Risto Rautiainen, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health

University of Nebraska Medical Center
College of Public Health

Professional Summary

• 2009-Present  Associate Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, UNMC
• 2003-2009  Assistant Professor, Dept. of Occupational & Environmental Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• 2001-2009 Deputy Director, Great Plains Center for Ag. Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• 2000-2001 Associate Director, Great Plains Center for Ag. Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• 1994-2000 Coordinator, Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
• 1991-1994 Farm Safety Consultant, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
• 1987-1991 Head of Occupational Safety Department, Farmers Social Insurance Institution (MELA), Espoo, Finland
• 1985-1987 Safety Agronomist, Farmers Social Insurance Institution (MELA), Espoo, Finland

Education

• PhD  Occupational & Environmental Health, University of Iowa, 2002
• Certificate Occupational Health & Safety, University of Manitoba, 1994
• MS Agriculture, University of Helsinki, 1986

Research Interest & Projects

My research interests include the following: agricultural and occupational health and safety; intervention effectiveness research; injury epidemiology; agricultural safety engineering; health and safety training, education, and outreach; economics of occupational health and safety; and risk management.

Selected Publications

• Rautiainen R, Ledolter J, Ohsfeldt R, Donham K, Zwerling C. Risk factors for serious injury in Finnish agriculture. Am J Ind Med. 2009 Apr; 52:419-428.
• Rautiainen R, Lehtola M, Day L, Salminen S, Schonstein E, Suutarinen J. Interventions for preventing injuries in the agriculture industry. The Cochrane Collaboration. Occupational Health Field. Systematic review. The Cochrane Library. February, 2008.
• Rautiainen RH, Ledolter J, Sprince NL, Donham KJ, Burmeister LF, Ohsfeldt R, Reynolds SJ, Phillips K, Zwerling C. Effects of premium discount on workers' compensation claims in agriculture in Finland. Am J Ind Med 48(2):100-9, Aug 2005.
• Rautiainen RH, Lange JL, Hodne CJ, Schneiders S, Donham KJ. Injuries in the Iowa Certified Safe Farm Study. J Agric Saf Health 10 (1):51-63, 2004.
• Rautiainen RH, Reynolds SJ. Mortality and morbidity in agriculture in the United States. J Agric Saf Health 8(3):259-276, 2002.
• DeRoo LA, Rautiainen RH. A systematic review of farm safety interventions. Am J Prev Med 18(4S):51-62, 2000.

Professional Affiliations

• American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
• National Institute for Farm Safety (NIFS)
• Agromedicine Consortium
• National Safety Council (NSC)