About Us
High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety
Our team works toward a High Plains and Intermountain region where a safe, healthy, and thriving agricultural and forestry workforce is the foundation of productive, resilient, and sustainable food, fiber, and logging systems. HICAHS aims to improve the health and well-being of workers in food, fiber, and timber production by engaging partners in transdisciplinary research, education, and prevention programs across the High Plains, Intermountain region.
HICAHS Vision and Mission
Federally Funded
One of 11 Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), we focus our efforts in the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. (NIOSH/CDC Grant No. U54 OH008085)
Our Approach
Since 1991, HICAHS has partnered with regional experts and agricultural-serving organizations. Together, we identify and respond to the most pressing worker health and safety threats in our region. This commitment to strong partnerships has paved the way for the successful translation of our research into industry practice, particularly with regional and national adoption of our evidence-based programming.
Research
Worker health and safety is essential to sustaining a productive work environment. The agriculture, forestry and fishing industries have the highest rate of on-the-job fatalities in the United States. Our multidisciplinary team is helping to solve this public health problem through sound research and interventions on topics such as tractor roll-overs, respiratory disease, middle-manager training, youth education and more. The dairy industry is a special emphasis area.
Grant Programs
We award up to $100,000 annually through our three grant programs. These funds support worker safety and health research and community programs in the region.
Funding Opportunities
Outreach
Our outreach program helps translate our research into practice. We provide technical assistance, consultation, educational materials and training activities to promote the adoption of safer work practices.