Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

A discussion of 2010-15 project objectives, committee member participation, operational requirements, timing of activities, progress, National Award Submission. The NCERA197 project was selected as a regional winner of a 2014 National Excellence in Multistate Research Awards. Objective 1. Confined Spaces White Paper Dissemination Plan Discussion Dissemination plans for the white paper on confined spaces were created. Bill Field explained that progressed had slowed but that the layout was being completed by a designer. Cover shots had been selected and plans were in place to print a few copies for dissemination to experiment station directors. Additional plans were discussed on how electronic distribution could be utilized with pdf links on eXtension, extension.org and the NIOSH agricultural safety and health page. The confined space issue was going to be around and the paper indicates that the committee has served as an indication of how the Land Grant System is addressing the problems. Objective 2. Collaboration with other organizations to host conference on confined spaces Discussion focused on conference and collaborative events for education on the confined spaces issue in agriculture. Details were provided regarding conferences and training programs that have been hosted collaboratively with other organizations including grain companies, workers compensation groups, as well as OSHA. Dennis Murphy provided an update that Penn State will be working on hosting a training conference with NRCS regarding manure storage safety and gases. Discuss was also provided on the completion of MRASH and ISASH in 2012. Objective 3. Encourage research and outreach at Land Grant universities that utilizes their expertise in addressing safety and health issues associated with agricultural confined spaces Additional comments indicated that the confined space issue is broad can cross-link other multi-state projects including post-harvest grain quality, biomass, pontoon lagoon agitation and livestock housing. Participants were encouraged to seek out those potential collaborators for future funding and programming efforts. Objective 4. Encourage new and Objective 4. Encourage new and improved American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering standards An update on the revisions and approval status of Standard 690 in ASABE was provided. A report on the revised grain bin standard was provided and that it would focus more on prevention rather than rescue. Bill Field also provided an update on the Hitch Pin standard approval status. Dee Jepsen reported the lighting and marking standard was approved last year. Dennis Murphy reported there was a front end loader standard being considered . Objective 5: Identify the next high priority topic from the National Agenda for Action document to be addressed by the committee A discussion on the teleconference conducted concerning fall related injuries and hazards in agriculture was initiated. A subcommittee to focus on the falls in agriculture was created. Marshall Martin provided updates on key deadlines for NCERA-197 project renewal submission. Committee members brainstormed ideas regarding issues and justification for project renewal. Ideas generated included Public Perception and compliance issues, mental health, impact of training, sensors and technology, and robotics and automation safety. Objective 6. Work to increase infrastructure support for agricultural safety and health within the Land Grant System A report on the eXtension community of practice was provided. Other opportunities to collaborate and network with other disciplines were discussed.