AUTHOR=Wey Hannah , Jäggi Lena , Atuhaire Aggrey , Boos Felix , Ssekkadde Peter , Abeine Sandra , Mubeezi Ruth , Fuhrimann Samuel 
  
TITLE=Tool for identifying occupational exposures and risks in agriculture (TIERRA): application in coffee farming in Uganda
  
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
  
VOLUME=Volume 71 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609449
  
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2026.1609449
  
ISSN=1661-8564
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesThis study developed a practical, context-sensitive assessment tool to prioritize occupational risks in agriculture (TIERRA). We applied TIERRA in a case study with smallholder coffee farmers in Uganda (FarmCoUganda) to demonstrate its effectiveness.MethodsTIERRA follows a stepwise, participatory process beginning with an inventory of 80 occupational hazards, reviewed by local experts for clarity and prioritized by community stakeholders through a Delphi workshop. Participants rate the likelihood, severity, and risk of hazards. In the Ugandan case study, 31 stakeholders rated 59 hazards relevant to smallholder coffee farmers in Mbale District.ResultsStakeholders prioritized 23 hazards across six categories: biological, chemical, ergonomic, and physical hazards, each comprising three items, plus five environmental and six psychosocial hazards. “Contact with a pesticide” received the highest overall risk score. “Mosquito bites” emerged as the most significant biological risk. Ergonomic hazards received the highest categorical risk rating.ConclusionTIERRA fosters stakeholder ownership and facilitates dialogue toward action. It supports the development of tailored farmer surveys, training and safer working conditions. It offers a methodological blueprint for adaptation across diverse agricultural contexts, including in LMICs.