Promoting Safety in High School Supervised Agricultural Experiences: Teachers’ Training and Student Injury Experiences

Abstract

Abstract. This research study sought to gather evidence of safety training experiences, teacher professional development needs, and student injuries applicable to supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs within Region I of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). Approximately 79% (f = 201) reported having first aid/CPR/AED-general training. Thirty-two participants (12.5%) indicated having no safety certifications or trainings. Two-hundred participants (79%) agreed or strongly agreed that secondary agricultural education teachers need professional development training on increasing community agribusinesses’ involvement in supervising SAE programs. Abrasions, lacerations, bites and/or stings, and burns accounted for a majority of student SAE-related injuries that were reported. There were 90 participants (35.5%) that stated no injuries had been reported or they were not aware of any injuries that have occurred. The professional development topic with the lowest level of agreement (58.5%) was preparing safety guidelines for SAE programs. Other safety related professional development topics of interest from teachers included chain saw safety, greenhouse safety, ladder safety, and processing equipment. It can be concluded that SAE safety professional development and emergency response training are vital. Ideally, a recommendation would be to encourage all teachers to attend a professional development training specific to SAE safety and to receive emergency response training to ensure student safety, and keep records of any risk assessments conducted during SAE supervision. Agriculture teachers are in a prime position with SAEs to influence the safety culture in agriculture to protect their students. This will be vital to the continuation of this integral component of agricultural education.