Practical Safety and Health Risk Management in Production Agriculture: Report on the 2011 ASHCA Workshop

ABSTRACT

Proven, evidence-based strategies were highlighted during “Practical Safety and Health Risk Management in Production Agriculture,” a Workshop hosted by the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA), January 7, 2011, at Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. The Workshop was co-located with AG CONNECT Expo 2011, a world trade show. The Workshop held special appeal to risk managers, agricultural employers, and insurers. Further, it provided insights for researchers and academics regarding future needs. The overriding principle that “being safe equates to being profitable” was evident. At a time when business—including agribusiness—is increasingly viewed as a major cause of social, environmental, and economic problems, employee safety can be embraced as a shared value by both business and society. Topics included culturally relevant training, safety competitions, training with a mobile safety trailer, reducing insurance premiums, and outcomes of a statewide agricultural safety certification program.

Keywords:

• Agribusiness
• agriculture
• safety
• interventions