Developing a Fall Arrest System for Grain Bins
R. A. Aherin,* G. L. Riskowski
U.S. Department of Agriculture HATCH Funds

The purpose of this research is to design and test a system(s) that can be incorporated into the design of existing and new grain bins that will prevent falls and suffocation of persons who enter bins on farms. The intent is to develop a system that will allow workers to accomplish needed tasks and provide protection from falling through crusted over grain and suffocating or other fall-related injuries. A system has been designed and tested. The industry is currently being informed of the results. Future enhancement of the design may be necessary.

Disabled Farmers Project
R. A. Aherin,* R. E. Petrea
University of Illinois; U.S. Department of Agriculture

The primary objective of this project is to develop a model program that will provide comprehensive assistance to Illinois farmers with physical disabilities. This includes conducting research to identify the level of need for assistance among farmers in the state and the impact of services provided.

Farm Injury Medical System Surveillance
T. L. Nelson,* R. A. Aherin
Carle Foundation Hospital Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety

The purpose of this project is to develop and test a farm injury and illness surveillance system for three primary sources of data within a medical system. These include patient admittance to emergency rooms, hospitals, and clinics. The systems developed will be evaluated for reliability and ease of use by admittance personnel.

Coordinator for the Agricultural Safety and Health Network (ASH-NET)
R. E. Petrea*
W. K. Kellogg Foundation

This study uses qualitative methods to assess the group processes and leadership development strategies effective in continuing a national network of individual agricultural safety- and health-related projects. The coordinator role serves to facilitate the activities of a variety of university, medical center, and community-based entities in jointly addressing safety and health issues and catalyzing grassroots efforts to educate policy makers relevant to this arena.

Youth Teaching Youth-Are TASK Teens Ready to Teach?
R. E. Petrea,* R. A. Aherin, P. Buriak
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

This three-year research provides the first formal, overall evaluation of a prominent youth-teaching-youth model, the Illinois Easter Seal Society's Teaching Agricultural Safety to Kids (TASK). TASK trains secondary age FFA members to make presentations on agricultural and rural safety and health issues to elementary school students. Quasi-experimental quantitative, behavioral psychology, and qualitative methods are used to observe and evaluate the training that FFA members receive, to observe and appraise the presentations that FFA members make in elementary schools, and to test the immediate and one-year impacts of TASK presentations on elementary students.