Personal Protective Equipment

A guide on selecting the right respirator for the right job.
Spanish Title: Guía Para La Selección De Respirador Agrícola

episode of Talking Total Farmer Health

Learn how to use Anhydrous Ammonia safely when doing farm work.
Spanish Title: Consejos de Seguridad para Agricultores sobre Gas Amoniaco (NH3)

The information provided in this guide is intended as general guidelines for exposures to Avian Influenza.

Farmers and agricultural workers are routinely exposed to a wide variety of chemicals. Toxicity Category I and II organophosphates (OPs) and N-methyl carbamates are cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides commonly used in agriculture to kill insects or prevent them from damaging or destroying crops. Over-exposure to these chemicals results in the inhibition of the enzyme cholinesterase (ChE) which is utilized in the body’s conducting tissue, such as nerve and muscle motor sensory fibers. Acute toxic effects can include confusion, headache, and even loss of consciousness. Severe inhibition of ChE in the body can result in muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, seizures, coma, and death. Currently, there is no practice standard or national medical surveillance program for cholinesterase monitoring.

Check out AgriSafe Community Health Nurse Linda Emanuel and her presentation “Can the Bandana….Use an N95”.

Spanish language guide on how to use Anhydrous Ammonia safely when doing farm work.
English Title: Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Tips for Farmworkers

The purpose of this Spanish language guide is to help individuals better understand the difference between a Fit Test and a User Seal Check.
English Title: Knowing the Difference: Fit Test vs User Seal Check

Syngenta has collaborated with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to create Dress for Success!, a resource for farm employers and employees regarding basic PPE principles and practices to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in handling a pesticide.

A guide on selecting the right respirator for the right job.
English Title: Agricultural Respirator Selection Guide

Determine your head to toe protection needs using this guide based on agriculture exposures.

A guide created specifically for women on PPE when working with grain.

A guide created specifically for men on PPE recommendations when working with grain.

A guide created specifically for women on PPE when working with pesticides.

A guide created specifically for men on PPE recommendations when working with pesticides.

A guide created specifically for women on PPE when working with swine.

A guide created specifically for men on PPE recommendations when working with swine.

Adapting the OSHA Hearing Conservation Program to Agriculture

Last updated on July 17th, 2024 at 01:03 pmThis guidebook is part of the Invest in Your Health “Personal Protective Equipment” curriculum for ag educators. Click “view” to download the PDF. Last Updated: August …

The purpose of this guide is to help individuals better understand the difference between a Fit Test and a User Seal Check.
Spanish Title: Diferencia Entre La Prueba De Ajuste Y La Comprobación Del Sello Del Usuario

This OSHA publication provides a general overview of personal protective equipment requirements and selection.

“What is Safety? Chemicals” teaches the importance of staying safe while using, or being around, chemicals; whether that be on the farm or even in your house!

A guide on what to look for during an avian influenza outbreak.

This document describes the federal Worker Protection Standards for agricultural establishments.

A brief overview of zoonotic disease and pregnancy.

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injuries in the agriculture industry in the United States. In this presentation, we will evaluate the current situation and possible solutions related to agricultural ATV safety. Potential injury preventative actions were evaluated based on the hierarchy of control, including elimination or substitution, engineering control, administrative authority, training, and personal protective equipment. 

Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is an effective nitrogen crop fertilizer used throughout the Midwest and beyond.  Anhydrous ammonia is potentially dangerous, as it seeks water from the nearest source, which may be the human body – especially the eyes, lungs, and skin because of their high moisture content.  Few problems occur when anhydrous ammonia is handled properly and applied as intended.  However, it is important for all individuals working with this type of fertilizer to understand the potential health risks, necessary safety precautions, and proper response in the event of an exposure. Focus of the training is on anhydrous ammonia safety during transport and application, including the anatomy of the nurse tank and toolbar, safety inspection processes, hitching and unhitching safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), rural roadway safety, and first aid/emergency procedures.  Hazard communication and emergency action plans will also be addressed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for ensuring a safe working environment in agriculture. It is essential to utilize PPE that meets safety standards, is appropriate for your work, and is the proper fit. PPE is often designed with men in mind, making adequate fit and function problematic for women in agriculture. This training will address the different hazards in agricultural work and the appropriate PPE for women. Additionally, this training will review how to conduct both a respirator fit test and a fit check (seal check) procedure. This presentation aims to guide the selection and effectiveness of PPE worn by women in the agricultural field.

Respiratory protection strategies for women working in agriculture can be a challenge. Purchasing respiratory protective equipment and achieving proper fit is often difficult. This one-hour webinar program will address dangerous exposures in agricultural work and the importance of respiratory protective equipment for women. It will include training tips and evidence-based resources for use in clinical practice and worker education.

Farmers and agricultural workers are routinely exposed to a wide variety of chemicals. Toxicity Category I and II organophosphates (OPs) and N-methyl carbamates are cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides commonly used in agriculture to kill insects or prevent them from damaging or destroying crops. Over-exposure to these chemicals results in the inhibition of the enzyme cholinesterase (ChE) which is utilized in the body’s conducting tissue, such as nerve and muscle motor sensory fibers. Acute toxic effects can include confusion, headache, and even loss of consciousness. Severe inhibition of ChE in the body can result in muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, seizures, coma, and death. Currently, there is no practice standard or national medical surveillance program for cholinesterase monitoring.

The Chainsaw Safety training program is intended for workers and managers in the agricultural and forestry industries.  The major focus of the program is on the identification of and the safe operation of chainsaws.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 36,000 people are injured by chainsaws annually.

Last updated on January 12th, 2024 at 12:00 pm Confined spaces such as tanks and storage bins are recognized workplace hazards on agricultural production settings. Manure storage facilities are often not recognized as confined spaces, especially on dairy farms. These facilities meet the definition of a confined space as they can expose workers to toxic gases and other hazards. The purpose of this webinar is to present how manure storage facilities meet the definition of confined spaces, and the potential hazards associated with these …

Hazardous materials lurk around many corners of farm shops, buildings, and barns. The health impacts of organic and inorganic exposures can be mild to devastating. Be prepared and be ready to handle identifiable and nonidentifiable materials during everyday farm and ranch work as well as during emergencies. In this training, we will discuss action steps, strategies, and resources to protect individuals working and living on the ranch and farm.

Although 44% of Midwestern farmers reported noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) symptoms, less than one third report using hearing protection devices (HPDs) when working around loud noises. Few studies have evaluated which HPD models farmers prefer to wear, and how educational activities may influence this preference. Dr. Gibbs will be discussing current research on farmer’s priorities and preferences for HPD types, as well as the impact of several hearing conservation education activities.

This Hazard Communication Standard training program is intended for female workers and managers in the agricultural industry. This includes dairy farms and small farms that hire at-risk populations. The major focus of the program is on the identification of and the safe usage of chemicals and pesticides, along with respiratory protection.

Nurses in a variety of clinical settings who provide care for farm operators and farm youth are in a unique position to influence the noise mitigation behaviors of this high-risk and underserved group. In this Webinar designed for nurses caring for workers in production agriculture, learners will discuss methods of assessing worker exposure to hazardous noise, and evidence-based nursing approaches to protect workers from the negative effects of noise on hearing and worker well-being. 

This Train the Trainer course is designed for teachers, Extension staff, 4H and FFA leaders and others who work with young adults. Agriculture is ranked as one of the most dangerous occupations and involves workers and family members of all ages. Illness and injuries can be prevented if we use the right protective equipment for the job. This program will present an overview of common exposures in farming and ranching and identify appropriate personal protective equipment.

The business of agriculture presents a myriad of hazards, including exposures to dusts, molds, pesticides and other chemicals, gases, as well as welding fumes and particles. Deciding what protection to use to prevent acute and chronic respiratory diseases is confusing. In addition, just finding the right protective gear can be a challenge. This webinar will address those issues and provide information on the importance of fit testing and fit (seal) checks.

The OSHA respiratory standard requires a written respiratory protection program for situations in which permissible exposure levels (PELs) of airborne contaminants could be exceeded or when the employer requires use of respirators by workers. This training will assist agriculture-based employers who require respirator use to comply with the OSHA respiratory protection program standard. Training includes written worksite specific procedures, program evaluation, selection of an appropriate respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), training, fit testing, inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage, medical evaluation, work area surveillance and air quality standards.

Workers in the agricultural industry experience multiple hazardous respiratory exposures. It is important to understand these risks and to know the appropriate protective equipment to purchase and use. The female workforce often experiences a challenge finding the right protection with a proper fit. This 30-minute program will address both the risks and the right protective gear.

This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding. Floodwater can be contaminated by pollutants including sewage, human and animal feces, pesticides and insecticides, fertilizers, oil, asbestos, rusting building materials, and others.