From Hive to Health: A Regional Occupational Health Needs Assessment of Beekeepers

Beekeeping is a physically demanding agricultural occupation involving repetitive lifting, awkward postures, prolonged outdoor work, and environmental exposures. Musculoskeletal disorders have been documented among beekeepers, but less is known about broader occupational health experiences, ergonomic practices, and intervention needs. This study characterized the occupational health, physical demands, and ergonomic priorities among beekeepers through a regional needs assessment focused primarily on Kentucky and Tennessee (n = 86). A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 100 U.S. beekeepers in active management roles. The survey assessed self-reported health, physical workload, musculoskeletal strain, injuries, ergonomic tool use, and occupational challenges. Over half routinely lifted loads exceeding 40 pounds, yet 55% never used lifting aids. Larger operations reported significantly greater back strain, suggesting operation size may reflect cumulative physical workload. Approximately one-quarter reported a beekeeping-related injury, with nearly all managed through self-care. Cost was the primary barrier to ergonomic tool adoption. Despite common musculoskeletal strain, participants generally reported favorable overall health compared with regional population benchmarks. Within this regional sample, occupational health concerns were associated with physical workload, operation size, and barriers to ergonomic intervention. Future investigations should address hazardous tasks alongside behavioral, economic, and cultural factors affecting adoption of preventative strategies.