Recommendations for addressing barriers to respirator fit testing among farmers and agricultural workers
Creators: name: Smaellie, Emma Kate
Publisher: name: University of Iowa
Year: 2023
Subjects: public abstract

description: Agriculture continues to be one of the most hazardous occupations with a fatality rate of 20 per 100,000 FTE workers. Despite farming’s integral role in society, there are few OSHA regulations that apply to farms due to certain exemptions. Agricultural workers are exposed to a wide variety of airborne hazards including gases, chemicals, crop and animal products, pesticides, dusts, and pathogens. These exposures put farmers at risk for developing acute and chronic health effects, with some exposures causing death. Occupational safety and health experts recommend farmers wear respirators for many frequently performed tasks, although many do not. To ensure respirators fit properly, users should be fit tested. Many farmers have never been fit tested for a respirator and do not have access to fit testing within their communities.
description: This study was administered in two parts to make recommendations for future research and outreach aimed at increasing access to respirator fit testing across farming communities. The purpose of the first survey was to identify community organizations that could be trained to provide fit testing. The second survey identified educational resources agricultural instructors need as well as their interest in providing fit testing clinics within their local communities.
description: The first survey was conducted at Farm Progress Show, a regional farm expo. Questions included basic demographic information, agricultural experience, and farm operations. Other questions included respirator use, barriers to use, if they had ever been fit tested for a respirator, and preferences for fit testing locations. One identified organization included local chapters of FFA as a possible fit testing clinic provider.
description: The second survey was administered to FFA instructors at the National FFA Convention. Questions were asked about teaching respiratory health and protection topics, resources used, and what resources they need. Questions were also asked about their willingness to be trained to provide fit testing, along with the financial feasibility of hosting a fit testing clinic.
description: Survey results from Farm Progress Show were analyzed to identify trends in preferred fit testing locations among Midwestern farmers based on age, gender, and state of residence. Most participants were either over 40 years old, male, or from the state of Iowa. Common barriers to wearing a respirator among agricultural workers included it not being a requirement, inconvenience, and lack of respirator knowledge and access. The most frequently preferred fit testing locations include extension offices, agribusinesses, healthcare providers, fire departments, and other community events and locations.
description: Data analysis from the FFA survey identified barriers to providing respiratory protection education and community fit testing clinics. Lack of knowledge and lack of resources were the top two barriers FFA instructors had when teaching respiratory protection. Of the participants, 56% indicated they would be interested in being trained and creating a community outreach project. Importantly, 75% said outreach projects were too expensive, identifying a barrier to hosting fit testing clinics.
description: Recommendations to increase fit testing access for farmers include: partnering with local organizations to offer fit testing clinics, and increasing grant funding available for these community partners, specifically agricultural instructors. To reduce associated costs, fit testing clinics could offer services based on available resources, charge fees, and encourage farmers to bring their own respirator. Offering community outreach grants and fit test clinics would significantly increase the availability and convenience for farmers to be fit tested and ensure they have the appropriate level of respiratory protection.