Protecting Ag Employees from Infectious Diseases in the Post-COVID Era

Summary: In the wake of the global impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the ensuing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), the urgency to safeguard agricultural employees from infectious diseases has become paramount. Acknowledging the rapid and profound effects of the pandemic on a global scale, particularly its impact on individuals engaged in essential agricultural work, there is a heightened need to implement robust measures to mitigate the heightened risk of adverse health and economic consequences among this workforce. Addressing the challenges posed by the post-COVID era, it is imperative to adapt and enhance workplace safety protocols to ensure the well-being of agricultural workers, recognizing their critical role in sustaining essential food production.

This presentation aims to emphasize proactive measures that employers can implement to minimize the transmission of infectious diseases. Key focus areas will encompass education and training, the proper utilization of personal protective equipment, adherence to rigorous hygiene practices, effective sanitation and disinfection protocols, robust communication and outreach strategies, well-prepared emergency response plans, and the incorporation of cultural sensitivity considerations. Employers can create safer and healthier work environments by addressing these comprehensive elements.

Intended Audience: Farm/Ranch owners and operators, health and safety professionals, and anyone who serves as safety personnel in an agricultural setting.

Objectives: After the program, participants will be able to…

Develop a comprehensive understanding of infectious disease control measures to mitigate exposure risks for agricultural workers and employers.
Formulate an infectious disease assessment and control plan by incorporating guidelines provided by the CDC.
Demonstrate awareness of the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases within the agricultural workplace.

This material was produced under grant number SH-000099-SH3 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.

Steven Kirkhorn, MD, MPH, FACOEM

Medical Director

AgriSafe Network

As AgriSafe Medical Director, Dr. Kirkhorn is responsible for the strategic direction and technical review of the occupational health curriculum, resources, and services. Dr. Kirkhorn serves as the medical leader liaison offering program wide engagement and collaboration, visibility, and opportunity directly contributing to AgriSafe’s success.

In addition to his role at AgriSafe, Dr Kirkhorn serves as Occupational Medicine Advisor to the NIOSH Upper Midwest Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Minnesota.

He received a BS in Zoology and MD at the University of Minnesota and a MPH in Environmental Health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. He served as the Academic Director of the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety of the HealthPartners Occupational Environmental Medicine Residency. He is boarded in Occupational Medicine and Family Practice and has been on the adjunct faculty of the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin Family Medicine Departments. He has been a practicing Occupational Medicine physician since 1991 and prior to that was a rural Family Practitioner for 10 years in Alaska and Wisconsin. He had completed a year sabbatical and fellowship in Agricultural Medicine in 1997-1998.

He previously was the Medical Director of the National Farm Medicine Center and Chair of Occupational Health and Chair/ Regional Service Line Director of Occupational Health at Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin. He has previously been on the board of AgriSafe and editor for 8 years of the Journal of Agromedicine as well as participating in of multiple agricultural health organizations nationally and in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

He is the recently retired Director and Section Chief of Occupational Health at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Health Care System and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine University of Minnesota Medical School.

His interests include, agricultural and rural occupational and environmental health, curriculum development, as well as birdwatching, biking, and kayaking. He is also a Master Naturalist through the University of Minnesota Extension.