Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
AFF Program staff would routinely provide surveillance data so that intervention
initiatives can be appropriately targeted. Furthermore, periodic evaluation of AFF
surveillance mechanisms is needed to update procedures as work practices, hazards,
diseases, injuries, and worker populations change.
Health and hazard surveillance is central to the design of interventions for
the AFF sectors. Surveillance would be broad in light of the diversity of settings,
employment practices, and populations, such as female spouses, the elderly, and
children. Datasets would include demographic characteristics to assist in the iden-
tification of populations at risk. It has been noted that “hazard surveillance is the
assessment of the occurrence of, distribution of, and secular trends in levels of
hazards (toxic chemical agents, physical agents, biochemical stressors as well as
biological agents) responsible for disease and injury” (Halperin et al., 1992). Sur-
veillance would be continuous to monitor the effects of technological changes, geo-
graphic and other shifts in production, policies, population changes, and market
forces that affect AFF worksite organization and management. On occasion, special
non-routine surveillance efforts would be launched to address rapidly emerging
developments and unique populations of workers.
Surveillance is the cornerstone of a successful long-term program; it is a means
of identifying dangerous conditions and monitoring trends in AFF industries and
is aimed at prevention and knowledge translation. Surveillance of important risk
factors for injury and illness would be continuous so that the effects of technologi-
cal change, geographic and other types of shifts in production, population changes,
and other external factors can be monitored. Surveillance will rely on various
sources: in addition to federal or other government institutions, other sources
would be consulted, such as workers' compensation insurance records, death cer-
tificates, and hospital emergency room records. Trade association meetings and
conferences can also provide useful information on current trends.
For some industries and populations, it may prove necessary to commission
special surveillance studies. Such studies would be initiated by a group of experts
who meet jointly with carefully selected spokespersons representing important
subgroups of the population of interest.
The surveillance effort would regularly produce summary reports that are
carefully designed in collaboration with experts and that are made available to the
public through the Internet. Each AFF project would have priorities in surveillance
for not only gathering data but analyzing findings to assist NIOSH in establishing
research and intervention priorities.
Populations at Risk
Risk exposure is a component of research in occupational safety and health.
It is fundamental that increased risk exposure leads to a greater incidence of
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