Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health

Key points

  • 12 Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health address occupational safety and health in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector.
  • Centers conduct research, education, and prevention projects through cooperative agreements.
  • Centers are located across the U.S. to be responsive to unique regional safety and health needs.
Tractor in agricultural field

Overview

The Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health address pressing health and safety problems in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AgFF) sector. NIOSH funds 12 Centers through cooperative agreements to conduct research, education, and prevention projects.

NIOSH established the Agricultural Centers in 1990 as part of an Agricultural Health and Safety Initiative. AgFF workers continue to experience the highest fatal injury rate of all industries. In 2022, there were 18.6 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, compared to 3.7 deaths per 100,000 workers for all U.S. industries.

Eleven of the Centers work on a range of agricultural health and safety topics. The has a more specific mission. It addresses the needs of children and families who live and work on farms across the country.

Centers

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Map of US with locations of Ag Centers marked.
Ag Centers address the health and safety issues unique to each region.
  1. at Basset Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, NY.
  2. at Colorado State University.
  3. at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in Marshfield, WI.
  4. at the University of California, Davis.
  5. at the University of Florida.
  6. at the University of Iowa.
  7. at the University of Kentucky.
  8. at the University of Minnesota.
  9. at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
  10. at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.
  11. at the University of Washington.
  12. at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Program priorities

  • Develop and conduct research related to the prevention of occupational disease and injury in the AgFF sector.
  • Develop and implement model educational outreach, and intervention programs promoting AgFF health and safety.
  • Develop and implement model programs for the prevention of illness and injury among AgFF workers.
  • Evaluate AgFF injury and disease prevention and educational materials and programs implemented by the Centers.
  • Provide consultation and/or training to those in a position to improve the health and safety of AgFF workers. This includes researchers, health and safety professionals, graduate/professional students, and agricultural extension agents and others.
  • Develop linkages and communication with other governmental and non-governmental bodies involved in AgFF health and safety. NIOSH places special emphasis on communications with other ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø/NIOSH sponsored programs related to agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Man wearing cap bending over in field to pick crops; sun shining brightly.
Several Centers work to reduce heat stress for agricultural workers.

Activities and progress

Annual Reports

Keep Reading: FY 2020 Highlights: Centers for Agriculture Safety and Health

Collaboration

Centers collaborate on national events and projects, including the Centers' . The Centers also work with the NIOSH AgFF Program on topics such as

Funding sources

The cooperative agreement for the Centers historically runs in five-year cycles. The current cooperative agreement under has a project cycle from 2022-2026. Previously, NIOSH funded Centers from 2016-2021 under .

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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health