Assessing Self-reported Occupational Hazards of Manure Applicators in the Upper Midwest.

Manure management on farms presents potential risks to human health and safety, including infectious, chemical, and physical exposures that may result in injury or fatality. Toxic gases and confined spaces are among the most common hazards. These hazards are especially salient for the Upper Midwest of the United States. This study characterizes the occupational health and safety practices and experiences of manure applicators in Minnesota. This cross-sectional study surveyed 162 commercial manure applicators about their work characteristics, safety practices, and health and safety experiences. Respondents reported an average of 17 hours per day applying manure during the busy season, which typically occurs several weeks each year. One hundred and thirty-one (90%) of 145 respondents did not regularly use gas monitors during application. Thirty-three (37%) of 90 respondents reported at least one symptom of gas exposure during manure application work. Those that worked with swine manure were more likely to report symptoms of gas exposure than those who did not work with swine (OR 9.5; CI: 2.0, 89.0). Those that had entered confined spaces were more likely to report symptoms of gas exposure than those who had not entered confined spaces (OR 4.4; CI: 0.1, 1.1). Fourteen (9%) of 150 respondents reported being injured when applying manure. Manure work can be hazardous and may be associated with injury and gas exposure. These findings offer a starting point for future research and intervention to protect and improve the health and safety of applicators.

It Takes a Village: A Novel Process for Responding to Emerging Issues in Agricultural Health and Safety.

Agricultural and food production systems are constantly evolving in response to societal and environmental factors. These sectors are also laden with occupational hazards, creating an opportunity for emerging and re-emerging issues such as emerging markets and changing worker demographics. The Upper Midwest is a region of intensive agricultural production, with many states leading the United States in livestock and crop production. As a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) is tasked with protecting the health and safety of the region's agricultural workers. UMASH implements an Emerging Issues program to effectively respond to emerging and re-emerging issues impacting agricultural health and safety in the Upper Midwest. To direct such work, UMASH developed a novel Selection, Planning and Action Process Model. This model guides all stages of the UMASH Emerging Issues response and emphasizes the ongoing need for monitoring, evaluation, and feedback from agricultural communities. In conjunction with the UMASH Process Model, the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum of Public Participation frames the work of the Emerging Issues Program in meaningfully engaging the community of stakeholders across all stages.

Building Resilient Agricultural Communities: A Process for Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Agricultural Communities.

The impacts of stress on physical and mental health are increasingly salient, and understanding how occupational stress interacts with occupational health and safety will shape conditions and cultures for workers. The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) recognized a need to better understand occupational stressors and mental health outcomes in agriculture, and identify barriers to mental health care along with interventions to improve this system. UMASH hosted a one-day working forum that framed agricultural stress and poor mental health, and potential for interventions, for Minnesota farmers, agricultural workers, and their families. Building Resilient Agricultural Communities engaged a spectrum of stakeholders in agricultural work including: representatives of agricultural workers, farmers, health care, policy makers, and more. The forum further defined stressors and systemic barriers to health care for agricultural workers through presentations, panel discussion, that facilitated discussions and recommendations for intervention. Priority areas to focus outreach and engagement efforts, research, and screening are shared out, with reference to the continued outcomes and impact of this forum.