Farmworker Safety and Health

Farmworker Safety and Health webinar archive for April 16, 2024. This webinar is part of the "Cultivating Caution: A Monthly Guide to Farm Safety & Health" webinar series and featured Josie M. Rudolphi, PhD from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois discussing farmworker safety and health. She covered the demographics and employment characteristics of the hired agricultural workforce, especially Hispanic and Latino farmworkers.

Rudolphi described the hazards contributing to injuries and illnesses among farmworkers like machinery, livestock, repetitive movements, heat, pesticide exposure, and more. She also explained how social and economic factors like low wages, substandard housing, lack of health insurance, immigration status fears, and others exacerbate health risks for this vulnerable population.

The presentation highlighted organizations in Illinois providing resources, services and outreach to improve farmworker safety and wellbeing. These include the Great Lakes Center for Farmworker Health and Well-Being, Illinois Extension programs like Illinois AgrAbility, Community Health Partnerships clinics, stress assistance programs, and advocacy groups.

Rudolphi emphasized the essential role farmworkers play in U.S. agriculture despite facing disproportionate occupational hazards and barriers to care. The webinar aimed to raise awareness of these issues and the efforts underway to cultivate a safer, healthier agricultural workforce.

00:00 Introduction
01:11 Farm Labor
12:34 Injuries
15:00 Illnesses
25:07 Barriers to Care
29:41 Farmworker Serving Organizations
40:48 Wrap-up