The Institute responds directly to requests for assistance from businesses, workers, and State agencies. From 1980 to 1989, about 41 Arizona workers died each year as a result of workplace injury. For 1989-90, Arizona had the 12th largest number of silicosis deaths in the country.
Assistance is given to the states on various occupational health matters.
Farming is one of the few occupations in which families, who share the work and live on the premises, are also at risk for injuries, illness, and death. These injuries resulted in 28,317 lost days of work to Arizona farmers and farm workers. The University developed training programs to teach future farmers about tractor safety, model farm safety programs for agriculture students and farm operators, procedures for Arizona emergency medical service departments to rescue injured farmers, and training programs for rescue personnel statewide. The program also conducts hazard assessments at farms to identify health and safety risks and makes recommendations to prevent hazards. No comparable service exists in the United States.