cycle (2016-2022) and has continued its support for the Coalition in their current five-year center grant (2022-2027). The NEC center grant is funded by National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) Grant #2 U54OH007542. NEASHC is an important component of the NEC's unified approach to worker health and safety, which is based in part on G. Sorensen's conceptual model for integrated approaches to the protection and promotion of worker safety.<sup>1</sup> The goals for NEASHC through 2027 are as follows: expand the Coalition's reach by adding states and members; provide professional development to members; (3) offer mini-grants for outreach projects and activities; (4) develop and disseminate new resources; and (5) provide occupational safety and health (OSH) updates for agricultural populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138832589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-23DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2337679
Melissa A Rudolph, Shawn G Ehlers, Glen C Morris
Given the high variability of secondary agricultural teacher background and facility constraints, the instruction of tractor (and similar agricultural machinery) component identification, function, maintenance, and corresponding safety precautions oftentimes prove difficult and/or inconsistent. This study focused on the development and plausible application of quick response codes, commonly referred to as QR codes, placed on a demonstration tractor or machine to be used as a self-guided student learning experience for training the next generation of safe operators. This review documents a novel self-guided instruction methodology utilizing "gamification" learning theory. Content materials were derived from the nationally disseminated, open source, Gearing Up for Safety Production Agriculture Safety Training for Youth curriculum. Specifically, QR code learning modules were recommended to supplement Gearing Up for Safety, Lesson 16: Hands-On Tractor Operation of the youth worker certification component of the Pre-Operational Skills Exam.
由于中学农业教师的背景和设施限制存在很大差异,拖拉机(和类似的农业机械)部件识别、功能、维护和相应的安全预防措施的指导往往被证明是困难的和/或不一致的。本研究的重点是快速反应代码(通常称为 QR 码)的开发和合理应用,将其放置在示范拖拉机或机器上,作为培训下一代安全操作员的学生自导学习体验。本综述记录了一种利用 "游戏化 "学习理论的新型自导式教学方法。内容材料来源于在全国范围内传播的开源 "为安全生产做好准备 "青少年农业安全培训课程。具体而言,推荐使用 QR 码学习模块来补充 "Gearing Up for Safety "第 16 课:青年工人操作前技能考试认证部分的 "拖拉机实际操作"。
{"title":"Development of Quick Response (QR) Training of Tractor Component Identification, Function, Maintenance, and Safety.","authors":"Melissa A Rudolph, Shawn G Ehlers, Glen C Morris","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2337679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2024.2337679","url":null,"abstract":"Given the high variability of secondary agricultural teacher background and facility constraints, the instruction of tractor (and similar agricultural machinery) component identification, function, maintenance, and corresponding safety precautions oftentimes prove difficult and/or inconsistent. This study focused on the development and plausible application of quick response codes, commonly referred to as QR codes, placed on a demonstration tractor or machine to be used as a self-guided student learning experience for training the next generation of safe operators. This review documents a novel self-guided instruction methodology utilizing \"gamification\" learning theory. Content materials were derived from the nationally disseminated, open source, Gearing Up for Safety Production Agriculture Safety Training for Youth curriculum. Specifically, QR code learning modules were recommended to supplement Gearing Up for Safety, Lesson 16: Hands-On Tractor Operation of the youth worker certification component of the Pre-Operational Skills Exam.","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140670730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-23DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2024.2341803
Lisbeth Iglesias-Rios, Alexa Kort, A. Handal
OBJECTIVES Farmworkers in Michigan face precarious and exploitative labor conditions that affect their access to affordable, fair, and quality housing, which are key social determinants of health. We sought to assess the health, working conditions, and housing access, affordability, and quality of farmworkers living in and outside of employer-provided housing during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods cross-sectional study in collaboration with community partners from the Michigan Farmworker Project and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. We assessed housing, labor conditions, and general health through in-depth phone interviews with seasonal, migrant, and H-2A farmworkers (n = 63) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) in Michigan. Descriptive analyses of these data included comparisons by type of farmworker and type of housing (employer-provided or other). RESULTS The majority of farmworkers interviewed were women and seasonal farmworkers and spoke primarily Spanish. A significant share of farmworker participants reported living in poverty (38.3%) and had low or very low food security (27.0%). Nearly half of farmworkers (47.6%) rated their health as "fair" or "poor" during the year prior to the interview, and more than a third reported 3 or more chronic conditions (39.6%) and lack of health insurance coverage (38.7%). Among the 43 workers tested, 25.6% reported testing positive for COVID-19. Farmworkers reported experiences of objectification and dehumanization. Three-quarters of workers reported feeling that they were treated as less than human by supervisors and one-third reported verbal abuse. Farmworkers also experienced challenges exacerbated by their social vulnerability that impeded them from finding affordable, quality housing. Regarding housing quality, the majority of workers (80.6%) reported one or more environmental hazards around their residence, and about a third reported not having air conditioning (33.%) and lacking a functioning washing machine (33.9%). Concerns about the quality of drinking water accessible to workers and exposure to chemicals were shared by participants. CONCLUSION This study adds valuable knowledge to the understanding of the systemic barriers to housing and work conditions for female and male seasonal, migrant, and H-2A farmworkers in Michigan. Shortcomings in the regulatory and policy environment result in precarious housing and work conditions, including exploitative labor practices. These conditions negate equality, fairness, and health equity, important tenants for public health.
{"title":"Precarious Work and Housing for Michigan Farmworkers During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.","authors":"Lisbeth Iglesias-Rios, Alexa Kort, A. Handal","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2024.2341803","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2024.2341803","url":null,"abstract":"OBJECTIVES\u0000Farmworkers in Michigan face precarious and exploitative labor conditions that affect their access to affordable, fair, and quality housing, which are key social determinants of health. We sought to assess the health, working conditions, and housing access, affordability, and quality of farmworkers living in and outside of employer-provided housing during the COVID-19 pandemic.\u0000\u0000\u0000METHODS\u0000We conducted a mixed methods cross-sectional study in collaboration with community partners from the Michigan Farmworker Project and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. We assessed housing, labor conditions, and general health through in-depth phone interviews with seasonal, migrant, and H-2A farmworkers (n = 63) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) in Michigan. Descriptive analyses of these data included comparisons by type of farmworker and type of housing (employer-provided or other).\u0000\u0000\u0000RESULTS\u0000The majority of farmworkers interviewed were women and seasonal farmworkers and spoke primarily Spanish. A significant share of farmworker participants reported living in poverty (38.3%) and had low or very low food security (27.0%). Nearly half of farmworkers (47.6%) rated their health as \"fair\" or \"poor\" during the year prior to the interview, and more than a third reported 3 or more chronic conditions (39.6%) and lack of health insurance coverage (38.7%). Among the 43 workers tested, 25.6% reported testing positive for COVID-19. Farmworkers reported experiences of objectification and dehumanization. Three-quarters of workers reported feeling that they were treated as less than human by supervisors and one-third reported verbal abuse. Farmworkers also experienced challenges exacerbated by their social vulnerability that impeded them from finding affordable, quality housing. Regarding housing quality, the majority of workers (80.6%) reported one or more environmental hazards around their residence, and about a third reported not having air conditioning (33.%) and lacking a functioning washing machine (33.9%). Concerns about the quality of drinking water accessible to workers and exposure to chemicals were shared by participants.\u0000\u0000\u0000CONCLUSION\u0000This study adds valuable knowledge to the understanding of the systemic barriers to housing and work conditions for female and male seasonal, migrant, and H-2A farmworkers in Michigan. Shortcomings in the regulatory and policy environment result in precarious housing and work conditions, including exploitative labor practices. These conditions negate equality, fairness, and health equity, important tenants for public health.","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140666323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-21DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2024.2338857
Francisco Alfredo Reyes Rocha, Kathleen Sexsmith
Workplace sexual harassment (WSH) is a systemic problem in agricultural employment. In the United States, where most research on the topic has been conducted, studies have suggested the rate of WSH...
{"title":"Workplace Sexual Harassment in Waged Agricultural Employment: A Literature Review","authors":"Francisco Alfredo Reyes Rocha, Kathleen Sexsmith","doi":"10.1080/1059924x.2024.2338857","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924x.2024.2338857","url":null,"abstract":"Workplace sexual harassment (WSH) is a systemic problem in agricultural employment. In the United States, where most research on the topic has been conducted, studies have suggested the rate of WSH...","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140634762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}