Farm safety isn't just a matter of preventing tractor rollovers. Health and safety professionals in industry, government and academia grapple with a host of problems ranging from respiratory disease to pesticide exposure. To improve communication and encourage collaboration on these issues, the UC Davis-based UC Agricultural Health and Safety Center will host an agricultural health and safety conference Sept. 8-10 at the campus's Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. "Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in the nation, comparable to construction or mining," said Dr. Stephen McCurdy, an associate professor of occupational medicine and associate director of the ag health and safety center. "We hope this conference will foster an appreciation for the efforts being made by other health professionals throughout the western United States to address these problems." Themes to be discussed by conference speakers will include agricultural engineering and mechanization, cultural challenges and emerging topics such as endocrine disrupters and reproductive issues. Special workshops will be held on the use of the Internet, worker safety and methods for measuring human exposure to agricultural chemicals.