Farm Safety Services

We provide farm safety services at little or no cost to agricultural operations of all types in New York. Our experienced educators and trainers offer a variety of programs that promote safe and healthy farming by teaching safe work practices to audiences including youth, agribusiness professionals and farm workers. All of our trainings are available in English and in Spanish. Learn more about these different offerings below.

To schedule a training contact us at 800-343-7527 or info@nycamh.org.

On-Farm Safety Surveys

On-farm safety surveys review potential hazards around the farmstead and shop as well as with tractors and machinery. Personal protective equipment use is also evaluated. The safety survey is designed for the farm owner or manager but certainly can include others. A checklist is referred to through the survey. Afterward, a copy of the checklist and suggestions for improvements will be provided. Results are for the farm's benefit only. Survey information is kept confidential.

On-Farm Safety Trainings

All on-farm safety trainings are scheduled at a time convenient for the farm. They are offered at no cost and are available in English and Spanish. NYCAMH trainings can help fulfill some USDA, OSHA and GAPS requirements. A copy of the training roster and certificate of completion will be provided as this paperwork can help document training sessions for third-party auditors.

Topics include:

For Orchard and Vegetable Farms

Packing House and Product Line Safety
Personal Hygiene and Safe Food Handling (GAPS)
Heat, Sun & Hydration Safety
Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
Tractor, Power Take Off (PTO) and Equipment Safety
Skidsteer/ Forklift Safety
Safe Lifting and Carrying
Chainsaw Safety
Ladder Safety
Hazard Communications Standard (Chemical Safety)
Other safety topics by request

For Dairy or Livestock Farms

Personal Protective Equipment
Tractor, PTO and Equipment Safety
Skidsteer Safety
Mechanical Hazards
Confined Space Awareness
Manure Safety
Animal Handling & Needle Safety
Lockout/Tagout
Shop Safety
Milking Parlor Safety
Hazard Communication Standard (Chemical Safety)
Other topics by request

Agribusiness Presentations

NYCAMH educators are regularly invited to present on agricultural health and safety topics at events, including Farm Bureau or Cornell Cooperative Extension meetings and programs held by commodity groups. Presentations to agribusiness groups are provided at no cost and are available on a variety of topics.

Outreach Events

NYCAMH outreach staff regularly attend a number of local and regional trade shows to promote agricultural safety and health. Farm safety topics and information are disseminated through Presentations and displays as well as vy hands-on demonstrations.

Youth Farm Safety Activities

Youth farm safety activities are available to 4-H agricultural clubs, high school and college agriculture classes, Mennonite and Amish schools and other youth groups. Activities facilitated by a NYCAMH safety trainer can include:

Presentations at youth farm safety days or large farm shows
On-farm safety surveys or trainings with youth groups
Tractor/machinery operator classes coordinated by county Cooperative Extension 4-H programs
Progressive Agriculture Safety Days
Play-it-Safe Farm Safety Challenge Game

Farm Emergency Response Program

NYCAMH"s Farm Emergency Response Program trainings are designed to help farm workers and farm families learn what to do if they are the first at the scene in an emergency situation on the farm. Through this program, NYCAMH can also provide agricultural hazard awareness level training sessions to fire departments and EMS personnel. These services are available at no cost in English and Spanish.

Topics include:

Fire Extinguisher and Fire Safety
Emergency Preparedness
First Aid and CPR Certification through the American Heart Association
Basic First Aid
Agricultural Hazard Awareness training for professional responders

Respirator Fit Testing Program

The purpose of a respirator is to prevent the inhalation of harmful airborne substances. Any of the following tasks may require respiratory protection for farm owners or employees:

Cleaning barns or other animal confinement areas
Mixing footbath chemicals
Applying pesticides, fertilizers or other crop chemicals
Silo filling, unloading or maintenance
Other grain or silage handling activities

Respirators must be carefully selected to match each respiratory hazard. A respirator must fit your face properly, be NIOSH certified, and be appropriate to the hazard to provide adequate respiratory protection. One-strap disposable dust masks are not NIOSH certified and do not provide respiratory protection in any situation.

OSHA requires that an annual fit test be performed with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator before it is used. In addition to the fit test, anyone required to use a respirator must be medically cleared to insure there are no health risks to an individual working and wearing a respirator.

NYCAMH can provide services for proper fit, use, limitations, and maintenance of respirators and cartridges or connect you with a facility closer to you for these services.

Respirators and additional personal protection equipment can be purchased through NYCAMH at reduced prices.

Contact Us

Phone: 800-343-7527
Fax: 607-547-6087
E-Mail: info@nycamh.org

Meet the Trainers

At NYCAMH, our safety educators and trainers are a dedicated team providing expertise on safety best practices for workers across New York.

Jim Carrabba

Jim Carrabba is an Agricultural Safety Specialist for NYCAMH. He provides agricultural safety education and outreach programs for NYCAMH programs in New York and throughout the Northeast. Jim conducts on-farm safety surveys, OSHA compliance consulting and on-site safety training sessions for agricultural businesses in New York. He also provides farm emergency response training, CPR and First Aid certification training for farms and agricultural businesses. Jim has been with NYCAMH since September 2004.

Christina Hall

Christina Hall provides safety trainings and other safety services on farms as well as at agricultural events. She previously worked as a 4-H Subject Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County. Christina grew up on a dairy farm and has a BS in Agricultural Science from Cornell University.

Anna Meyerhoff

Anna Meyerhoff is the Senior Bilingual Agricultural Safety & Education Coordinator for NYCAMH/NEC. Anna develops and delivers bilingual farm safety and emergency response trainings as well as providing other outreach services. She grew up on and around dairy farms in NY and New England, earned a BA in Spanish, and has lived and studied abroad in Central America. Anna started her agricultural career in 1997, and has over a decade of experience providing education and facilitating communication for Spanish-speaking agricultural workers.