Agricultural Health and Safety

M. K. O'Malley, James D. Ellis, Michael K. O'Malley, andJames D. Ellis
Other Contacts: Amy Vu

This document offers African honey bee (AHB) related recommendations and precautions specific to outdoor workers in Florida. Outdoor workers should be aware of the presence of AHBs in Florida. This awareness should include a healthy respect and caution toward all stinging insects and a realization of the importance of honey bees nationwide. Furthermore, it may be helpful for outdoor workers to know some basic biological and behavioral characteristics of AHBs; this prior knowledge is presupposed for the recommendations in this document.

Serap Gorucu

This report summarizes Florida’s AgFF-related fatalities for 2020. This report helps to identify hazards and risks associated with agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Written by Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 2021.

Melissa J. Vilaro, Lugthea D. Pelissier, Wendy Wood, Samara Purvis, Joshua K. Payne, Felicia Marable-Williams, Wanda Adorno, Hillary MacMichael, Brenda L. Marty-Jimenez, Isabella Alobele, Laura Valencia, Andrea M. Nikolai, Nelly Nelson, andYesenia A. Rodriguez

To address the health needs of Floridians, Sun Safe Workspace was developed and offered by UF/IFAS Extension professionals. This tailored program aims to fill an identified gap in cancer prevention programming through classroom or community learning. This Ask IFAS series aims to provide information and resources on the negative effects of UV exposure and to implement consistent sun safety practices. This publication provides an overview of Florida’s tailored sun safety Extension program for outdoor professionals. Written by Melissa J. Vilaro, Lugthea D. Pelissier, Wendy Wood, Samara Purvis, Joshua K. Payne, Felicia Marable-Williams, Wanda Adorno, Hillary MacMichael, Brenda L. Marty-Jimenez, Isabella Alobele, Laura Valencia, Andrea M. Nikolai, Nelly Nelson, and Yesenia A. Rodriguez, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, July 2026.

Melissa J. Vilaro, Lugthea D. Pelissier, Wendy Wood, Samara Purvis, Joshua K. Payne, Felicia Marable-Williams, Wanda Adorno, Hillary MacMichael, Brenda L. Marty-Jimenez, Isabella Alobele, Laura Valencia, Andrea M. Nikolai, Nelly Nelson, andYesenia A. Rodriguez

This publication provides an overview of the four tailored infographics created for the UF/IFAS Extension program called Sun Safe Workspace. The goal of each infographic was to communicate specific knowledge related to the importance of sun safety for cancer prevention, with a focus on outdoor professionals (or those who spend most of their working hours outside). We also present graphical elements that are used to facilitate cohesiveness among program materials. Written by Melissa J. Vilaro, Lugthea D. Pelissier, Wendy Wood, Samara Purvis, Joshua K. Payne, Felicia Marable-Williams, Wanda Adorno, Hillary MacMichael, Brenda L. Marty-Jimenez, Isabella Alobele, Laura Valencia, Andrea M. Nikolai, Nelly Nelson, and Yesenia A. Rodriguez, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, July 2026.

Serap Gorucu

This report summarizes fatal agricultural injury incidents in Florida between 2010 and 2019. This data is important for describing the size and characteristics of agricultural fatalities, populations at risk, risk factors, and temporal and spatial trends in injury rates. Written by Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 2021.

Serap Gorucu

The purpose of this report is to summarize Florida’s AgFF-related fatalities for 2021. This report helps to identify hazards and risks associated with agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Written by Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2023.

Robert Overstreet, Cassandra Ward, andSerap Gorucu

This publication examines nonfatal injuries and illnesses resulting from support activities for crop production and animal production workers in Florida. Written by Robert Overstreet, Cassandra Ward, and Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2022.

Michael T. Olexa and Christopher Hill

Circular 1139, a multi-part handbook by Michael T. Olexa and Ian Goldfarb, helps Floridians recognize which agricultural and household activities may involve solid and hazardous wastes. It also provides an introduction to the agencies and statutes that govern solid and hazardous waste disposal. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, December 2013.

Lucia Papadopulos, Cassandra Ward, andSerap Gorucu

This publication examines nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the state of Florida’s animal production subsector. Written by Lucia Papadopulos, Cassandra Ward, and Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, September 2022.

Tracy Irani, Beatrice Fenelon Pierre, and Tyler S. Nesbit

This publication aims to answer four questions regarding perceptions of occupational health and safety in the southeastern coastal states. Written by Tracy Irani, Beatrice Fenelon Pierre, and Tyler S. Nesbit, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, October 2021.

Serap Gorucu, Charles M. Brown, andCarol Lehtola

This publication summarizes the parts of the OSHA Standard 1910.23 and 1910.28 that apply to fixed ladders. Written by Serap Gorucu, Charles Brown, and Carol Lehtola, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, April 2022.

Serap Gorucu

The purpose of this report is to summarize Florida’s Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (AgFF)-related fatalities for 2022 and 2023. This report helps to identify hazards and risks associated with AgFF. This report can be used for developing injury prevention plans. Written by Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, November 2024.

Serap Gorucu andYiannis Ampatzidis

This publication presents drone-related injury statistics and safety recommendations to prevent drone-related injuries. Written by Serap Gorucu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2021.

Serap Gorucu, Charles Brown, and Carol Lehtola

This publication summarizes the parts of the OSHA Standard 1910.23 that apply to the portable ladders that are frequently used in agricultural operations. Written by Serap Gorucu, Charles Brown, and Carol Lehtola, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, April 2022.

Joelle Francois, Cassandra Ward, andSerap Gorucu

This publication examines nonfatal injuries and illnesses among crop production workers in Florida. Written by Joelle Francois, Cassandra Ward, and Serap Gorucu, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2022.

Serap Gorucu, Madison Moore, andNikolay Bliznyuk

This report summarizes logging truck-related crashes in Florida. It discusses crash characteristics, vehicles, traffic violations, injuries, key findings, and recommendations for safety. Written by Serap Gorucu, Madison Moore, and Nikolay Bliznyuk, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2024.

Shawn Steed and Alicia Whidden

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management