AgriSafe Network

Summary: Zoonotic Diseases are transmitted between farm animals and humans and can pose additional risks to those who are pregnant. According to the World Health Organization, more than half of all human pathogens are zoonotic and have represented nearly all emerging pathogens during the past decade. Farmers and farmworkers have higher levels of risk for contracting zoonotic diseases because of the frequency of their exposure to animals. Prevention is the best defense. Understanding how the disease transmission process works, building a team, and effectively communicating within that team is essential in preventing the spread of zoonotic disease. Women working in agriculture should be aware of the following special considerations during pregnancy, which animals are common carriers of zoonotic disease, symptoms of the disease(s), prevention measures, and pregnancy risks. Intended Audience: Supervisor or Managers: This training is intended primarily for health and safety professionals including but not limited to owner/operators, safety officers or specialists, managers, supervisors, safety coordinators, health safety and environmental interns, and any person or persons who serve as safety personnel in an agricultural setting. Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to… Define zoonotic disease and identify various modes of transmission Identify a minimum of four significant zoonotic diseases affecting the production agricultural population Discuss warning signs and symptoms of major zoonotic diseases which have adverse effects for reproductive health Locate a minimum of three recommended educational resources for use in training an agricultural workforce This material was produced under grant number SH-05068-SH8 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Summary: Tractors have traditionally been a leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries on and around farms and ranches. Other agricultural vehicles are adding to this trend. This webinar will cover the basic hazards associated with agricultural tractors and agricultural vehicles and how to prevent injuries from these hazards. Intended Audience: Safety professionals, educators, students, Ag workers, Ag business employees, and healthcare workers Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…. Understand the hazards associated with agricultural tractors and vehicles. Learn ways to reduce the hazards associated with agricultural tractors and vehicles. Learn where to find resources for teaching and training on the topic of agricultural tractors and vehicle safety.

Summary: Rural roads play an important role in moving people and goods in the U.S., but all too often, crashes occur, and fatalities happen. These fatalities are not just statistics, but are our loved ones and community members, so how do we proactively work to reach zero? In this webinar, we will examine the concept that rural road safety is a shared responsibility, discuss safety culture, and delve into some strategies that can be used to improve safety for all rural road users. You will leave this webinar with actions you as an individual can take to make a difference. Intended Audience: The attendees for National Farm Safety and Health Week including farmers, rural nurse practitioners, and rural clinicians. Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…. Identify the importance of vision zero for rural areas Recognize effective strategies being used in rural areas Describe how you as an individual can support safety initiatives

Summary: With 18+ hour workdays, the stress of the weather, dealing with markets and policies, and limited nutritious, one-handed dining options, it is easy to put healthy eating on the back burner during the busy seasons of harvest and planting. Food in the Field is an online nutrition program seeking to nutritiously feed those who feed us in the field and everywhere in between. This webinar will cover valuable tools to help you plan ahead for the busy seasons as well as research supporting the role of nutrition in mental health and wellbeing. Intended Audience: Farmers and their families, anyone interested in learning about a healthy eating pattern Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…. Identify how to implement small shifts towards a healthy eating pattern Utilize tools to create a healthy food environment at home and during the busy seasons of harvest and planting Understand the research supporting diet’s role in reducing depression symptoms

Summary: Hurricane Michael was the worst agriculture disaster in Georgia's history. The Department of Agriculture partnered with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Georgia Department of Public Health to develop outreach and educational materials to support farmer mental health in the state. This work continued during COVID-19. The Georgia Food and Feed Rapid Response Team (GA RRT) and partner agencies created a COVID-19 Food, Agriculture, and Hospitality Stress Workgroup to assess the impacts of stress and mental health across the nation through 2 online surveys. This presentation will cover partnership building, the evolution of farmer crisis resources in Georgia, and the development of outreach initiatives to inform food, agriculture, hospitality workers, and the public about the importance of the ABCs of Compassion Fatigue that includes awareness, balance, and connections. Intended Audience: Farmers, Public Health, Medical Providers (human and animal health), Emergency Managers, NGO, and General Public Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…. Understand how to build partnerships for farmer mental health Understand COVID-19 Stress and Mental Health Workgroup project timeline Recognize Behavioral and Mental Health impacts to farmers and other sectors during COVID-19 Identify Farmer Stress and Mental Health resources and outreach materials Continuing Education is available for this webinar! The Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers 0.1 CEU or 1.0 contact hours of participation. This course is eligible for 1.0 CPH Recertification Credits and is sponsored by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, an approved provider of CPH Recertification Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. The following groups of professionals have been able to use these CEUs in the past; Industrial Hygiene (CIH), Certified Public Health Professional (CPH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Nursing (RN, LPN), Social Work (LSW), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Audiology (ABA), and others. Please contact your accrediting agency regarding any questions about receiving credits.

In 2018, the U.S. Surgeon General called for increased awareness and availability of naloxone, the opioid antagonist, to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Despite the rise in the dispensing of naloxone, there is a significant gap in our response across all sectors of society. In the rural parts of our country, where emergency response times can be dangerously long, developing a workplace naloxone availability and use program could ultimately save lives. This webinar will share information from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to help employers and workers understand the risk of opioid overdose and the role of naloxone. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Discuss what medications are prescription and illicit opioids and what is OUD (Opioid Use Disorder) Describe the dangers of opioids in the workplace and OUD for safety-sensitive occupations Discuss the role of naloxone in opioid overdose Discuss the implementation of workplace naloxone use programs Understand the administration of the dosage forms available for naloxone used in an emergency

Summary: Workers in the agricultural industry experience multiple hazardous respiratory exposures. It is important to understand these risks and to know the appropriate protective equipment to purchase and use. The female workforce often experiences a challenge finding the right protection with a proper fit. This 30-minute program will address both the risks and the right protective gear. Intended Audience: The primary audience for this program will agricultural production workers, including female workers, and agricultural business managers Objectives: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to: Identify common respiratory exposures that put workers at risk for respiratory illness Recognize appropriate respiratory protection for workers, co-workers, or family members Understand the difference between a respirator and a fabric or paper mask – sorting out the language Access evidence-based information related to respiratory protection This material was produced under grant #SH-05172-SH9 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government

Summary: Tick borne illnesses often go undetected for years. Our speakers will provide unique perspectives from clinicians, resource development, and emotional support of those suffering with Lyme disease. The webinar will provide up to date education, understanding of the complex disease presentation, Lyme disease resources and awareness of the long-term effects for physical and mental health. Objectives: By the end of this webinar participants will be able to… – Describe Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, and their regional variation – Describe symptoms of Lyme disease- early and late stage – Understand the complexities of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), persistence, and secondary diseases/damage – Understand the appropriate use of diagnostic tests for Lyme Disease Intended Audience: This course is intended for health and safety professionals, Ag extension professionals, educators, and individuals involved in working and recreation outdoors.

The occupational hazards that farmers face put them at greater risk for acute and chronic pain as a result of ergonomic repetition, accident, or surgical procedure. Addressing specific occupational sources of pain and what activities the pain inhibits are crucial to improving treatment. This module will focus on how to transform the conversation between provider and patient to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1.  Understand the prevalence of occupational hazards amongst farming occupations. 2.  Recognize occupational implications as they relate to acute and chronic pain. 3.  Gain strategies to improve provider-patient conversations about occupational farmer pain. 4.  Identify patient resources to aid in facilitating candid discussion about pain.

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine released recommendations for opioid prescribing based on safety-sensitive occupations. Safety-sensitive work is typically classified as operating motor vehicles, modes of transportation, other heavy machinery, or tasks requiring high levels of cognitive function or judgment. Farm duties frequently demand the use of heavy machinery, and concurrent use of narcotics alongside safety-sensitive work can be dangerous. This training educates healthcare providers on how to assess occupational agricultural risks and corresponding patient guidance for those who are taking opioid medications. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Identify what classifies as a safety-sensitive occupation and why Describe the dangers involved with prescription opioid use and safety-sensitive occupations Understand how best to discuss with patients who have safety-sensitive occupations alternatives to prescription opioids Identify best practices for naloxone prescribing and use in a rural or agricultural setting Discuss implications of medication assisted therapies for Opioid Use Disorder in safety-sensitive occupations

Prescription opioids are often the first-line therapy to treat chronic and acute pain among farmers. Prescribing opioids to farmer populations that may not seek regular treatment or have access to alternative therapies increases the risk for potential opioid misuse. Properly assessing for these characteristics among other abuse or addiction risk factors, is critical in providing treatment that is both appropriate and effective. The training module will seek to provide insight on misuse risk factors among farmers to better inform healthcare providers on warning signs in this specific cohort. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: List potential risk factors for opioid misuse among farmers. Understand proper opioid misuse assessment strategies. Identify effective alternatives for treating chronic and acute pain among farmers

Summary: Stigma exists across all age groups for those struggling with mental health. Navigation of the teen years in everyday situations can create angst and uncomfortable feelings that are difficult to express. Adding mental illness and mental crisis to a teen or young adult’s typical growth and development makes struggling with emotions, relationships, academic success, and safety more challenging. According to the CDC, rates of depression and anxiety climb significantly during the ages of 12-17. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youths in the United States. This module opens an introductory discussion of mental health among teens and young adults with guidance from an adult educator. Focus is placed on decreasing stigma, improving mental health literacy, and positive coping skills for teens and young adults. The module showcases a high school agricultural student’s understanding of the agricultural mental health crisis, helping to frame mental health distress to academic and future career success. Objectives: After the module, teens and young adults will be able to…. Understand the relationship of mental health to physical health and academic or career success Recognize basic signs or symptoms that present when young adults experience mental stress Identify healthy and unhealthy coping behaviors when faced with mental distress Communicate their concerns when suspecting they or someone they know is experiencing a mental health crisis Intended Audience: This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention now identifies sleep deficiency as a public health problem. Sleep affects every moment of our daily lives, from how we think and remember to how our bodies thrive or deteriorate. It determines how we deal with stress, make choices related to safety, and function as human beings. While most health education tends to focus on nutrition and activity, sleep is arguably the single most important factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and lack of it causes a significantly reduced quality of life. This presenter proposes that we prioritize sleep and improve daily sleep hygiene to enhance every facet of our well-being.

Veterans have a long history of service to our country through military service and through agriculture. The 2017 USDA report added a new special category of producers: “Producers with Military Service”. This report identified that 370,019 men and women agriculture producers claimed the title of US veteran, with 294,974 of them having spent more than 10 years on their farm. Recently much attention has highlighted veterans’ participation in farming. With this new attention, it is important to understand the unique characteristics and needs of those veterans.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected humans on a global scale in a noticeably short time. Individuals working in agriculture who, as “essential workers", are exempt from stay-home mandates, and are naturally at increased risk of negative health, economic, social, and familial consequences from the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Language and cultural differences, rural geographies, socioeconomic pressures, and immigration status are among the barriers that impede agricultural workers access to critical education and prevention technologies emerging to combat COVID-19. Additionally, the unusual persistence and multimodal transmission cycle of SARS-CoV-2 emerging from ongoing scientific study may require customization of otherwise standard prevention messaging to agricultural workers to further prevent infection and disease exacerbation. Contact tracing is a tool that can help slow the spread of infectious diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Contact tracing helps protect you and your employees by: Letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should monitor their health for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Helping people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 get tested, self-quarantine or isolate to prevent spread of disease (CDC).