UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Dennis Murphy, distinguished professor of agricultural engineering and Nancy Ellen Kiernan, program evaluation specialist, both in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, were recently honored by the National Institute for Farm Safety for "exemplary contributions to agricultural safety and health."

At its recent annual conference, the institute recognized Murphy, Kiernan and three other researchers for their study of 216 small farms in Pennsylvania comparing the efficacy of safety education alone versus education plus hazard self-audits.

"This study is a good example of how many field educational intervention programs could and should be evaluated," a release from the institute states. "Their results showed a significant decrease in hazards identified and addressed when the owner/operator was actively engaged via the self-audit. Notable from the standpoints of evaluation design and execution, was questionnaire-based self-report measures coupled with independent hazard inspections to verify self-reports."

The NIFS is the largest professional development organization in North America solely dedicated to the professional improvement of agricultural safety and health leaders. To recognize outstanding contributions, the institute expanded its awards program in farm safety, consisting of research awards and prevention awards.

Also receiving awards for the research were Cathy Kassab, a State College statistical consultant, and Douglas Landsittel and David Hard, agricultural researchers with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown, W.Va.

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EDITORS: Contact Dennis Murphy at 814-865-7157 or Nancy Ellen Kiernan at 814-863-7621.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #220