Immigrant workers make up nearly half of the dairy labor force and dairies employing immigrants produce 79% of the US milk supply. However, most workers receive no safety training. Producers and immigrant workers successfully tested a model program to address on-the-farm safety needs from hazard reduction to worker training. It developed a train-the-trainer curriculum that was later adopted by OSHA as an approved curriculum and utilizes Community Health Workers. …

Many people are not familiar with the risks associated with visiting a working farm. Agritourism events, including school field trips, petting zoos, county fairs and similar venues, are an increasingly popular way for people to experience agriculture. UMASH and the Minnesota Department of Health have collaborated to offer Healthy Fairs and Agritourism workshops and other resources. …

A major source of anxiety for the cow or the pig is people. Stressed cattle and pigs are more difficult to handle and this puts workers at an increased risk of accidents. UMASH collaborated with dairy scientists at the University of Minnesota to produce educational materials related to stockmanship or low stress handling. …

Needlestick injury research shows that over 80% of farm workers and 73% of swine veterinarians working in animal agriculture have accidentally stuck themselves. UMASH addressed the problem of needlestick injury by developing educational tools for farm managers, workers and veterinarians. …