Simplifying Farm Respiratory Safety with New MSU Guide

By Andi Anderson

Dust, vapors, and fumes are common on farms and can harm long-term health. To help agricultural employers and workers stay safe, Michigan State University’s Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and MSU Extension have released a new guide, “Respiratory Protection Requirements in Agriculture.” This toolkit simplifies complex safety rules and offers ready-to-use resources for farms of all sizes.

The guide addresses both pesticide and non-pesticide hazards, two areas governed by different regulations. Pesticide use falls under the Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Worker Protection Standard.

Hazards such as welding fumes, grain dust, and manure pit gases are regulated by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and OSHA. By separating these requirements side by side, the toolkit helps employers quickly see which rules apply to each activity.

Inside, users will find step-by-step instructions for choosing the right respirator. Whether it’s a particulate filter for grain dust, a chemical cartridge for pesticides, or a supplied-air system for oxygen-deficient areas, the guide explains how to select and use equipment correctly.

It also provides key technical details such as NIOSH TC numbers, filter ratings, and how to interpret pesticide labels.

To make compliance easier, the resource includes checklists, fit test and training record forms, at-a-glance summaries, and posters that can be displayed in barns or kept in safety binders.

A comprehensive program table outlines every element of a compliant respiratory protection program with the matching regulatory citations.

By blending clear language with detailed requirements, the Respiratory Protection Requirements in Agriculture toolkit helps farmers protect their teams and meet federal and state standards without unnecessary complexity.

Access to the guide allows agricultural businesses to create or update their respiratory safety programs with confidence, ensuring healthier workplaces and safer daily operations.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu