Comparing Occupational Health and Safety Management System Programming with Injury Rates in Poultry Production

ABSTRACT

Effective methods to reduce work-related injuries and illnesses in animal production agriculture are sorely needed. One approach that may be helpful for agriculture producers is the adoption of occupational health and safety management systems. In this replication study, the authors compared the injury rates on 32 poultry growing operations with the level of occupational health and safety management system programming at each farm. Overall correlations between injury rates and programming level were determined, as were correlations between individual management system subcomponents to ascertain which parts might be the most useful for poultry producers. It was found that, in general, higher levels of occupational health and safety management system programming were associated with lower rates of workplace injuries and illnesses, and that Management Leadership was the system subcomponent with the strongest correlation. The strength and significance of the observed associations were greater on poultry farms with more complete management system assessments. These findings are similar to those from a previous study of the dairy production industry, suggesting that occupational health and safety management systems may hold promise as a comprehensive way for producers to improve occupational health and safety performance. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of such systems to reduce farm work injuries and illnesses. These results are timely given the increasing focus on occupational safety and health management systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Farm safety
• Form 33
• injury and illness prevention program
• OSHA
• SHARP

Funding

This research was made possible by support from the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (grant no. U54 OH008085) and the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (grant no. T42 OH009229). Additional support was provided by the Montana Tech Training Project Grant (grant no. T03 OH008630). The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Additional information

Funding

This research was made possible by support from the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (grant no. U54 OH008085) and the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (grant no. T42 OH009229). Additional support was provided by the Montana Tech Training Project Grant (grant no. T03 OH008630). The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.