Agricultural hazard data from a population-based survey of cash grain farms: Ohio observations

In response to congressional concerns, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) initiated a multistate agricultural surveillance effort in 1990. The Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance (FFHHS) program involved separate population-based surveillance efforts by six state agencies or universities which gathered health and hazard data on farm operators and farm families. The results of the Ohio program are presented as an example of the data collection capabilities developed during the course of this project, which include the application of these data in documenting the prevalence of specific agricultural occupational hazards as well as the current attitudes of agricultural operators toward control and elimination of safety and health hazards. Specifically, three operationally defined areas of hazard audit (Structures, Landscape, and Mobile Equipment) are examined for the prevalence of such safety hazards as potential electrical shock, slippery or badly maintained walkways, inadequate chemical and fuel storage, and missing farm equipment moving-part guards. Questionnaire survey response examples are presented as an indication of farm operator attitudes toward safety and health training, on-site professional service access, and use of personal protective equipment. Current plans for data use and distribution, and the potential applications of the data as an occupational safety and health tool are also discussed.