Determinants of Occupational Safety for Agribusiness Workers

Abstract

Increases in crop yields and changing cropping patterns have placed stress on agribusiness handling and storage facilities. The objective of this research is to gain insight into the relationship between safety culture and safety performance, and to identify the determinants of safety culture in agribusinesses. The research suggests that investments in labor inputs such as increased training, consistent discipline, and recognition of safety achievements all increase safety culture. Furthermore, improvements in employee perceptions of safety culture have a positive impact on reducing employee injuries. Congress has recently funded nine centers to work on occupational health and safety research in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

Current trends in cooperative finance

“…The authors estimated that grain handlers (both cooperative and private) needed to invest $270 M to replace obsolete structures. Risch et al (2014) describe the changes in cropping patterns, farming practices, and crop yields which have necessitated these investments which led to increased supply and greater volumes of grain and oilseeds being handled by marketing cooperatives. These increases have placed stress on facilities which were not designed for the current throughput.…”

Research Priorities for Agricultural Cooperatives and their Farmer‐Members

“…However, Boland (2020) reports that the frequency of consolidation has increased substantially since 2000 and in areas of rapid crop yields, such as Iowa and Nebraska, consolidation has happened quickly in farm supply and grain and oilseed marketing cooperatives. Risch et al (2014) note that these cooperatives are undergoing significant changes brought upon by increases in crop yields as noted in corn by Beddow and Pardey (2015). Over the last decade, Bechdol, Gray, and Gloy (2010) note that the average planting and harvesting times have decreased by nearly 50%.…”

“…In addition, the USDA Rural Development continue such benchmarking studies of various cooperative sectors such as grain and oilseed marketing, and dairy. Risch et al (2014) is another example of how cooperatives have worked with universities on collaborative research to help collect data on occupational health and safety.…”