Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous occupations in the U.S., with farmworkers facing a disproportionately high risk of heat-related illness (HRI). Adequate hydration is essential for preventing HRI, yet farmworkers report insufficient access to drinking water while on the job. Backpack hydration systems, widely used by military personnel and firefighters, offer a hands-free, portable solution that has been shown to decrease dehydration and heat strain. Integrating these systems into agricultural settings could enhance workplace safety, lower the risk of chronic disease, and promote overall health and well-being.

This mixed-methods study will assess practicability and a potential side effect of the backpack hydration system intervention among farmworkers. Data from water samples and surveys will provide understanding of benefits and challenges of using backpack hydration systems as an intervention to promote Total Worker Health.

Study Highlights

Intervention design considering practicability and unintended side-effects.

To reduce the risk of waterborne infections, backpack hydration system bladders and tubing will require deep cleaning once a month. Bacterial contamination (E. coli and total coliform) of the backpack bladders will be measured biweekly over two summer months, with comparisons before and after cleaning. With proper education, we hypothesize that both farmworker- and stakeholder-led cleaning will result in similarly low contamination rates. Additionally, participants and stakeholders will be interviewed to assess the practicality of the cleaning process.