Research & Extension make farms and ranches safer
- 5 days ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
People who work or live on farms and ranches are regularly exposed to dangerous machinery, sharp tools, toxic chemicals, biological pathogens, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, and other hazards that can cause illnesses, injuries, or deaths, which can have a ripple effect on the economic and social wellbeing of their communities.
Researchers and Extension professionals at land-grant universities are collaborating to make farms and ranches safer. These multistate projects have:
Guided new safety standards for personal protective equipment, grain bins, tractors, and other farm facilities and machinery.
Designed machines now used by 60% of the tomato processing industry, eliminating ~200,000 repetitive motion hazards per year (University of California, Davis).
Designed an apple harvest-assist device that eliminated ladder falls and reduced time spent in awkward, dangerous postures by 20% (Pennsylvania State University).
Conducted safety and health training for over 300,000 workers.
Led grain bin safety demonstrations for tens of thousands of farmers.
Trained over 4,500 emergency first responders on safe and effective extrication procedures.
Helped farmers manage financial stress, which can lead to distraction, injury, and mental health problems.
Learn more about these projects:
