ObjectiveStorytelling engages audiences, passes down traditions and history, educates, and helps people understand and interpret their environment. Many of those who work in agriculture have been part of the storytelling tradition since childhood. Research has demonstrated the emotional impact of personal stories and how prevention information is conveyed effectively "farmer to farmer" through this method of communication.MethodsSince 2016, the Telling the Story Project has provided a space for those directly or indirectly involved in an agricultural incident to share their story and unique perspectives on how similar incidents can be avoided.ResultsThis collaborative project, developed between the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Agriculture Safety Centers, has resulted in 11 stories on a dedicated website, safety and health resources, and educational guides. The stories and educational guidelines have been marketed extensively through traditional and social media sources, employed in safety training, and embraced by educators in agricultural programs. The website has provided a national and international reach with more than 35,000 visits.ConclusionQualitative thematic analysis of the stories provided data on the circumstances leading up to each incident, valuable information on how the storytellers interpreted the aftermath, and a novel perspective on how safety professionals can create messaging that will resonate with the farming community.

This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for work-related respiratory conditions (asthma, farmer's lung, sinusitis, rhinitis, and environmental allergies, diagnosed by a physician) among farm and ranch operators in the central US. A survey was conducted by the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) in 2018, focusing on work-related injuries, illnesses, exposures, and preventive measures in a seven-state region (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). Farms and ranches (n = 16,818) with an email address and annual sales exceeding $5,000 were randomly selected for the survey. Agricultural production and weather data were merged with survey responses. The relationship between exposures and respiratory conditions was analyzed using generalized estimating equations. We received responses from 3,268 agricultural operations (19% response rate) containing information on 4,064 individual operators. The life-time prevalence of (any) respiratory conditions among farm/ranch operators was 18%. Risk factors for respiratory conditions included exposures to grain/hay/feed dust (OR 2.41), animal confinement dust (OR 1.57), field/road dust (OR 2.11), manure/silage gasses (OR 1.66), anhydrous ammonia (OR 1.51), fuels/solvents/paints (OR 1.92), older age group >70 vs. <43 (OR 1.40), female gender (OR 1.82), and being primary vs. third operator (OR 1.61). Farmers and ranchers have a high prevalence of respiratory conditions associated with dust and gas exposures at work. More effective protective measures are needed using the hierarchy of controls, including improved use of respiratory protection.

Agricultural work involves ergonomic and psychosocial strain, which contribute to musculoskeletal conditions. The aim of this study was to assess if specific ergonomic, psychosocial, and preventive factors are linked to musculoskeletal pain or discomfort symptoms (MSS) in farmers and ranchers. We analyzed data from the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health survey that was conducted in 2018 in a seven-state region of the central United States. MSS were assessed with questions from the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The survey included questions on demographic, ergonomic, psychosocial and preventive factors. Farm production variables were added from the Farm Market iD database. We analyzed the data using Generalized Estimating Equations. The overall prevalence of MSS for all body sites combined was 59% among 4,354 farmers and ranchers who responded (19% response rate). After controlling for age, sex, and operator status, three factors (high stress level, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion/fatigue) showed the strongest associations with MSS in any body site, with adjusted odds ratios (OR) ranging from 4.8 to 5.6. Forceful exertions, repetitive tasks, awkward postures, frequent manual labor, and vibration were also significantly associated with MSS, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.8 to 3.3. Recommended preventive techniques were not protective for MSS. New effective strategies are needed to reduce the high burden of musculoskeletal outcomes among farmers and agricultural workers.

The high risk of occupational fatalities in agriculture is well documented, but information on non-fatal injuries is lacking due to challenges in injury surveillance. This surveillance study explored the frequency, characteristics, and risk factors for non-fatal injuries among farmers and ranchers in the central United States. The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH), in collaboration with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), conducted annual surveys (n = 34,777 sent) during 2011-2015 covering a seven-state region (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, and South Dakota). The average response rate was 32% in the five consecutive annual surveys. The average injury incidence rate was 7.0 injuries/100 operators per year. Most injuries (89%) occurred during agricultural work. The most frequent sources of injury were livestock (22%), machinery (13%), and hand tools (12%). Risk factors for injury included: male gender, younger age (vs. 65+ years), farming as the primary occupation, greater work time, greater land area, ranch (vs. farm), organic farming, internet access, and production of several types of crops and animals. Most injuries (56%) required a doctor visit, and 12% required hospitalization. The average medical costs were $1,936 out of pocket and $8,043 paid by insurance. The combined average costs for most serious injuries were $7,858. Most injuries (66%) resulted in some lost time from agricultural work, and 13% were serious, resulting in more than 30 days of lost work time. The non-fatal injury rate for self-employed farmers and ranchers was higher than that of hired agricultural workers reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This result reaffirms farming/ranching as a dangerous occupation and emphasizes the need for efforts to prevent agricultural injuries, especially those associated with identified injury sources and risk factors.

Purpose: The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) conducts surveillance to characterize occupational injury and illness frequencies, exposures, and preventive practices among farm and ranch operators in the central United States. This report focuses on respiratory diseases and associated exposures and preventive factors.Methods: The CS-CASH Farm and Ranch Health and Safety Survey was sent to randomly selected farmers and ranchers with an email address and farm sales exceeding 5000 per year; 22,440 by email (online survey) and 16,826 by mail (hardcopy form). The survey region consisted of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Risk factors for respiratory disease (all combined, except chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) were evaluated using logistic regression.Results: A total of 3,277 usable responses (response rate 19.47%) were received. The prevalence of respiratory diseases diagnosed by a physician were: asthma, 4.22%; farmer’s lung, 2.22%; sinus disease (sinusitis), 4.75%; nasal inflammation/runny nose (rhinitis), 5.25%; and environmental allergies, 8.27%. The following exposures significantly increased the odds of having a respiratory disease: exposure to grain/feed/hay dust (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.15); animal confinement dust (OR: 1.57); road dust (OR: 2.03); manure and silage gasses (OR: 1.64), anhydrous ammonia (OR: 1.47); fuels/solvents/paints (OR: 1.82); having cow/calf operation (OR: 1.26); growing wheat (OR: 1.28); and growing canola (OR: 1.70).Practical Application: These findings demonstrate the need for effective methods to control dust and gas exposures to reduce the risk of respiratory diseases among farmers and ranchers.