Common Farmworker Health Conditions and Diagnostic Tools

Diagnostic Tools

A. WHACS – Simple mnemonic device for taking a farmworker occupational health history

What do you do?

• Tell me exactly what you have been doing on your job. For how long?

How do you do it?

• Are there awkward postures? Heavy loads? Repetitive motions?
• What kinds of tools do you use?
• How many hours do you usually work each day?
• Do you have any days off?
• Other possible hazards/protections to ask about:
  • heat, cold, chemicals (pesticides and others), fumes, insects, ultraviolet light
  • dusts and natural plant materials
  • protective eyewear, hearing protection, long sleeves, pants
  • boots, gloves
  • dust mask, respirator
  • shields on machinery, roll-bars on tractors, lighting, anti-slip surfaces
  • rest-breaks, stretching
  • water, bathrooms

Are you near any dangerous or bothersome things on the farm?

• Did you have skin contact with any chemicals or plant materials that were irritating?
• Did you breathe any chemicals or dusts that bothered you?
• Can you wash hands before eating or smoking?

Co-workers or others with similar problems?

Satisfied with your job?

• Are you having problems with your boss or crew chief?
• Do you get along with your co-workers?
• Are there problems with your housing?
• Are there problems at home?

WHAT DOES THE “WHACS” REVEAL?

If these suggest a possible occupational problem, explore a little further. Here are some further probes that may be useful:

• Can you tell me more about [the job and health condition]?
• Do you have any thoughts about why this has happened to you?
• Have you tried anything that might help you? Can you tell me more about that?

It may also be helpful to go to the WORKSITE VISIT portion of the website. Find the most similar crop/commodity listed. Show the video to the farmworker. Ask:

• Is this similar to what you do? How is it different?
• Do you have pain/discomfort during this activity?
• Can you tell me more about that?
• Are there other parts of your job you would like to talk about?

The occupational history is most useful if:
-You do it.
-You proceed gradually enough to allow accurate recollection and reporting.
-You ask further about any work exposures that you do not understand clearly.
-You gain a clear idea of how the work is being done.

Printable WHACS card

For more information, see: Recognizing Occupational Disease — Taking an Effective Occupational History, by M. Lax and colleagues.

For occupational health clinics across the U.S., and other educational resources, see: Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics.

Common Farmworker Health Conditions