Agricultural production, which commonly encompasses farming, consistently ranks among the industries with the highest
rates of work-related injuries and deaths
in the United States and is unique with respect to children and adolescents. This
is the only industry in which the
workplace is often also a home. Youth, children and adolescents, who commonly work on farms are exposed to agricultural
production hazards. Research is needed
to expand the knowledge base for the
development and implementation of effective and appropriate intervention
strategies.
Adults are the primary agent for determining the safety of youth on farms. Understanding and identifying the factors which cause adults to adopt protective activities for youth on their farms or cease activities which increase risk for youth are important to prevention efforts. Identifying barriers and developing methods for overcoming these barriers are essential to successful intervention efforts.
Farm families participating in the study will assist University of Georgia researchers to determine the best strategies for adults to help keep youth safe on farm. The project is funded by The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). It is a three year research project beginning August 1, 2007.
