This year, the Purdue Agriculture TEAM Award, which has recognized the interdisciplinary team achievements of faculty and staff since 1995, has been awarded to the Gearing Up for Safety: Production Agricultural Safety Training for Youth initiative. This program addresses the specific safety needs of young workers in agriculture – a sector often associated with hazardous tasks, especially for youth under the age of 16.
According to the Fair Labors Standard Act, 11 agricultural activities are deemed particularly dangerous for minors. However, through an exception authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor, Cooperative Extensive Service and High School Agricultural Science programs are allowed to provide safety training that permits youth ages 14 and 15 to perform these tasks when working for hire on a farm.
Funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Gearing Up for Safety equips agricultural communities with the necessary tools to deliver federally approved safety training to workers aged 14-19. By offering a proven curriculum, practical resources and planning suggestions, Gearing Up for Safety works to reduce farm injuries and health risks while preparing the next generation of agricultural workers for safe employment. The program is particularly valuable for farm and ranch owners, especially those exempt from federal regulations, who seek to ensure a safer working environment for their young employees.
For over 30 years, the Gearing Up for Safety initiative has been committed to delivering relevant, accessible and impactful safety education through innovative formats. From its early use of computer-based educational tools for high school students to its ongoing development of resources, this group of faculty, staff and collaborators continues to make strides in improving the health and safety measures on farms across the country.” -Bernie Engel, Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture
From its inception, Gearing Up for Safety has continually adapted to new technologies. Originally distributed on CD, the program is now accessible online and free to download, making it widely available for educators, employers and youth workers nationwide. California, Indiana, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin have adopted the curriculum and developed educational standards to ensure that youth engaged in agricultural employment meet their respective state safety standards. With nationwide reach and federal funding, Gearing Up for Safetyoffers 15 core lessons that have been successfully tested.
Upon completion, participants are eligible to receive certification under the Department of Labor’s Hazardous Occupation in Agriculture Order (HOOA), allowing them to operate tractors, machinery and perform other potentially hazardous agricultural tasks.
The dedicated team behind Gearing Up for Safety at Purdue University, representing Purdue Extension, Purdue IT and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, includes: Denise L. Heath (retired), Edward J. Sheldon, Glen C. Morris III, Kurt J. Lanzone, Mahmoud M. Nour, Martin Huseman, Melissa Rudolph, Peggy A. Ehlers (retired), Richard J. Fox, Roger L. Tormoehlen, Shawn G. Ehlers, William E. Field, Yuan-Hsin Cheng.
Additional team members include: Allen Furrer, Corey Honegger and Laura Maynard from Good Days Work, Angela Johnson from North Dakota State University, Brian French from Washington State University, consultant Justin Heath, Donald Haberline (retired) and Thomas Daugherty (retired) from Ivy Tech, Jim Versweyveld (retired) from Wisconsin Extension, Kirstin Ambrose from the University of North Carolina, Mart Frickin (retired) from Montana State University, Matthew Jordan from MJ Multimedia and Michelle Bachand from the University of Wisconsin.
