Workplace Safety & Health Education for Health Professionals

John Shutske, Professor and Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist
Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Ruth Rasmussen, Research Fellow
Debra Olson, Center for Public Health Education and Outreach and School of Public Health

Funding Source

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Center for Public Health Education and Outreach; and School of Public Health

Objective

Provide agricultural workplace safety and health education for health professionals and emergency personnel responsible for prevention and treatment of workplace injury and disease.

Need or Impact

We have conducted several workshops to provide research-based education for health and emergency response professionals. In addition to workshops on prevention and treatment of agricultural workplace injury and disease, we have expanded our work to include additional education for EMTs, paramedics, and law enforcement personnel who are often the first on the scene of an injury or other emergency event. These programs for emergency responders are also examining unique community exposures that originate from agricultural operations such as chemical spills, vandalism, or the theft of anhydrous ammonia to make methamphetamine. We also coordinate an agricultural safety and health academic minor program for students in the School of Public Health, and courses for BAE and COAFES students with our funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Status

Ongoing.