The fields may be quiet, but the machine shops are buzzing. Yes, winter is a great time to perform repairs and maintenance on farm machinery. Keep yourself and those around you safe by following these tips: [Read more…]
Health and Safety Highlight: Prioritize Safety Year-Round, 5 Keys to Safe Winter Equipment Maintenance
The Show Must Go On(line) – 2020 Ag Progress Days Virtual Experience
Continuing a 50-year tradition, Penn State’s Ag Progress Days, brought to you by their College of Agricultural Sciences, is a one-stop shop this week, August 9-12, 2020, for the latest research, management practices, and regulations in agriculture.
This year, Penn State Extension educators and faculty have come together to provide a FREE virtual learning program filled with the latest in Ag research and best practices. This event is being offered at no charge to participants, but registration is required to receive the link to access a webinar. Even if you missed a day or a session, all registrants will receive access to the webinar recordings.
Online registrants can choose from more than 46 live webinars and get questions answered by the experts. Just check out the the live webinar schedule and register online. [Read more…]
NJ Ag & Health Urge Use of Free COVID-19 Testing For Farm Workers
Earlier this week, NJ Secretary of Ag Douglas Fisher released this attached letter, co-signed by Dept of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, urging all growers with farm labor to take advantage of opportunities to help protect your employees from COVID-19.
As the letter states,
“One program that is being implemented FREE OF CHARGE for all farms is a COVID-19 testing and education program through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and local health departments. Along with free testing, the program provides education and other related support services. [Read more…]
Free Webinar: Agricultural Health and Safety Course for Medical and Safety Professionals
This information is being provided in the Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory newsletter to get the word out about free training for medical and safety professionals in your communities. With less and less people in our communities understanding the agricultural industry, this training can be helpful in responding to agricultural emergencies. Please help get the word out to your county and local emergency management and health officials who may wish to participate. However, everyone is welcome to attend and register.
A nationwide, no-cost online webinar starting July 14-17, 2020 is being hosted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Registration is required and continuing education credits will be offered for physicians, nurses and EMS personnel. Registration is due July 7, 2020.
The Agricultural Health and Safety Course for Medical and Safety Professionals is designed to examine key health and safety issues specific to rural and agricultural workers. Experts will present course material relevant to those working in health care, public health, education, and safety professions.
This course is intended for professionals who work with or have an interest in agricultural health and safety including physicians, nurses, emergency medical responders, physician assistants, health educators, advanced practice nurses, Ag extension, migrant health clinicians, physical therapists, insurance specialists, veterinarians, safety professionals, and students.
This course is going to be provided via Zoom and supplemented with online modules.
•Session A: Agricultural Health — July 14-15, 2020
•Session B: Agricultural Safety and Prevention — July 16-17, 2020
•Session C: Special Topics — Online modules will be available starting July 14, 2020
Course Objectives:
At the completion of the course, the participant should be better able to:
1. Evaluate the core elements of agricultural medicine
2. Integrate the anticipation, recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of occupational and environmental illnesses and injuries within rural and agricultural communities
3. Qualify to become an AgriSafe Provider in order to develop sustainable agricultural occupational health and safety delivery programs within their regions
Even if this program saves one life, it will be worth attending.
Recorded Webinar Posted – COVID-19 Guidance for Ag Workers/Employers
- There have been no changes to the document since it was published, but one major point of discussion that you will hear in the recording was a comment made by a presenter that temperature monitoring should use a 99oF threshold instead of the 100.4oF threshold that was published in the guideline. Monique Purcell, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who had worked closely with the NJDOH and NJDOL reps in development of the guidance document received clarification from them the next day that confirmed that the threshold remains 100.4oF.
- The other point addressed by several speakers was the need to work with and invite the FQHCs to your farm. They are charged with helping to educate your farm workers to understand this disease, how it spreads, and how to protect themselves (the importance of physical distancing and wearing face masks), as well as to provide testing for all employees on your farm, including the owner and family members working on the farm, free of charge.
*The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar reviews these guidelines.
Tonight’s Webinar for Ag Employers – Updated Agenda
This event requires registration and there will be a follow-up survey.
- Rick VanVranken & Wes Kline, Agricultural Agents, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
- Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, NJ Dept. of Agriculture
- Asst. Secretary of Agriculture Monique Purcell, NJDA
- NJ Dept. of Health
- Amanda Medina-Forrester, MA, MPH, Executive Director, Office of Minority & Multicultural Health &
- Siobhan Pappas, Ph.D., Coordinator, Childhood Lead Program
- NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development
- Christine Blumauer, Policy Advisor, Office of the Commissioner
- Comments from Federally Qualified Health Center representatives
- Michelle Blanchfield, MPH, Zufall Health
- Bridget Hogan, Ocean Health Initiatives
- Pete Furey, Exec. Director, NJ Farm Bureau
The NJDOH partnered with the NJDA and the NJDOL to create this guidance for agricultural employers focusing on precautions to help protect farm employees from COVID-19 on New Jersey farms and in farm labor housing. This webinar will review these guidelines. Questions from participants will be taken and addressed during the webinar.