Assessing Youth Safety Knowledge through the Agriculture Experience Tracker (AET).

The purpose of this study was to assess high school agricultural education youth safety knowledge. The target population consisted of high school agricultural education youth, ages 14-19 years, who were enrolled in School Based Agricultural Education programs that utilized the AET agricultural safety exam feature between the dates of May 2019 and June 2020 (N=1478). The safety knowledge questions were randomly generated from the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program instructor curriculum resources. The exam consisted of 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions with one point being awarded for each correct answer and covered topics such as safety basics, agricultural hazards, tractors, connecting and using implements with tractors and materials handling. The majority of respondents were male (n = 865, 58.5%); and in eleventh grade, twelve grade, or beyond high school (33.8%, 34.3%, and 22.9% respectively). Most respondents indicated they were from a rural area (52.5%), and most had not received formal safety training (74.4%). Test scores for the 1478 respondents ranged from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of 98. Within each independent variable, test scores averaged in the low 60's with the exception of test scores from students in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade which averaged 78, 46, and 56 respectively. Research and continuous education are needed to influence the behaviors of young workers in agricultural settings.

Effectiveness of Utilizing an Evidence Based Safety Curriculum to Increase Student Knowledge.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of utilizing an evidence based, "Train the Trainer" approach to increase the safety knowledge and awareness of secondary students. Participating teachers attended a 10-hour, inquiry-based summer training workshop utilizing National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operations Program (NSTMOP) materials focusing on roll-over protection structures, mini-tilt table construction, and on-farm tractor risk assessments. Teachers incorporated workshop lessons into existing curricula. Students completed pretests prior to instruction and posttests after instructional units were delivered. A total of 118 students provided completed pre- and posttests, with most students identifying as male and more than half enrolled in ninth grade. Wilcoxon Sign-Rank test showed students' posttests were statistically significantly (Z =-5.22, p < .001) higher than pre-tests. Student performance in this study suggests the Fair Labor Standards Act exemption provided for youth between the ages of 14 and 15 years old who have completed specific safety training needs to be revisited. Additionally, increasing the age restriction for hazardous occupations in agriculture would be consistent with other industries. In order for students to learn agricultural safety in the classroom setting, teachers participating in this study may consider preparation and continuing education programs that incorporate more production-based experiences focused on safety.

Assessment of Musculoskeletal Injuries Associated with Palpation, Infection Control Practices, and Zoonotic Disease Risks among Utah Clinical Veterinarians.

OBJECTIVES: Practicing veterinarians are exposed to unique occupational hazards and zoonotic diseases. National studies have highlighted an increase risk to injuries and 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. METHODS: A total sample of 809 Utah veterinarians were identified from the 2017 licensure listing provided by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. These individuals were invited to participate in an internet-based survey to self-report musculoskeletal injuries associated with large animal palpation practices. The relationships between some variables and Precaution awareness (PA) score rankings were examined using logistic regression and odds ratios. RESULTS: Of 809 veterinarians, 223 (28%) responded, with 209 self-identifying as clinical veterinarians. Frequent palpation of large animals (equine or bovine) was performed by 43 (22%) of 197 responding veterinarians. Joint pain or injury was experienced by 29 (67%) of 43 responding veterinarians who frequently palpated large animals (equine or bovine). Animal bites, needle-sticks, and cuts were the most frequently reported injuries within the past year. There were 44 (22%) of 197 respondents who reported having contracted a zoonotic disease. Most of the respondents failed to use appropriate PPE when examining an ill animal or when handling potentially infectious specimens. Clinical veterinarians who have less than 10 years of experience and work in a practice providing clinic-based services were 2.3 and 3.8 times more likely to have low PA rankings, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our work underscores the importance for continued clinical veterinarian education on occupational risks associated with musculoskeletal injuries, animal bites, needle-sticks, and cuts. The fact that survey veterinarians reported a high level of zoonotic disease infection illustrates the need for education and training on proper PPE use. Further work is needed to understand why precaution awareness scores were low among this sample of participants in this study. Additional follow-up with veterinarians is recommended to assess availability of large animal handling facilities and safety practices to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

Fatal Agricultural Injuries in Pennsylvania, 2015-2017: A Comparative Analysis of Two Systems' Data Collection Methods and Datasets.

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare 2015-2017 Pennsylvania agricultural fatal injury data and methods from two separate sources: the Pennsylvania Farm Fatality (PA-FF) dataset and the national AgInjuryNews (AIN) dataset. Between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017, a total of 104 agricultural fatalities were identified in Pennsylvania across both systems. Differences between the two systems included coding, such as victim age and demographics, as well as inclusion criteria, such as the time between the incident and victim death. Of the 104 agricultural fatalities, 73% were identified through the PA-FF dataset, and 53% were identified through the AIN dataset. AIN included a higher proportion of female victims and roadway incidents, whereas PA-FF included a significantly higher proportion of the identified Anabaptist cases (χ2 = 22.329, df = 2, p < 0.001). Although PA-FF may have an advantage by including death certificates, this study revealed that PA-FF alone missed mortality data and certain risk factors, such as roadway fatalities related to farm equipment. When comparing two datasets, the inclusion criteria should be considered. Supplemental surveillance programs such as these would benefit from a periodic review between two or more datasets to ensure that agricultural fatalities are captured more accurately.

Utah Regional Differences in Respirator Use and Fit Testing among Pesticide Applicators.

The purpose of this study was to determine regional differences within Utah in response to piloting a mobile respirator training and fit assessment program for pesticide applicators. The objectives were to describe worker perceptions of respirator use and training experiences. Pilot trainings were offered in two southern counties and two northern counties of Utah. A total of 141 individuals completed the post-training questionnaire regarding use and fit testing experience with respirators as well as perceptions of the benefits to protecting respiratory health. The majority of respondents were male (95.7%, f = 112). The proportion of participants in the southern counties who had respirator training experience (61.0%, f = 25) was not significantly higher (2 = 3.763, df = 1, p = 0.05) than the proportion of participants in the northern counties (43.0%, f = 43). Three-fourths (73.5%, f = 72) of participants in the northern counties agreed that they expect to wear a respirator in dusty conditions, while two-thirds (61.0%, f = 25) of participants in the southern counties agreed that they expect to wear a respirator in dusty conditions. The results indicated that more training should be done to improve perceptions and beliefs about using respirators. A high priority for this population will be identification of comfortable respirator options as well as communicating the importance of proper fit testing.