Health and safety hazards in Northwest agriculture: setting an occupational research agenda.
BACKGROUND
Agriculture is among the most hazardous occupations in the United States. Research can provide new insights about disease and injury and serve as the foundation for occupational health and safety policies. The determination of research priorities can be problematic. Public participation approaches offer opportunities to identify and integrate various perspectives.


METHODS
The agenda process was modeled on the NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda. Center staff contacted representatives of producer groups, labor, health care, academia, and public agencies to participate in telephone interviews and a daylong workshop.


RESULTS
Twelve research priorities were identified: musculoskeletal disorders; respiratory disease; skin disease; traumatic injuries; chemical exposures; special populations at risk; social and economic foundations of workplace safety; risk communication barriers; diagnostic approaches; hazard control technology; intervention effectiveness; and surveillance research methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The agenda process engaged stakeholders in priority setting. The resulting document is a useful guide for occupational safety and health in agriculture.
Fenske
Richard A
RA
Department of Environmental Health, Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. rfenske@u.washington.edu
Hidy
Adrienne
A
Morris
Sharon L
SL
Harrington
Marcy J
MJ
Keifer
Matthew C
MC
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D015205:Northwestern United States; D016272:Occupational Health; D012106:Research; D014481:United States