Bioenergy feedstock production will have inherent differences from current agricultural processes. These differences could increase the potential for workforce injury or death if not properly understood and if effective protective counter measures are not in place.
The Health and Safety research team addresses two key worker safety elements in the biofuel feedstock supply chain:
- Feedstock production risks
- Air/dust exposure
Health and Safety Project Directors
- Charles Schwab and Mark Hanna, Iowa State University
Health and Safety Resources
Our Health and Safety team members have produced an extensive resource library with material promoting the safe handling of perennial crops and biochar. Check out our Research Summary, Fact Sheet and Peer Reviewed Journal Articles (4).
2017 Overview and Research Summary
- A probabilistic risk assessment model has been created to compare estimated worker injury risk of corn vs. switchgrass production.
- Learn safe practices for handling biochar.
- Ryan, S. J., C. V. Schwab & G. A. Mosher. 2015. Agricultural Risk: Development of a probabilistic risk assessment model for measurement of the difference in risk of corn and biofuel switchgrass farming systems. International Society for Agriculture Safety and Health. International Meeting Normal, Illinois. ISASH Paper No. 15-01. ISASH Urbana, IL 61801
- Ryan, S. J., C. V. Schwab & G. A. Mosher. 2016. Comparing worker injury risk in corn and switchgrass production systems: Results from a probabilistic risk assessment model. International Society for Agriculture Safety and Health. International Meeting Normal, Illinois. ISASH Paper No. 16-03. ISASH Urbana, IL 61801
- Schaufler, D. H., A.M. Yoder, D.J. Murphy, C.V. Schwab & A. F. Dehart. 2014. Safety and health hazards in on-farm biomass production and processing. J. of Ag. Safety & Health. 20(4):283-299. doi: 10.13031/jash.20.10639
- Yoder, A. M., C. V. Schwab, P. Gunderson & D. J. Murphy. 2014. Safety and health in biomass production, transportation and storage. J.Agromedicine. 19:83-86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24911681. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2014.886539. (Abstract Only)