Cultivating an Understanding of the Unique Challenges and Strengths within Farming and Ranching Chelsea Hampton, MSW

 Learning Objectives: I. Participants will gain a basic understanding of/and be able to identify some of the major health issues and conditions agricultural workers face. II. Participants will gain a basic understanding of/and be able to identify risk factors associated with health issues and conditions agricultural workers face. III. Participants will be able to identify preventative approaches and resources for promoting agricultural health and independence.  America’s Farmers. Webisode 14 – “A Year Round Job.”Webisode 14 – “A Year Round Job.”

 Arthritis - Arthritis affects approximately one-third of adults in farming and ranching. 1  Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries – An estimated 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) occur annually, and the rates are higher for males in every age group. 2  Hand and Eye Injuries - Approximately 2,000 cases of job- related eye injury requiring medical care occur each day in the U.S. 3 1 Agriculture and Arthritis. 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury. 3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Workplace Safety & Health Topics: Eye Safety.

 Hearing Loss - In the U.S., an estimated 17% of adults have some level of hearing loss, which increases to 1 in 3 people after the age of Agriculture is one of several industries heavily impacted by noise-induced hearing loss. 5  Cardiovascular Disease – Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.  Skin Cancer – Agricultural workers are in a high-risk category, as skin cancer rates are higher in farmers than in the general population. 6 4 Hearing Loss Association of America – Basic Facts about Hearing Loss. 5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: NIOSH Publications and Products: Work Related Hearing Loss. 6 The Forum.(1997). NC State University.

 Nature of work in agricultural settings and physical stress  Lack of protective equipment and/or safety awareness  Lifestyle factors  Age  Pre-existing health conditions

 Pesticides and Other Chemicals  Operating Machinery  Heavy Lifting  Working with Livestock  Noise Exposure  Exposure to the Elements (more on this in the next section)  Tractor and Vehicle Accidents  Rough/Unstable Terrain

Data from the National Safety Council® Injury Facts® 2008 and 2011 Editions

Data from the National Safety Council® Injury Facts® 2011 Edition Cases by Gender

Data from the National Safety Council® Injury Facts® 2011 Edition

1, 550 vehicle-related cases 1,090 cases due to machinery 300 cases due to chemicals and chemical products Of the data provided, vehicle-related incidents accounted for the most fatalities with 323 Data from the National Safety Council® Injury Facts® 2011 Edition

 Cold Weather Injury, Illness, and Prevention - Frostbite - Hypothermia - Trench Foot - Slips and Falls

 Heat-related Injury, Illness, and Prevention - Heat Stroke - Heat Exhaustion - Heat Cramps

America’s Farmers Webisode 11: “Challenges.” “Put you in a mood you can’t describe…” “That’s when you gotta pick yourself up…you’re pretty depressed and in the dumps when that happens.” “Your whole livelihood is out there.”

 Depression  Stress – Multiple Related Factors  Suicide Risk  PTSD in Returning Veteran-Farmers

 Isolation in Rural Areas  Reluctance to Seek Help  Compounding Factors, Stressors and Underlying Conditions

 Increase awareness of health issues and hazards  Promote the use of protective equipment and utilizing proper safety measures  Increase access to health information and resources  Promote self-care, healthy life-style choices and preventative healthcare  Prevent secondary injuries

What is AgrAbility? AgrAbility: It’s About Hope. [Short Version]. Purdue University Extension.

 Role of Wyoming AgrAbility  Assistive Technology  Partners in Wyoming

Assistive Technology in Agriculture

Assistive Technology (Continued…)

What AgrAbility Means to Me – Don Trammel. National AgrAbility.

 What does PPE stand for?  What would some examples of PPE include?  What does ROPS stand for?  What are some of the resources in Wyoming for agricultural workers with disabilities?  Name three common health conditions/injuries…  Why are agricultural workers at risk?

“I’m Farming and I Grow It.” The Peterson Farm Bros.

-Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety -Rural Assistance Center - Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety. (2009). Farm Health & Safety Tool Kit. - World Health Organization. Occupational health services in agriculture and rural areas: an urgent need for the healthy village campaign Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workplace Safety & Health Topics: Agriculture -Virginia Cooperative Extension. -CDC. Worker Safety on the Farm. -Map -The Skin Cancer Foundation - -Farm Stress One -Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workplace Safety & Health Topics: Heat Stress ERS/USDA -OSHA Fact Sheet: Farm Safety. (2005). -Fetsch, R.J. (June, 2011). Farming, ranching: Health hazard or opportunity? Fact Sheet No Consumer Series: Family. Colorado State University Extension. -National Safety Council. (2011). Injury Facts®, 2011 Edition. Itasca, IL: Author. - National Safety Council. (2008). Injury Facts®, 2008 Edition. Itasca, IL: Author. -Preventing Cold-Related Illness in Agricultural Workers. Wyoming AgrAbility.

THANK YOU! Wyoming AgrAbility 1000 E. University Ave. Dept 3354 Laramie, WY Toll free: (866) Phone: (307) Chelsea Hampton, MSW Randy Weigel, Ph.D. Former Project Coordinator Project Director (307) (307)