Resources:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998, 800-35-NIOSH (800-356-4674). Web site
address: www.cdc.gov/niosh.
NIOSH Agricultural Health and Safety Centers
Deep-South Center for Agricultural Disease & Injury, Research Education & Prevention.
University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd,
Tampa, FL 33612-3805. Phone: 813-974-6661.
Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention. Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kentucky, 1141 Red Mile Rd., Suite 102, Lexington, KY 40504-9842. Phone: 606-323-6836.
Northeast Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health. One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Phone: 607-547-6023.
Midwest Center for Agricultural Research, Education, and Disease and Injury Prevention.
National Farm Medicine Center, 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449-5790.
Phone: 715-387-9298.
Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health. 100 Oakdale Campus, #124 AMRF, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000. Phone: 319-335-4412.
Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury and Education. The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, 11937 US Hwy 271, Tyler, TX 75708. Phone: 903-877-5896.
High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety. 154B Environmental Health Bldg., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681. Phone: 970-491-6151.
University of California Agricultural Health and Safety Center at Davis. Old Davis Rd., University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616-8757. Phone: 530-752-5253.
Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. Department of Environmental Health, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7234. Phone: 206-685-8962.
NIOSH Publications
The following are free from the NIOSH Publications Office. Call 800-356-4674 or fax 513-
533-8573.
Elements of Ergonomics Programs: A Primer based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders. 1997. A. Cohen, C. Gjessing, L. Fine, B. Bernard, J. McGlothlin, editors.
NIOSH Publication No. 97-117. This 132-page book outlines a seven-step process that
tells you how to determine whether you need an ergonomics program and how to start one.
Chapters include training, reviewing medical data, and developing solutions. Checklists and
questionnaires for data gathering are included.
Participatory Ergonomic Interventions in Meatpacking Plants. 1994. By C. Gjessing,
T. Schoenborn, and A. Cohen. NIOSH Publication No. 94-124. This 200-page book from
NIOSH gives case studies of three companies that set up participatory programs with
employees. Although the case studies are in meatpacking plants, the same principles apply
in most workplaces.
Other Publications
Easy Ergonomics, A Practical Approach for Improving the Workplace. 1999. Published by the California Department of Industrial Relations, Cal/OSHA Consultation Service. Copies can be obtained at no charge from Cal/OSHA, Manager, Consultation Education and Training
Unit, 2211 Park Towne Circle, Suite 4, Sacramento, CA 95825. 916-574-2528. Although
this publication is geared toward general industry, the ideas presented are easily transferable to agriculture.
Blueprintstwo: The Ergonomics Manual. 1990. Published by Comprehensive Loss Management, Inc., Minneapolis. This 40-page guide is designed for supervisors and managers to help employees prevent cumulative trauma disorders. It discusses the risk factors of cumulative trauma disorders and specific prevention strategies, including 80 illustrations. Copies can be obtained for $4.95 each by calling 800-279-0288 ext. 122.
Videos
Listen to Your Body: Safe Lifting, Pushing and Pulling, English/Spanish, 1992, 30 minutes.
Illustrates how back injuries occur and demonstrates safe lifting techniques. Made by the
University of Florida. Available from: Safety Coordinator, Department of Agricultural and
Bio systems Engineering, University of Arizona, Shantz Bldg, Room 403, PO Box 210038,
Tucson, AZ 85721-0038. Materials are sent on a loan basis. User agrees to return materials
on or before a scheduled date and to pay return shipping costs. Please request materials as
far in advance as possible. Telephone requests accepted at 520-626-3134.
Ergonomic Programs That Work, English, 1998, 21 minutes. Shows how several companies resolved ergonomic problems in their workplaces, resulting in higher productivity and fewer lost workdays. Can be borrowed from U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, Office of Public Affairs, Room N3647, 200 Constitution
Avenue, Washington, DC 20210. 202-693-1999. osha.videos@osha-slc.gov. Duplication of
tape for further use is permitted. Can be bought from NTIS (National Technical
Information Service) for $55 +$5 shipping and handling. Call 800-553-6847. Order
#AVA20258-VNB1INA.
NIOSH Lifting Equation
This equation is a simple way to determine a recommended weight limit for
specific tasks. The equation plugs in factors such as the height from the floor that the
object is picked up from, the distance the object is moved, and the frequency of lifts.
The equation and instructions on how to use it are available from the NTIS
(National Technical Information Service). Ask for PB94-176930; cost is $12.00 plus
$4.00 handling. Write to NTIS, U.S. Dept of Commerce, Technology Administration,
Springfield, VA 22161. Call 703-487-4650 or fax 703-321-8547.
Cooperative Extension Services
Contact your local county agricultural extension office. This is usually listed under
county government in the phone book, but sometimes under U.S. government (agriculture)
or state government.
You can also contact the extension services at land-grant universities. These are the
big public universities in each state; in Michigan, for example, Michigan State
University. Call the university's agriculture department. For a complete list of university
extension services, go to http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm (click on
your state). Or contact CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service), an agency of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, at USDA, Washington, DC
20250-0900. Phone 202-720-3029. Fax 202-690-0289.
The OSHA Consultation Program
OSHA's free consultation service is delivered by state governments using
well-trained professional staff. Consultants can assist you in recognizing potential workplace
hazards on your farm and suggest approaches or options for eliminating these hazards.
Primarily for smaller, high-hazard businesses with 10 or more employees, this service
is completely separate from OSHA enforcement. No citations are issued and no
penalties are proposed.
Setting it up: Your phone call or letter sets the machinery in motion. The consultant will discuss your needs with you and set up a visit date. OSHA encourages a complete review of your work environment; however, you may limit the visit to a specific
problem, such as ergonomics.
The walk-through: Together, you and the consultant will examine occupational safety and health conditions at your farm. OSHA encourages employee participation in the walk-through. Talking with employees helps the consultant identify and judge any
hazards; it also allows the consultant to provide limited informal training, upon request.
The consultant will do an appraisal of all mechanical and environmental hazards
and physical work practices, or will look just at the specific operations you designate.
You will learn not only what you need to improve, but also what you are doing right.
Hazard abatement dates are determined by you and the consultant.
The On-Site Consultant Will:
- Help you recognize occupational safety and health hazards in your workplace.
- Suggest general approaches or options for solving a safety or health workplace problem.
- Identify kinds of help available if you need further assistance.
- Provide you a written report summarizing findings.
- Assist you in developing or improving your safety and health management system.
- Provide occupational health and safety formal training for you and your employees.
The On-Site Consultant Will Not:
- Issue citations or propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards.
- Report possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff.
- Guarantee that your workplace will "pass" an OSHA inspection.
For more information about the OSHA Consultation Program, you can contact the
Consultation Project in your state (directory follows) or go to the OSHA web site at
www.osha.gov.
ALABAMA
Safe State Program, University of
Alabama
205-348-3033 |
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Program available only for employers
within the District of
Columbia |
INDIANA
Bureau of Safety, Education and
Training, Division of Labor
317-232-2688 |
ALASKA
Consultation Section,
ADOL/AKOSH
907-269-4957 |
DC Department of Employment
Services, Office of Occupational
Safety and Health
202-576-6339 |
OWA
7(c)(1) Consultation Program,
Bureau of Labor
515-965-7162 |
ARIZONA
Consultation and Training, Industrial
Commission, Division of
Occupational Safety and Health
602-542-5795 |
FLORIDA
Department of Labor and
Employment Security, 7(c)(1)
Onsite Consultation Program,
Division of Safety
850-922-8955 |
KANSAS
7(c)(1) Consultation Program,
Department of Human Resources
785-296-7476 |
ARKANSAS
OSHA Consultation, Department of
Labor
501-682-4522 |
GEORGIA
Georgia Institute of Technology,
7(c)(1) Onsite Consultation
Program
404-894-2643 |
KENTUCKY
Labor Cabinet, Division of
Education and Training
502-564-6895 |
CALIFORNIA
CAL/OSHA Consultation Service,
Department of Industrial
Relations
415-703-5270 |
GUAM
OSHA Onsite Consultation,
Department of Labor
671-475-0136 |
LOUISIANA
7(c)(1) Consultation Program,
Department of Labor
225-342-9601 |
COLORADO
Colorado State University,
Occupational Safety and Health
Section
970-491-6151 |
HAWAII
Consultation and Training Branch,
Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations
808-586-9100 |
MAINE
Division of Industrial Safety, Bureau
of Labor Standards, Workplace
Safety and Health Division
207-624-6460 |
CONNECTICUT
Department of Labor, Division of
Occupational Safety and Health
860-566-4550 |
IDAHO
Boise State University, Department
of Health, Safety and Health
Consultation Program
208-426-3283 |
MARYLAND
MOSH Consultation Services
410-880-4970 |
DELAWARE
Department of Labor, Division of
Industrial Affairs, Occupational
Safety and Health
302-761-8219 |
ILLINOIS
Onsite Consultation, Industrial
Service Division, Department of
Commerce and Community
Affairs
312-814-2337 |
MASSACHUSETTS
Division of Occupational Safety and
Health, Department of Work
force Development
617-727-3982 |
MICHIGAN (Health)
Occupational Health Division
517-322-6823 |
NORTH CAROLINA
Bureau of Consultative Services,
Department of Labor, OSHA
Division
919-807-2905 |
UTAH
Labor Commission, Workplace
Safety and Health, Consultation
Services
801-530-6901 |
MICHIGAN (Safety)
Department of Consumer and
Industry Services
517-322-1809 |
NORTH DAKOTA
Division of Environmental
Engineering
701-328-5188 |
VERMONT
Division of Occupational Safety and
Health, Department of Labor and
Industry
802-828-2765 |
MINNESOTA
Department of Labor and Industry,
Consultation Division
612-297-2393 |
OHIO
Bureau of Employment Services,
Division of Onsite Consultation
614-644-2246 |
VIRGINIA
Department of Labor and Industry,
Occupational Safety and Health,
Training and Consultation
804-786-6359 |
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi State University, Center
for Safety and Health
601-987-3981 |
OKLAHOMA
Department of Labor, OSHA
Division
405-528-1500 |
VIRGIN ISLANDS
Division of Occupational Safety and
Health, Department of Labor
340-772-1315 |
MISSOURI
Onsite Consultation Program,
Division of Labor Standards,
Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations
573-751-3403 |
OREGON
Oregon OSHA, Department of
Consumer and Business Services
503-378-3272 |
WASHINGTON
Department of Labor and Industries,
Division of Industrial Safety and
Health
360-902-5638 |
MONTANA
Department of Labor and Industry,
Bureau of Safety
406-444-6418 |
PENNSYLVANIA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
724-357-2396 |
WEST VIRGINIA
Department of Labor
304-558-7890 |
NEBRASKA
Division of Safety and Labor
Standards, Department of Labor
402-471-4717 |
PUERTO RICO
Occupational Safety and Health
Office, Department of Labor and
Human Resources
787-754-2171 |
WISCONSIN (Health)
Department of Health and Human
Services, Division of Public
Health, Section of Occupational
Health
608-266-9383 |
NEVADA
Safety Consultation and Training
Section, Division of Industrial
Relations, Department of
Business and Industry
702-486-9140 |
RHODE ISLAND
OSH Consultation Program, Division
of Occupational Health and
Radiation Control, Department of
Health
401-222-2438 |
WISCONSIN (Safety)
Department of Commerce, Division
of Marketing, Advocacy and
Technology Development,
Bureau of Manufacturing and
Assessment
262-523-3044 or 800-947-0553 |
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Department of Health and Human
Services
603-271-2024 |
SOUTH CAROLINA
Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation
803-734-9614 |
WYOMING
Department of Employment,
Workers’ Safety and
Compensation Division
307-777-7786 |
NEW JERSEY
Department of Labor, Division of
Public Safety and Occupational
Safety and Health
609-292-3923 |
SOUTH DAKOTA
Engineering Extension, Onsite
Technical Division, South Dakota
State University
605-688-4101 |
|
NEW MEXICO
Environment Department,
Occupational Health and Safety
Bureau
505-827-4230 |
TENNESSEE
OSHA Consultation Services
Division, Department of Labor
615-741-7036 |
|
NEW YORK
Division of Safety and Health
518-457-2238 |
TEXAS
Workers’ Health and Safety
Division, Workers’ Compensation
Commission
512-804-4640
OSHCON Request Line:
800-687-708 |
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