J.M.
Crawford, S.D.
Jepsen, J.R.
Wiilkins III, T.L.
Bean, G.L.
Mitchell and L.A.
Jones
NIOSH Education and Information Division
In cooperation
with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), The Ohio State University is conducting health and
hazard studies of cash grain farming in Ohio. Hazard data
collection during on-farm inspections is being facilitated
with a pen-based computer, allowing a two-person Hazard Technician
team to record the data electronically during their "walk-around."
The computer has been programmed for systematic data collection
in a manner designed to enhance data completeness and accuracy,
while simultaneously providing the necessary flexibility.
A main menu consisting of specific inspection areas can be
accessed with the touch of a stylus, as follows: structures,
mobile farm machinery, farm vehicles, landscape,noise/dust/gas
grab sampling, and ergonomic observations. After selection
of the primary area for examination, appropriate additional
menus appear, allowing the Hazard Technicians to more precisely
define the areas to be assessed. The programming also incorporates
lists which can be used to quickly inventory an area being
inspected, including lists of pesticides, agriculturally-related
medicinals, and a NIOSH general product exposure list. The
ready availability of these extensive lists increases efficiency
and accuracy, but handwritten responses can also be recorded
for non-listed items. The data collection protocol is currently
being used in Phase 2 of the Ohio FFHHS. The features of the
pen-based system referred to above will be demonstrated.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This
research abstract was extracted from a portion of the proceedings
of "Agricultural Safety and Health: Detection, Prevention
and Intervention," a conference presented by the Ohio State
University and the Ohio Department of Health, sponsored by
the Centers for Disease Control/National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health.
The
authors noted above are from: All at The Ohio State University,
Columbus, OH.
|