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Generation of reliable data underpins the effectiveness of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) surveillance systems. Despite the importance of understanding OHS data systems, there are few papers that provide overviews of their structure and/or content. This paper introduces a basic framework for assessing OHS data systems that will be of use to researchers internationally. We applied this approach to assess the Irish OHS data system by undertaking a data mapping exercise. We developed a checklist based on recommendations of monitoring and measurement of OHS proposed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA). An assessment of published reports that present systematic OHS surveillance data was undertaken to identify the institutions or organisations responsible for collecting and curating the data, their remit, and, associated with this, their respective case definitions. We then provide an overview of the variables collected and these are then mapped against the checklist. The assessment highlights that whilst the farm fatalities dataset provides complete coverage of all fatalities, regardless of age or employment status, the same is not true of the three non-fatal injuries datasets reviewed. There are important differences in the data collection methods and, associated with this, which populations are covered. The assessment approach provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of a critical element of OHS surveillance systems, namely the production of datasets. This knowledge is important for researchers as understanding the data that informs their research is fundamental to good science. It is critical for policy-makers and other stakeholders to understand the strengths and weaknesses on which OHS policy, strategies, or education and training interventions are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveillance of injuries in production agriculture is necessary to inform stakeholders about workplace hazards and risks in order to improve and advance injury prevention policies and practices for this dangerous industry. The most comprehensive fatal injury surveillance effort currently in the United States is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), which covers occupational fatalities in all U.S. industries, including production agriculture. However, this surveillance does not include many categories of fatalities that occur during agricultural work or on production agriculture worksites. To better capture the human cost of production agriculture, the authors of this paper call for the collection of additional data with a broader scope that supplements, not replaces, the current CFOI. This paper describes challenges in surveillance, highlights key procedural gaps, and offers recommendations for advancing national surveillance of fatal traumatic injuries associated with production agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural industry has been identified as one of the most hazardous industries in developed countries. The main purpose of this paper was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of agricultural accidents (or injuries) in Taiwan during the period of 2009 to 2018. The occupational accident rates (per 1,000 farmers employed) in Taiwan's agricultural industry showed a decreasing trend over the past decade from 1,486 in 2009 to 1,053 in 2018. This trend could be attributed to the joint-cooperation efforts of the industrial, official, academic, and non-profit parties under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) revised in 2013. Although the occupational accident, disability, and other injury rates in all non-agriculture industries were higher than those in the agricultural industry during this period, the fatality rates in the agricultural industry were higher than those in all industries. Finally, some inter-ministerial measures on occupational safety and health issues in the agricultural industry for preventing agricultural accidents or injuries were recommended in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety conducted a survey in December 2020 to understand the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the Androscoggin Mill explosion among loggers in six states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Methods: Logger mailing addresses were aggregated with the assistance of state logging organizations. A paper survey, including a self-addressed return envelope was mailed to the loggers in December 2020. Results: The mailed survey had a response rate of 13.3% and captured data on 484 loggers. The majority knew someone (including themselves) who tested positive for COVID-19 (71.9%). Less than half (43%) received employer training about COVID-19 prevention measures, though 73% received some form of COVID-19 personal protective equipment from their employers. The health department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and health care providers were the most trusted sources of health information. Nearly half acknowledged significant change in their home lives and work responsibilities due to the pandemic. The explosion of the Androscoggin Mill affected the business of 80% of Maine loggers, and 18% of loggers that resided outside Maine. Conclusion: The lessons learned can be used to enhance trust in public health institutions and future public health response to this unique occupational group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Agriculture is one of the most hazardous jobs in terms of occupational illness, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This paper is a cross-sectional study designed to identify agricultural risk factors related to MSDs among older farmers. Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select 481 older farmers from the Nong Suea district in Pathum Thani province. A three-part questionnaire generated data that included demographics, work conditions, and environment, and self-reported MSDs. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for MSDs. Results The results indicated the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the past 7 days and 12 months were 87.9% and 88.9%, respectively. The three body parts with highest prevalence rates of MSDs were lower extremities (65.4%), lower back (42.6%), and shoulders (29.9%). Factors significantly associated with reporting MSDs during the past 12 months (p value <.05) were women (adjusted odds ratio = 2.52: 95% CI; 1.19–5.36), using agricultural tools (adjusted odds ratio = 4.40: 95% CI; 1.18–13.79), prolonged static postures (adjusted odds ratio = 3.81: 95% CI; 1.05–13.82), and lifting >10 kg (adjusted odds ratio = 2.87: 95% CI; 1.22–6.82). Conclusions Study results revealed older farmers had high prevalence of MSDs and various related risk factors. Occupational ergonomic issues for promoting safety awareness of agricultural risk factors among elderly farmers should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In Norwegian aquaculture, safer technology and better safety management systems have been developed during the last decade. Safety commitment and safe behavior are still vital to ensure a safe working environment. The objective of this paper is to explore what factors might influence the reporting of hazardous situations in aquaculture. The significance of factors on both the individual (work experience, position) and company/organizational level (company size, safety climate) was studied. It was hypothesized that reporting of hazardous situations was positively predicted by work experience, having the position as operational manager, company size, and safety climate. Methods: The study is based on a quantitative questionnaire study involving 428 fish farmers, operational managers, and service vessel employees in the Norwegian aquaculture industry, interviewed by telephone. A purposive sampling procedure was employed. Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were applied. The data quality was considered satisfactory. Results: Individual factors had no significant relationship with the reporting of hazardous situations. Company size and safety climate factors had positive associations with reporting. Larger companies might have more resources for safety management and the development of practical reporting solutions. A positive safety climate might increase the motivation for reporting. Conclusion: Efforts by management to improve the safety climate can contribute to the reporting of hazardous events, continuous improvement of safety management and improvement of the safety level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Aquaculture encompasses a variety of species in both freshwater and marine settings and can combine elements of agriculture and fishing, two recognized hazardous occupations. Efforts are underway to expand the aquaculture sector in the United States (U.S.), and should be informed by occupational safety and health (OSH) research. The objectives of this review paper are to: i) describe the U.S. aquaculture sector, ii) summarize statistics, peer-reviewed studies, and reports focused on U.S. aquaculture OSH, and iii) describe the policy landscape specific to U.S. aquaculture OSH. Methods: Literature searches employed databases and Internet search engines to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles, reports, and other resources. Due to the expected U.S. expansion of marine aquaculture and paucity of peer-reviewed U.S.-based OSH literature in this sector, additional searches for international research on marine aquaculture were conducted. Results: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated high rates of illness and injury among U.S. aquaculture workers in 2014 and 2015. Peer-reviewed literature on aquaculture OSH identified numerous physical, chemical, and biological OSH risks depending on production methods and settings. Significant policy gaps exist regarding U.S. aquaculture OSH surveillance, reporting, and regulation. Conclusion: This review identifies a critical need for research, surveillance, and best practices information, specific to the major types of aquaculture in the U.S., to augment and inform worker safety and health efforts in this expanding sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational illness, injury, and fatality rates for those working in production agriculture are higher than in any other industry. A potential risk factor contributing to occupational injuries across all industries is acute or chronic co-morbidity (e.g., obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), and related health issues that increase the risk for an occupational injury or illness. These chronic health conditions have been associated not only with increased risk for injuries, but also higher health-care costs, and greater absenteeism. Certified Safe Farm (CSF) is a comprehensive intervention program aimed to reduce occupational health and safety hazards and to promote general health among farmers. Prior publications have described CSF program efforts to reduce hazardous exposures, disabling injuries, organic dust toxic syndrome, occupational health-care costs, and to increase positive occupational health behaviors. This paper reports on the general health indicators of a cohort of 438 Iowa farm owner/operators enrolled in the CSF program. Overall, this study found that the farming population in Iowa has higher body mass index (BMI), but lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and lower prevalence of hypertension compared to the general population. There was evidence that the combination of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI were related to increased injury rates. Poor self-reported health status was also related to increased injuries but was not related to clinical health indicators. The CSF intervention led to improvements on health outcomes, particularly among those in the 35 to 49 age group. Little research has focused on the individual's general health status as a predictor of risk of occupational injury. This study suggests the need for additional research and interventions integrating occupational safety and health prevention along with health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvesting timber for lumber produces is among the most dangerous occupations in the United States. While not exhaustive, the literature on these dangers is substantial. However, several other smaller harvesting forest based industries put workers at risk in unique ways. Relatively little research has been published on these activities, but preliminary exploratory research, summarized here, suggests that besides the risks inherent in being in the forest, workers face some unique workplace risks, the frequency and consequences of which are augmented by the social determinants that characterize the workforce. This paper provides a brief overview of the workplace safety risks to forest green and mushroom harvesters and cedar block cutters in the Northwest. We also point out the social characteristics of these workforces that potentially aggravate these risks and the health impacts therefrom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Certified Safe Farm (CSF) is a multimodal intervention composed of four components: safety, health, education, and economic incentive. North Carolina has conducted the largest implementation of CSF outside of the Midwestern United States where it was developed. This paper describes the Efficacy dimension of the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework for the implementation of CSF in North Carolina during 2009-2012 on 113 farms in a three-county, highly productive and diverse agricultural area. Methods: Using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression, quantitative data were examined from on-farm safety reviews, as well as primary operators’ use of cost-share funds as an economic incentive (34% participation) to make identified safety and health improvements on the farm. Results: Overall farm safety review scores were generally high (96% passing rate). Category scores revealed hazards in seven key categories: Chemical Storage; Tractors; Machine Shop, Repair Area; Gravity Flow, Auger, and Forage Wagons; Portable Augers; Dairy and Beef Structures; and Swine and Poultry Structures. The cost-share economic incentive component was utilized in addressing hazards in five of these categories, as well as in nine others. The average per farm cost-share reimbursement was $3,276, with a median of $1,615. In total, an investment of $255,307 (farmer investment plus incentive) was made in safety and health improvements on farms (n = 38). Correlation and logistic regression analyses revealed no significant relationships among scores, cost-share investments, and selected farm demographics. Conclusion: Findings suggest the 50% cost-share for safety and health improvements is a promising economic incentive model for CSF implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are increasingly recognized as a significant hazard of agricultural occupation. In agricultural jobs with significant physical labor, MSDs are typically the most frequently reported injury. Although not as lethal as tractor roll-overs, MSDs can result in disability, lost work time, and increased production costs. MSDs increase production costs as a result of worker absence, medical and insurance costs, decreased work capacity, and loss of employees to turnover and competition from other less physically demanding industries. This paper will provide an overview of what is currently known about MSDs in agriculture, including high-risk commodities, tasks and work practices, and the related regulatory factors and workers' compensation costs. As agricultural production practices evolve, the types of MSDs also change, as do ergonomic risk factors. One example is the previous higher rates of knee and hip arthritis identified in farmers in stanchion dairies evolving into upper extremity tendonitis, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome now found in milking technicians in dairy milking parlors. This paper summarizes the presentation, “Musculoskeletal Disorders in Labor-Intensive Operations,” at the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” January 27-28, 2010, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. The primary focus of the paper is to address current research on ergonomic solutions for MSDs in agriculture. These include improved tools, carts or equipment, as well as work practices. One of the key challenges in this area pertains to measurement, due to the fact that musculoskeletal strain is a chronic condition that can come and go, with self-reported pain as its only indicator. Alternative measurement methods will be discussed. Finally, the implementation of research into practice is reviewed, with an emphasis on best practices that have been demonstrated to be effective in the agricultural setting, based on worker acceptance and comfort, improved productivity, and decreased MSDs. The paper will provide an overview for agricultural stakeholders as to the current science and practice of ergonomics in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses small events occurring among developing countries, particularly but not exclusively in Asia, and their subsequent large impacts on net food exporting countries in the world, particularly, but not exclusively, located in the Western hemisphere. A Green Revolution II is underway as a result where the world's agricultural system will produce more (output) with less (inputs). Agriculture will meet the rapidly growing demand for bio-based foods, fuels, feeds, and fiber while reducing input usage, preserving the natural environment, and maintaining native ecosystems. In turn agricultural workers will receive a health dividend as chemical usage falls, automation, metering, and sensing technologies rise, and exposure to harsh environmental, both natural and man-made, conditions is reduced. This paper was prepared for the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” January 27-28, 2010, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) were developed to assist parents in assigning developmentally appropriate and safe farm work to their children aged 7–16 years. Since their release in 1999, a growing body of evidence has accumulated regarding the content and application of these guidelines to populations of working children on farms. The purpose of this paper is to review the scientific and programmatic evidence about the content, efficacy, application, and uptake of NAGCAT and propose key recommendations for the future. The methods for this review included a synthesis of the peer-reviewed literature and programmatic evidence gathered from safety professionals. From the review, it is clear that the NAGCAT tractor guidelines and the manual material handling guidelines need to be updated based upon the latest empirical evidence. While NAGCAT do have the potential to prevent serious injuries to working children in the correct age range (7–16 years), the highest incidence of farm related injuries and fatalities occur to children aged 1–6 years and NAGCAT are unlikely to have any direct effect on this leading injury problem. It is also clear that NAGCAT, as a voluntary educational strategy, is not sufficient by itself to protect children working on farms. Uptake of NAGCAT has been sporadic, despite being geographically widespread and has depended, almost solely, on a few interested and committed professionals. Key recommendations for the future are provided based upon this review. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In 1996 the US launched a National Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention Initiative, guided by an action plan generated by a 42-member multidisciplinary committee. A major update to the plan was released following the 2001 Summit on Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention. From the year 2010 through 2011 a comprehensive assessment of progress to date was conducted followed by the drafting, review and finalizing of a new action plan—“The 2012 Blueprint for Protecting Children in Agriculture.” This paper briefly describes the purpose and process for generating the new action plan then provides a listing of the 7 goals and 26 strategies within the plan. These goals and strategies account for trends in childhood agricultural injuries, changes in agricultural production and the demographics of its workforce, effectiveness of interventions, and the increasing use of social media, marketing and social networking. Primary funding for this project was provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which continues to serve as the lead federal agency for the national initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Public health surveillance is fundamental to monitoring trends and for planning, implementation, and evaluation of health conditions in order to develop appropriate prevention and control programs. Farms and ranches are places where work and home life intersect in a unique way where risks are shared between work, home, and leisure. Public health surveillance systems have not been adapted to include agricultural youth as a subset at high risk of injuries and illnesses. Occupational health surveillance is used to monitor work-related illnesses and injuries but most have not allowed for continuous monitoring of agricultural-related illnesses, injuries, and disability. Limited evaluation of data sets available for surveillance or periodic reporting of disease, disability, medical care utilization, and risk factors relevant for youth living and working on farms and ranches other than traumatic injuries has been published. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the current most commonly used databases and their limitations, and to list potentially relevant databases and their limitations, as well as making recommendations to augment their usefulness in monitoring trends among youth living and working on farms and ranches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the Pre-Harvest Food Safety Panel presentation at the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, January 27-28, 2010. The ways we produce food and the ways consumers perceive agriculture have changed, bringing new challenges and new opportunities for human, animal, and environmental well-being. Issues that increasingly confront food producers today are about assuring the quality, safety, and security of the food products they produce. There are challenges and opportunities for protecting human health by controlling the presence of chemical, biological, and physical hazards in food. Today, demand for food products and the food producer's financial bottomline are affected by emerging preharvest acquired biological hazards such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, antibiotic resistance, multidrug-resistant Salmonella, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC; e.g. E. coli O157:H7), and other food safety pathogens. Years ago these issues were largely unheard of, but other zoonotic pathogens dominated the food safety landscape. Lessons of the past and examination of the present may provide insight into the future of food safety. There remains a need to fund food safety research that helps policy makers understand the marginal costs and benefits of science-based interventions at various levels of food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous hazards may occur on farms raising livestock. Animal contact is often ranked as the first or second leading cause of injuries on the farm. In addition to direct trauma from the animal, other injuries may occur from injection of medications, chemical splashes from cleaning the facility, and repetitive motion injuries. Exposures to toxic gases from decomposition of animal waste such as in manure pits and exposure to animal allergens may cause adverse health effects in humans. One additional consideration is the risk of developing various zoonotic infections. Human injuries happen more often when people are handling animals than during any other activity performed in pork production. The National Pork Board of the United States, in response to a request from pork producers, has developed a program designed to improve worker safety, pig welfare, and pork quality when pigs are moved for whatever reason. The objective of the Transport Quality Assurance™ (TQA) program is to help all those who transport, produce, or handle swine to do so in a way that is optimal for the pigs' well-being, the health of the handler, and to improve the quality of the pork produced. Understanding basic pig behavior, proper handling practices, and using proper handling equipment will help animal handling be a safe activity. This paper was prepared for the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” January 27-28, 2010, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides, ammonia, and sanitizers, all used in agricultural production present ongoing risks for exposed workers. Pesticides continue to poison workers despite elimination of some of the most toxic older products. Obligatory reporting of pesticide poisonings exists in 30 states and surveillance of poisoning occurs in only 12. Estimates of poisoning numbers have been based on sampling but funding for this is scant and in constant jeopardy. There appears to be a downward trend in poisonings nationally based on SENSOR data. Newer more pest-specific pesticides are generally less toxic and present less health risks but may have unpredicted health effects in humans that may not emerge until used widely. Internationally, older cheaper chemicals continue to be used with serious consequences in many developing countries. Monitoring workers for overexposure to pesticides broadly is impractical with the exception of the cholinesterase inhibitors. We can learn much from monitoring systems. Unfortunately, monitoring tools are economically inaccessible for most other chemical groups. New technologies for toxicity testing will necessitate new biomonitoring tools that should be supplied by the producers of these chemicals and made available for protecting worker and the public. Protection of workers from pesticides is primarily based on personal protective equipment use, which presents significant hardship for workers in hot environments and is generally considered the least effective approach on the hierarchy of controls in worker protection. Isolation through the use of closed systems has been employed, though rarely studied as to effectiveness in field use. Substitution or replacing harmful substances with safer ones is underway as more pest specific chemicals enter the pesticide portfolio and older ones drop out. This paper summarizes the panel presentation, “Minimizing Exposures to Pesticides and Other Chemicals,” at the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, January 27-28, 2010. The panel presented several different aspects of agrochemicals and health. The discussion aimed at identifying important practical opportunities to begin to decrease agricultural worker overexposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes “Respiratory Issues in Confined Feeding Operations,” a panel discussion at the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conference, “Be Safe, Be Profitable: Protecting Workers in Agriculture,” Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, January 27-28, 2010. Occupational exposure to confined animal feeding operations is associated with cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Published data shows that 20% to 40% of hog confinement workers experience such symptoms, although most are able to continue working in this industry. Endotoxin is one component of hog barn dust that is associated with respiratory disease in workers. Endotoxin levels on cattle feedlots can also be in the range linked with occupational lung disease. The cattle industry has not yet prepared guidance documents for producers, in part because much less is known about the prevalence of lung disease in its workers. However, the pork industry provides information for pork producers on reducing their respiratory health risks through a multifaceted approach, including the use of respirators. Some jobs cannot be done safely without respiratory protection, such as entering manure pits. It is less clear for other jobs when respirators should be worn. Use of respiratory protection should be considered but not mandated for all persons working in close proximity to livestock in dusty conditions. A respiratory protection program may also serve as a cost effective biosecurity measure to protect animals from human pathogens such as influenza virus. Proper design and management of barn ventilation systems is critical for maintaining temperature and humidity levels for optimal animal growth; as well as decreasing the level of gases and respirable dusts. The pork and the cattle industries support occupational health and safety; however, the governmental guidance and recommendations for such programs are limited for the agricultural industries as a whole. The industries should lead the way in the effort to improve respiratory protection for workers. Overall, a team approach that includes input from managers, workers, and veterinarians is important for the reduction of respiratory hazards on livestock farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers experience high rates of skin disease that result from their working and living conditions. Knowledge of the ways farmworkers treat skin disease symptoms will provide a foundation for developing culturally appropriate health education, improving the delivery of health services, and improving occupational health policy for agricultural workers. The purpose of this paper is to describe skin disease self-management practices among Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina. This analysis uses a qualitative design based on in-depth interviews with 30 Latino farmworkers (six females, 24 males). Computer assisted, systematic procedures are used to analyze the verbatim transcripts of these interviews. Participants shared a consistent set of health self-management actions in treating skin disease. These actions were within the domains of self-care and medical care. A model of skin disease self-management among Latino farmworkers includes the self-care actions of hygiene. use of home remedies and use of over-the-counter remedies, with farmworkers often combining different domains of self-care. While farmworkers acknowledge the benefits of medical care, they are also mindful of barriers to its use, including cost, transportation and language. The large percentage of farmworkers who experience skin problems indicates that health outreach workers who serve this population need to provide education on preventing and treating skin problems, and they need to recommend to farmworkers appropriate over-the-counter medicines for the treatment of these skin problems. Appropriate medical care for treating skin problems that are dangerous and reduce farmworkers' quality-of-life needs to be made available to this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A discussion of the articles published for this issue of the journal is presented. It elaborates that two of the papers in this issue build upon previous publications address agricultural pesticide exposure surveillance and youth and adolescent agricultural-related injuries. It emphasizes that the method of exposure drives where and how the data are reported and captured, and that one reporting mechanism is not adequate at present to capture the full spectrum of pesticide illness.

This paper describes the Emory Agromedicine Training Project, a component of Occupational Medicine residency training at Emory Universitysince 1991. The Project places occupational medicine residents in rural settings, where they perform a range of activities: working on farms, service visits to farms, grand rounds presentations to rural hospitals, public presentations in farm communities, and clinical service in the migrant health program. In addition they complete a directedreading syllabus and a research project. The rotation has been successful in building the residents' knowledge of agricultural safety andhealth, instilling positive attitudes toward the field, and achieving desired behaviors and skills. In addition, strong statewide networking was accomplished through this initiative. Areas of limited success include the small number of residents trained, some resident dissatisfaction with intense travel requirements and security concerns, andinability to secure long-term funding. We conclude that agriculturalsafety and health is highly suitable for inclusion in occupational medicine training, and this model should be extended to primary care specialties such as family practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]