The Role and Responsibility of the Agricultural Professional in Promoting Farmers' Safety and Health

Farmers indicate they expect and request farm safety services and information from the local farm chemical dealers. This workshop identifies agricultural hazards associated with crop production; e.g., tractors, machinery, and chemicals. Emphasis is placed on discussing the roles and responsibilities of the agricultural professional towards enhancing and promoting farmers' safety and health by means of various intervention strategies. Workshop participants will participate in group discussions in order to identify and recommend additional ways in which they can better serve their clientele in this crucial area. Introduction Farmers expect and request farm safety services and information from their local farm chemical dealers. Results of a survey completed by 106 NE Iowa farmers indicated that they considered local farm chemical dealers to be the most important group involved in supporting and promoting farm safety in the community. They also indicated they do look to the chemical dealers (second to farm magazines) as being a primary source for farm safety information. This workshop is presented in order that the agricultural professional may become familiar with safety and health issues of farm families involved in crop production. Hazards and issues are identified in order that intervention strategies can be identified and solutions implemented. This workshop will enable the agricultural professional to: 1. recognize reasons for being concerned and involved with the farmers' safety and health 2. identify safety hazards and issues of farm families involved in crop production 3. identify intervention strategies for promoting and developing safer agriculture 4. develop additional intervention strategies that can be utilized for improving the safety and health of farm families.