P-511 Development of a Comprehensive Agriculture Injury and Illness System in Illinois, Usa

Introduction Agriculture is a high-risk sector of the economy, and hired farmworkers are arguably the most at-risk worker population in agriculture. Surveillance for work-related illnesses and injuries (WRIIs) is critical for prevention; however, farmworkers are hard to count, the US surveillance system for illnesses and injuries in agriculture is fragmented, and Illinois state agencies engaged in agricultural safety and health have limited capacity to address occupational health. We describe developing a comprehensive surveillance program to target farmworkers and will present initial findings. Methods We are building a “system of systems approach” to more effectively use surveillance data to identify and mitigate WRIIs among agriculture workers in Illinois through (1) utilizing existing data systems that principally capture acute, moderate to severe illnesses and injuries and (2) establishing partnerships to integrate outpatient health data from clinics serving hired farmworker communities, which would capture minor and chronic injuries and health conditions. Results During the first year, we completed the preliminary analysis of agriculture-related illnesses and injuries in the following state-based data systems: police crash reports, workers’ compensation first reports of injury reports, hospital discharge, and Poison Center, as well as publicly available government data. We have also established partnerships with two clinic systems. Discussion Preliminary analysis of existing state-based and federal systems indicates an undercount of hired farmworkers and their WRIIs. Partnerships with local community clinics offer a promising means of furthering farmworker surveillance. Conclusion This research aims to expand epidemiological surveillance capacity for WRIIs among hired farmworkers to ultimately translate surveillance findings into actionable workplace safety programs.