THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSIW NIOSH AGRICULTURAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROMOTlON PROGRAM

Surveys conducted in the state of Ohio in 1982 and again in 1990 indicate the rate of farm accidents remains very high. The 1982 survey showed that nearly one-third (30.2 percent) of all farms surveyed (n = 918) experienced a farm-related accident during the 3-year period from 1980 to 1982. The 1990 survey revealed that 15 percent of all farms surveyed (n=574) experienced at least one farm accident during 1989. These data demonstrate that farming in Ohio follows the national trend as being one of the most hazardous occupational pursuits. In an effort to reduce the rate of farm accidents, the Ohio State University is participating in a NIOSH Agricultural Health and Safety Promotion Program. The goal of the project is to improve the health and safety record of the Ohio farming community through a comprehensive educational program. Carefully selected faculty members from the departments of Agricultural Engineering, Family Resources, and Preventive Medicine will work with the Cooperative Extension Service to accomplish this objective. The long-term goal of this program will be to establish an up-to-date information source and a network of individuals to teach farm health, safety, and rescue. The first phase of the program is to assess the Extension agricultural safety and health training, education and informational program needs. This will be accomplished through surveys, accessing additional farm accident data, personal knowledge of the professional faculty and a review of available literature. Current Extension literature will be reviewed and updated. New comprehensive teaching modules will be developed in areas of specific concern in the state of Ohio. These modules will cover such areas as tractor, implement and pesticide safety, and will be targeted to satisfy the needs of vocational education teachers. Working with the Ohio Fire Academy, the program will establish a continuing “Train the Trainer” program for Fire and E.M.S. personnel on farm accident rescue. The Department of Agricultural Engineering will develop a “capstone” course for all students to increase their overall understanding of health and safety issues. This program will develop a solid basis for improving the state of Ohio’s agricultural health and safety environment on a continuous basis for years to come. This poster session will focus on the current Ohio agricultural health and safety issues, the methods the Ohio State University will employ to mitigate the problem, and the expected long-term effect of the NIOSH program in Ohio.