Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Profile: The National Education Center for Agriculture Safety (NECAS) is the only dedicated hands-on training center that deals specifically with reducing workplace illnesses, injuries, and fatalities among U.S. agricultural industry populations. The 10-acre training site is located on the campus of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Peosta, Iowa, and is managed by the college. Evidence-based practice: NECAS programs are developed, implemented and evaluated based upon careful observation and analysis of industry incident data and input from agricultural safety and health professionals. Emphasis during current programs has been directed toward age specific audiences (children/youth and senior/elderly), tractor and farm machinery safety, rural security and methamphetamine concerns, ATV-related incidents, and farm emergencies involving propane, anhydrous ammonia, and grain bin fires and explosions. Procedures/Methodology: NECAS utilizes case studies, simulations, and hands-on training methods to bring about positive change in agricultural worksite practices and behaviors among production agriculture workers and horticulture and landscape services personnel. Collaboration: Support and assistance for these program initiatives is provided by funding from federal agencies, farm organizations, agribusiness, agricultural insurers, chemical formulators, machinery manufacturers, Extension Service professionals, high school agricultural science instructors, and other interested organizations and individuals. Current Program Objectives: 1.Develop, deliver and evaluate agricultural safety and health training programs that reduce the level of preventable injuries, illnesses and fatalities among agricultural clientele. 2.Compile, analyze and prioritize statistical information from various private and government sources on the problematic work environments and work practices in the U.S. Agricultural Industry. 3.Partner with USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Extension Safety Specialists, CDC-NIOSH Agricultural Centers, EPA, agribusiness, and private business sector to develop training initiatives for at-risk and underserved clientele in U.S. production agriculture. 4.Develop and expand the use of "out-reach" training methods and procedures for engaging agricultural audiences exposed to hazardous work environments in the U.S. production agriculture and horticultural services sectors of the agriculture industry. 5.Partner with community-based occupational safety and health organizations and professionals to bring practical, hands-on training to at-risk audiences during community and regional events, including fairs, conferences, workshops, farm cooperative meetings, field days, and other agricultural clientele sessions. 6.Prepare and disseminate media kits and public information for National Farm Safety and Health Week 2010. 7.Develop and submit training and resource development grants to various agricultural safety and health funding sources.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
70%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
Objectives 1. Develop, deliver and evaluate agricultural safety and health training programs that reduce the level of preventable injuries, illnesses and fatalities among agricultural clientele in the United States. 2.Compile, analyze and prioritize statistical information from various private and government sources on the problematic work environments and work practices in the U.S. Agricultural Industry. 3.Partner with USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Extension Safety Specialists, CDC-NIOSH Agricultural Centers, EPA, agribusiness, and private business sector to develop training initiatives for at-risk and underserved clientele in U.S. production agriculture. 4.Develop and expand the use of out-reach training methods and procedures for engaging agricultural audiences exposed to hazardous work environments in the U.S. production agriculture and horticultural services sectors of the agriculture industry. 5.Partner with community-based occupational safety and health organizations and professionals to bring practical, hands-on training to at-risk audiences during community and regional events, including fairs, conferences, workshops, farm cooperative meetings, field days, and other agricultural clientele sessions. 6.Prepare and disseminate media kits and public information for National Farm Safety and Health Week 2010. 7.Develop and submit training and resource development grants to various agricultural safety and health funding sources.
Project Methods
The National Center for Farm Safety (NECAS) intends to meet its stated objectives through a variety of on-site, out-reach, and grant-related training activities. This includes Agricultural Rescue and Emergency Training, Agribusiness Farm Chemical and Propane Training, Fall Harvest Safety, Progressive Agriculture Safety Days Coordinators' Training, Surviving Summer Safely training, Farm Rescue and Emergency Out-Reach Training, National Farm Safety and Health Week, Grain Elevator Fire and Explosion Project, and Dubuque County Firefighters Association Regional Emergency Response Training Facility. NECAS's trainings utilize case study based education and modeling of unsafe work practices and machinery. Furthermore, NECAS is in partnership with Agri-Safe Nurses Network, which provides respiratory testing, hearing testing, blood work, and vision testing on-site. NECAS programs are developed, implemented and evaluated based upon careful observation and analysis of industry incident data and input from agricultural safety and health professionals. Emphasis during current programs has been directed toward age specific audiences (children/youth and senior/elderly), tractor and farm machinery safety, rural security and methamphetamine concerns, ATV-related incidents, and farm emergencies involving propane, anhydrous ammonia, and grain bin fires and explosions.Work is evaluated by NECAS, along with its partners, the National Safety Council (NSC) and NICC, through a comprehensive 5-year strategic planning effort for the development, delivery, and evaluation of programming that meets the needs of agricultural audiences currently and potentially served by NECAS. This plan is informed by data and information from various sources including fatal occupational injury data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, extrapolated data from the National Safety Council's Research and Statistics Department, and data collected from Federal Region VII, served by the NIOSH-funded agricultural center at the University of Iowa. Data comparisons are made for the purpose of preparing and disseminating information to agricultural audiences via media and direct contact at meetings and events attended by this population. In addition, NECAS uses such data to prioritize programming efforts each year.