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: As people spend more time outdoors, so do many insects and pests. Among them are ticks, which are small bloodsucking insects. The deer tick (also known as the black-legged tick) is found mainly in the Eastern and upper Midwestern regions of the U.S. It can cause conditions such as Lyme disease – the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. This webinar will cover the things you need to know to prevent tick bites when working outdoors, how to remove a tick if bitten, as well as the symptoms that can result from tick bites that may indicate Lyme Disease.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for Ag professionals, educators, and individuals involved in working and recreation outdoors.

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Gain an understanding of tick-borne disease control measures to reduce exposure risks among ag workers.
Describe Lyme Disease and its regional variation.
Describe symptoms of the different types of Lyme Disease.
Identify workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities for the workplace.

Summary: Dr. Merendino will present the Importance of Foot Health in Agriculture in the first half of the presentation. He will address important practices and provide examples of foot health issues to take action on. Karen will finish with a presentation on her extension fieldwork with the ag/hort growers along with Dr. Merendino including a field day program in Volusia County (commercial fernery), then conclude her results from an Extension Sock Study assaying Merino Wool Socks.

Intended Audience: Agricultural/ Horticultural professionals, medical personnel, and the general public

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…

1. Identify Best Management Practices for proper foot health.
2. Identify common foot conditions that result from poor foot health.
3. Gain knowledge on grower work boot and sock trait preferences as evidenced by actual trials and surveys

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Summary: Foresters and loggers work in the most hazardous industries with high job-related injury, illness, and fatality rates. This workforce faces unique environmental exposures, ergonomic challenges, and health disparities across all ages. The last comprehensive literature review in forestry health and safety for NIOSH was completed in 2012. Under a NIOSH IPA project, AgriSafe conducted a forestry health and safety literature review for publications from 2012 to 2022. The objectives of this review were 1) uncover the health and safety issues currently facing the forestry and logging workforce, 2) identify any new trends or topics in the literature, 3) identify areas of training and health needs 4) identify healthcare access issues impacting the forestry workforce.  Final results of this project will be shared with the audience. Findings in this project will contribute to NIOSH’s priorities for forestry occupational health and safety and the literature. The literature review will inform and prioritize future forestry training needs through AgriSafe’s OSHA forestry training projects. 

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to understand…

1. Summarize the findings of the literature review.
2. Identify areas of training and health needs in health and safety for forestry workers.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for agricultural safety/forestry professionals working in the industry, extension, academia, or safety centers and workers in forestry and logging, including logging owners and first-line supervisors/managers of forestry workers.

Summary: Veterans deal with a whole host of disabilities, traumas, and transitional issues following military service. Agriculture can serve as a solution to many veteran issues through professional training to support career goals and therapeutic activities to support overall wellness of the veteran and their families. Crosscutting programs like Heroes to Hives seek to address these multifaceted needs through professional training in beekeeping and transpersonal wellness practices within the course that seek to utilize bees and the interaction with them as modalities for positive health outcomes. In this session, we will discuss how Heroes to Hives delivers wellness opportunities and practices to their students.

Intended Audience: Health Care Providers, Ag Educators, and Veteran Service Providers

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Participants will learn about the Heroes to Hives program’s integrative training program.
2. Participants will understand the value of integrating transpersonal practices into agricultural settings for wellness.
3. Participants will learn how collaboration with the VA can lead to new wellness opportunities for veterans using VA care.
4. Participants will learn about the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program’s Professional Development grant opportunity.

Summary: Forestry and logging workers are exposed to a range of biological hazards, extreme weather, accidents, and – especially for women– assault. Workplace violence is violence or the threat of violence against workers. This training will review the many forms of workplace violence among co-workers, including sexual harassment. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) states that “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees’ employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” In this presentation, AgriSafe will focus on educating forestry employees and their employers on reporting violent incidents to authorities, informing employees of their legal rights, and safe work practices.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for workers in forestry and logging, including fallers, first-line supervisors/managers of forestry workers, logging equipment operators, sawing machine setters, operators and tenders, and truck drivers.

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to understand…

1. The scope and nature of workplace violence occurring in the forestry sector today.

2. Employers’ responsibilities in addressing workplace violence and implementing preventive measures.

3. Effective strategies and interventions can make the workplace safer and more responsive to employee victims.

Summary: Forest workers face unique ergonomic challenges due to their exposure to extreme environmental conditions, heavy workload, and dangerous tools and machines. The forest sector has one of the highest rates of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), almost 100 times higher than the industrial targets the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) set. This program is intended to help forest workers identify ergonomic issues leading to musculoskeletal injuries and discover resources to aid in injury treatment and prevention.

Objectives: At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to…

1. Identify work site hazards and potential resulting musculoskeletal injuries.

2. Identify three initiatives aimed at reducing risks related to musculoskeletal injuries.

3. Locate evidence-based resources in the forestry health and safety field that address ergonomic security.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for workers in forestry and logging, including fallers, first-line supervisors/managers of forestry workers, logging equipment operators, sawing machine setters, operators and tenders, and truck drivers.

Summary: Stress can directly impact safety. Whether managing forestry wildfires or working long strenuous days harvesting and hauling timber, the forestry and logging workforce face unique situations that can predispose stress and challenges to mental well-being. The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (AgFF) industries has one of highest percentages of deaths by suicide. Key factors contributing to despair and distress include financial losses, chronic illness or pain, a sense of work-life imbalance, and lack of mental health support. And it is common to encounter circumstances beyond their control, such as unpredictable weather patterns, rapidly changing prices, and long workdays sometimes in isolation. Perceived lack of control can lead to helplessness and hopelessness, anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide. This session will explore the topic with a review of specific risk factors, and discuss ways to support this workforce in an unpredictable environment.

Intended Audience: This course is intended for workers in forestry and logging, including fallers, first-line supervisors/managers of forestry workers, logging equipment operators, sawing machine setters, operators and tenders, and truck drivers.

Objectives: At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to…

1. Identify the factors that contribute to stress overload in the forestry and timber harvesting occupations.
2. Relate the effects of stress overload to the safety of the work site and personal life.
3. Identify effective strategies for effective stress management to improve safety and quality of life.

This material was produced under grant number SH-39184-SH2 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: It’s no surprise that farmers’ behavioral health is positively correlated with crop production and healthy animals. But what happens when markets swing, there’s a drought, feed prices go sky-high, and you can’t find good employees?

Stress. It’s the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. Stress creates chemical reactions in our bodies, and cortisol is released, our blood thickens, our blood pressure increases, and more. Chronic stress can lead to your brain shrinking from the constant flow of cortisol. This clearly illustrates why we need to find ways to release cortisol to protect our brain. Science shows that ongoing stress can negatively impact: your brain size and how it functions, the way your children and grandchildren are genetically equipped to handle stressors, and your susceptibility to depression or Alzheimer’s. The solutions are not complicated but are often overlooked. Michele helps you understand tools like rest, exercise, nutrition, and the value of including stress management as a part of their business.

Intended Audience: Farmers, agribusiness, ranchers, farm/ranch families, and agricultural organizations

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be …

1. Empowered to assess their chronic stress risks.
2. Equipped with practical ideas from those in agriculture with lived experience.
3. Provided with SMART approach to proactively plan for stress.
4. Inspired to understand why agriculture must include a stress management plan in best business practices.

Summary: In this informative presentation, we will explore the world of grain safety, shedding light on various types of incidents and the alarming statistics surrounding them. We will delve into the immense pressure exerted by grain, a contributing factor to the severity of injuries and tragic fatalities. Moreover, we will examine the distinction between youth and adult entrapments, analyzing potential risk factors and implications for prevention strategies. Throughout the session, we will uncover effective strategies designed to eliminate the need for entering grain bins, reducing the likelihood of entrapments. Finally, we will discuss methods for removing grain in case of an out-of-condition grain scenario, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of how to mitigate these life-threatening situations. Join us as we unravel the complexities of grain entrapments and empower our audience with valuable knowledge and practical solutions.

Intended Audience: Extension, FFA, and any other individuals who interact with farmers with grain bins.

Objectives: At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to…

1. Understand the different types of grain entrapments and their prevalence, as well as the statistical data associated with these incidents.
2. Recognize the significant pressure exerted by grain and its implications for injuries and fatalities, highlighting the need for caution and preventive measures.
3. Differentiate between youth and adult entrapments, identifying unique risk factors and tailoring strategies accordingly to enhance safety for both age groups.
4. Explore effective strategies to minimize the necessity of entering grain bins, focusing on proactive measures to prevent entrapments and related accidents.