Safety awareness among New York farmers

Background This study was conducted to assess the health status and safety practices among year-round adult farm workers and residents and included a telephone interview survey of 1,727 persons from 552 farms. Methods Logistic regression was used to analyze four safety questions. Results Among 541 farm owner/operators significant predictors of making sub stitutions in the use of chemicals and major changes to equipment include y ounger age, more persons assisting on the farm, and higher gross sales. Hav ing training is associated with having more than a high school education. A mong all participants the perception that personal protective equipment are useful is associated with being younger male, an owner/operator or worker, and having at least a high school education. Conclusions These findings suggest that older and less educated farmers sho uld be targeted for health and safety programs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 38:71-81, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.