Pilot Projects

The Pilot and Feasibility Program has been an essential component of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) since the Center was established in 2011. This program supports projects with funding up to $20,000 over 18 months. The program goal is to enable investigators to collect preliminary data to support the submission of grant applications for independent, longer-term, larger projects related to agricultural safety and health. The central hypothesis of this program is that pilot and feasibility projects funded from this Center will result in subsequent grant submissions that advance agricultural health and safety research or will result in development of new safety technologies, products, or enduring resources. The projects selected for support by this program must address a critical issue in agricultural safety and health.

Investigating the need for a ruggedized powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) for healthcare use in agricultural conditions

Principal Investigator: Elizabeth L. Beam, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing

Due to the size and importance of the agriculture industry in the United States, promoting a healthy agricultural workforce should become a priority.1 Farm employees often work in high-risk conditions, especially in terms of respiratory health.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE) exists in the agriculture industry to protect workers from these risks, such as two-strap respirators, cartridges with p100 filters, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs).3 We know from partnerships with CS-CASH in the past that education on respiratory protection in the Agricultural sector has been a challenge and is a relatively new emphasis since the early 2000s. Based on our current study of the limitations of these types of respiratory protection, this proposal would conduct research on a head-mounted, powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) helmet developed in collaboration with UNeTech and UNEMED in 2024 that could be used for agricultural purposes. Considering the challenges we have seen with current PAPRs and similar PPE and the ongoing need for improved farm worker protection, this product may be beneficial in several agricultural industries. Some common challenges with all PAPRs include bulky belted motors, loose tubing, and flimsy materials for disinfection and reuse. New loose-fitting PAPR technology is needed to make respiratory protection more functional for the agricultural environment, and easier to clean with a full view of the face to promote better communication among users. This study would allow for significant customer discovery work related to our device before seeking additional grant funding or reaching out to potential manufacturers. We believe better respiratory protection options are key to increasing routine use in agriculture.

The hidden costs of extreme weather: Assessing vulnerability and health impacts of extreme weather on US small family farmers

Principal Investigators:

Kristina W. Kintziger, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Amanda McHale, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Jennifer Russomanno, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events present significant challenges for small family farms, an industry that largely defines the Central States’ landscape. These events not only threaten agricultural production, but also pose significant risks to the physical and mental health of farmers. Understanding their specific needs is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. Building upon qualitative insights gathered from a pilot study that explored the experiences of small family farmers in Tennessee, this research proposal seeks to conduct a mixed methods study in Nebraska, gathering information through focus groups and development and testing of a survey targeting small family farmers. This study will allow us to understand the variability in farmers’ experiences of extreme weather across regions and test the effectiveness of the survey instrument, while also allowing us to compare how different weather patterns impact farmers’ needs and well-being.

Application of computer vision technology to monitor safety compliance in a public feed mill and grain science complex

Principal Investigators: Gretchen A. Mosher and Joshua M. Peschel, Iowa State University

The ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex (KFMGSC) opened in September 2023, and has hosted many visitors. Another large group who are frequently on-site at the KFMGSC are service and repair workers. A pilot study found that 30% of those entering the KFMGSC complied with posted PPE and affiliated safety requirements. Consequently, the overall goal of the project is to use computer vision methods as monitoring and surveillance tools for PPE and behavioral compliance by non-employee individual users of the KFMGSC at ISU. The study intends to serve as a proof-of-concept on the ability of computer vision technologies to detect non-compliance of safety protocols, enabling rapid identification, alert, and corrective action by facility managers. The project will provide baseline data on how computer vision could be used for safety purposes within the KFMGSC at ISU and within the disciplines of human-computer interaction and agricultural safety and health

Developing culturally and linguistically relevant grain handling safety education videos for Spanish-speaking agricultural workers

Principal Investigator: Catherine A. Rylatt, Grain Handling Safety Council

In the United States grain is handled daily in a variety of agricultural operations. Grain handling presents known safety risks. 2022 had the “highest total fatalities and highest nonfatal grain entrapment cases in a decade”. The majority of grain safety educational materials, particularly videos, are in English. However, 62% of agricultural workers report being most comfortable speaking Spanish and 29% report they could not speak English “at all”. The use of H-2A workers (93% are from Mexico) has also risen nationally. The Northern Plains region (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota) saw a 52% increase between 2020 and 2023. Analytics consistently rank the (English) grain bin entry procedures and Spanish language videos in the top 10 videos viewed on the U.S. (NIOSH) Agricultural Safety and Health Centers YouTube channel. This pilot project addresses the training materials gap by producing Spanish-language grain safety videos.

Public roadway safety behaviors of Central State Region farm vehicle operators

Principal Investigators: Josie M. Rudolphi and Sean Tormoehlen, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Roadway incidents involving farm vehicles and equipment have been found to be increasing and can cause serious injuries to agricultural producers. The proposed study will investigate agricultural producers in an eight-state region regarding their perceptions and beliefs about roadway incidents and safe operation of farm vehicles on roadways using the theoretical framework of the Health Belief Model. Producers will also be queried about their sleep quality and stress levels. Associations will be explored within the different constructs. The goal of this study is to identify the perception of agricultural producers to then be able to target the adoption of desired health behaviors in the future, such as seatbelt usage. Results will guide development of future intervention strategies to promote health behaviors that can reduce the risk of roadway incidents and serious injuries to agricultural producers.

Enhancing cattle handler safety through workforce skill assessment and engagement

Principal Investigator: Ruth Woiwode, Alfredo DiCostanzo, Ryan Klataske

Safety of livestock workers is a growing concern for agriculture. Skill is requisite for handler safety, yet the livestock industry has little empirical evidence to guide determination of fit, expertise, level of risk, or what skills cattle workers believe to be valuable. Currently, the livestock industry relies on self-reported years of experience (YOE) as an estimate of skill, while a reliable metric for evaluating skill has not been developed. Animal handling requires keen awareness and significant time to learn the principles of animal behavior, which are both limited under many occupational constraints. The objectives of this study are to: 1) evaluate job-specific skills of feedlot workers, 2) compare self-reported YOE and prior injury history to independently assess skill, 3) investigate workforce perceptions and safety attitudes through interviews and observations, and 4) gain a deeper understanding of the social factors influencing cattle handling skills, behaviors, and safety practices.

Leveraging satellite data and machine learning to protect outdoor workers from PM2.5 exposure in Nebraska

Principal Investigators:

Siddhi Munde and Kristina Kintziger, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Richard Remigio, National Institutes for Health

This research tackles a critical issue of PM2.5 exposure risks for outdoor workers in Nebraska, who are increasingly vulnerable due to rising wildfire events. Current air quality monitoring systems lack coverage in rural areas, leaving agriculture workers without real-time information. This proposal aims to fill this gap with two primary objectives: Aim 1 will develop PM2.5 exposure maps using historical data identifying high-exposure zones, while Aim 2 will create generate 1-day PM2.5 predictions using machine learning techniques. Both aims will integrate satellite-derived PM2.5 data, ground monitoring PM2.5 data. A user-friendly platform will ensure outdoor workers and employers can access these forecasts in real-time, facilitating informed decisions on work schedules and safety measures. With expertise in environmental health and machine learning, our team is well-equipped to deliver first tool for Nebraska to mitigate PM2.5 exposure risks, particularly during high-risk air pollution events, to protect worker health in rural and agricultural settings.

Video series - Personal protective equipment for protection against zoonotic disease

Principal Investigator: Carolyn Sheridan, Ag Health and Safety Alliance

This project aims to create a series of engaging and informative videos on respiratory and eye protection in those potentially exposed to zoonotic disease. By collaborating with a professional media studio, the project will produce three 4-5 minute videos, as well as ~8 shorter 15-30 second clips for social media. These videos will be disseminated through multiple channels, including CS-CASH, the U.S. Ag Center YouTube channel, and the Gear Up for Ag™ online platform. By tracking viewership and engagement, the project will assess the impact of the videos and identify areas for future improvement and partnership. The new video series in both English and Spanish will also incorporate recent advancements in respiratory and eye protection knowledge and will include best practices for PPE selection, fit, and use. By tailoring the content to the specific needs of agricultural workers, including young adults and women, the project aims to improve respiratory health and safety outcomes. In addition, the project aims to more correctly address cultures and backgrounds with different face shapes and sizes (i.e., facial anthropometric differences).