Technical workshop report: Working Group I: Occupational health and safety strategies for agriculture

The six workshops in this subgroup--Injuries, Respiratory Diseases, Acute Chemical Toxicity, Cancer, and Health Surveillance--competently outlined the principal health and safety issues in agriculture, documenting the increased and unacceptable morbidity and mortality in farmers and their families. It became evident that although research knowledge is just now unfolding, sufficient data exist to permit comprehensive program planning for research and prevention. It is necessary that farmers and their families be considered an occupational grouping and that specific programs aimed at ongoing risk assessment and early diagnosis are important. At the same time, a more broadly based approach to rural family life enhancement is essential, including the following: 1) education; 2) prevention; 3) family life enhancement; and 4) research. Because of the scope and nature of the problem, program development should include a multidisciplinary approach that involves the local community, state government, university (professional) resources, farm/organizations, and industry.