Evaluation of the Agricultural Safety and Health Best Management Practices Manual.

The Agricultural Safety and Health Best Management Practices (ASHBMP) Manual was developed as an alternative intervention tool to help identify and correct farmwork hazards. A modified pretest-posttest control group experimental design was used to test the effectiveness of the manual with three intervention groups and a control. Testing consisted of conducting baseline and post-intervention audits on 150 farms in Pennsylvania. Significant differences were found among groups of farmers who were given the ASHBMP Manual and those who were not given the manual. The results of the data analysis also showed a positive significant difference among farmers who reduced their farm hazard levels through use of the ASHBMP Manual over farmers who received the Control (traditional safety fact sheets). The data supports the conclusion that the ASHBMP Manual is an effective tool for helping farmers reduce workplace hazards.