February 15, 2017

​Regional

Produce safety workshops in Montana

• Montana’s produce farmers are being offered training in good agriculture practices (GAP) in March.
• Food safety experts will be leading three workshops focused on guiding growers toward establishing food safety plans.
• This workshop will teach food safety, mitigation techniques, how to implement food safety measures,  and general guidelines of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

​National

US Domestic animals/livestock are not zika hosts

• Researchers at Colorado State and Kansas State Universities author article confirming US livestock species do not host zika virus (unlike non-human primates).
• This is good news for people living around or working in animal production among Zika affected regions, since they won’t need to take further protective measures.
• This doesn’t mean livestock producers should avoid mosquito control, because standing water in troughs and drainage areas can be ideal for Aedes mosquitoes (which transmit Zika virus to people).

K-State Today

​International

Venezuelans turn to poaching in the face of food crisis

• The fall in oil prices has impacted the economy in Venezuela, which is at a critical low point, severely limiting food and medicine availability.
• Some Venezuelans are turning to harvesting vulnerable wildlife (and feral animals) to meet their nutritional needs.
• Scientists are raising concern that these supplemental food items are more likely to pose health risks from viruses or bacteria that could lead to human disease.

Fox News World – Venezuelans stave off hunger

Jacob R. DeVries, DVM
Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident

Questions, comments, feedback about today’s Daily News?
Please email Dr. DeVries, ​jdevries​@​umn.edu​

​February 14, 2017

News: Injury

Worker Injury at Perdue Poultry Plant

• There was a work-related accident at a Perdue Poultry plant in Delaware.
• The accident involved a female associate who suffered serious injuries to one of her arms that required hospitalization.
• Another work-related accident occurred on the same day at the nearby Mountaire chicken processing plant.

ABC47​

Study: Disability

Studying Work and Physical Strain in Farmers with Disabilities

• A study was conducted to assess strain and ergonomic needs in farmers with disabilities with work induced strain being measured by heart rate, muscle activity, and the rating of perceived exertion.
• At the conclusion of the study, all participants had some form of work that they were unable to perform, but the farmers with disabilities were still able to perform work-related tasks considered to be of light or moderate strain.
• Some of the most important ergonomic changes that were needed during the study involved ergonomie redesigning of tractors that allowed the farmers with disabilities to perform work-related tasks with less strain.

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics​

Resources

Farm Safety Facts and Resources

• Agriculture is the most hazardous industry in Minnesota according to the Minnesota Safety Council.
• The Minnesota Safety Council provides many resources to the public regarding safety in agriculture-related work including brochures, Federal OSHA Farm Safety Fact Sheets, studies, and sources from UMASH.
• There is also an opportunity for employers and farmers to qualify for up to $10,000 through the Safety Grants Program for projects designed to reduce the risk of work-related injury or illness in agricultural work.

Minnesota Safety Council

Jonathan M. Chapman, DVM, MPH, CPH​
Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine Resident

Questions, comments, feedback about today’s UMASH Daily News?
Please email Dr. Chapman, ​chapm259@umn.edu