NIOSH brings industry sector approach to agriculture, forestry and fishing safety and health

Background: ~3,100,000 work in U.S. agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) sector. Vs. all industries, agriculture has more workers age 16-19 (7.2% versus 5.1% for all industries) and 55+ (22.9% versus 13.6% for all industries). Farm tractors killed 2,165 farmers 1992-2001. These deaths occurred most often in farmers age >55 years and youth working and/or living on farms. Trucks and fishing boats accounted for 795 and 434 fatal occupational injuries, respectively. (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/agff/risks.html). More recently (2004), AFF recorded 659 fatal work injuries. In 2003, most fatal injuries in AFF occurred in crop production. Methods: NIOSH and partners conduct surveillance for AFF fatalities, injuries, and hazards, underpinning major research and intervention efforts by intramural and extramural researchers. To prevent these injuries and improve the translation of S&H research into workplace practices, in 2005 NIOSH reorganized its portfolio by major industry grouping. Public input and innovative research and intervention proposals have been solicited, and a national council formed to coordinate industry, government, NGO, and academic collaborations for each sector. Results: Robust public participation has occurred: >150 written inputs in public docket, many people giving testimony at our “town hall” meetings around the US. Strategic and tactical planning are underway for this sector, toward reducing tractor-related deaths, pesticide exposures, and other known hazards, especially in special populations such as youth, aging farmers, migrant and non-English speaking hired farm workers. Conclusion: Please join us in this effort. Future data will reveal whether these efforts have borne fruit.