A summary of state laws regulating youth operating farm tractors on highways

Driving farm tractors on highways is hazardous for youth due to the large speed differential between motor vehicles and agricultural vehicles, as well as recent increases in traffic volume on many rural roads. In 1994, the state of Wisconsin enacted legislation requiring youth who operate farm tractors on highways to complete a tractor and machinery certification course. We were interested in finding out whether other states have similar requirements. The purpose of this project was to collect and summarize state laws regulating youth who operate farm tractors on highways in the U.S. A systematic method was used that included an initial Lexis-Nexis database search followed by internet searches in combination with follow-up email and telephone communications when missing or unclear results were obtained. The findings show that 14 states have legislation addressing youth who operate farm tractors on highways. The content of these statutes varies, but includes driver's license or educational requirements, as well as regulations concerning the ages, locations, and/or times of day when youth may drive farm machinery on highways. This compilation of state laws will be useful information for agricultural safety professionals in designing effective outreach programs. A synthesis of the findings may also lead to the development of model legislation or inform future research efforts aimed at preventing youth farm tractor crashes on highways.     

Protecting young workers in agriculture: participation in tractor certification training

Tractor-related injuries among youth are an important public health problem. The major objectives of this study were to (1) provide a rigorous estimate of the number of youth operating tractors in Ohio and (2) assess the extent to which these youth are participating in federally mandated tractor safety training. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by approximately 4,000 students ages 14 or 15 years who were enrolled in a stratified cluster sample of 99 Ohio schools. Almost one-third of the youth (30%) reported having operated tractors, with 19% having operated a tractor on a farm not owned by a parent or guardian. More than half of the youth (52%) reported having operated a tractor and/or other hazardous machinery, with 25% having operated the machinery on a farm not owned or operated by a parent or guardian. Extrapolating from 4-H records and Ohio census data, fewer than 1% of the youth who are operating tractors or other hazardous machinery have participated in tractor certification training. Increasing participation in mandated training may be an important step in protecting the health of our nation's young agricultural workers.     

Effectiveness of the Indiana 4-H tractor program at instilling safe tractor operating behaviors and attitudes in youth

The purpose of this research was to determine what impact the Indiana 4-H Tractor Program has had on safer tractor operating behavior and attitudes of participants and to provide recommendations for program improvement. To assess the impact, 108 non 4-H youth who reported they operated a tractor regularly were compared with 104 4-H Tractor Program participants. A single skilled evaluator observed each individual in the two groups as she/he operated a tractor through a standard tractor-operating course. Information on recent tractor-related injury history and attitudes toward tractor safety was gathered using a written survey. Results showed that the program has had both a perceived and demonstrable positive influence; however, a need for improvements was also shown. Most significant of the findings was that participants in the 4-H Tractor Program were observed to operate tractors in a safer and more skillful manner. Even though the 4-H Tractor Program participants reported substantially more exposure time to tractor operation, they did not report a significantly different injury experience in comparison to the non-participants. Responses from the 4-H program participants, however, indicated a trend toward having more tractor-related close call incidents. There was no significant difference between the two groups in their attitudes toward tractor safety. Program recommendations developed as a result of the study primarily related to the need for updating instructional material used in the 4-H Tractor Program and the need for additional training and resources for volunteer leaders.     

Ohio farm safety day camps: developing a successful statewide program through surveillance and evaluation

To address the at-risk population of rural youth, Ohio State University Extension initiated a statewide farm safety day camp program, partnering with other state sponsors. The program has completed a ten-year anniversary, and evaluation data from the 79 camp sessions held within that timeframe (N = 15,440; response rate = 79.4%) were analyzed. The objectives of the evaluation were to determine youth perceptions of their experience as well as determine if the camp sessions accurately targeted high injury-causing agents. Overall, 75.0% of the campers were satisfied with the program, 76.0% reported that they learned from their participation, and 71.2% agreed that the information was relevant and useful. Popular topics taught at the day camps were consistent with the most prevalent on-farm injury hazards affecting youth populations, including livestock safety, ATV safety, lawn and garden safety, tractor and machinery safety, electrical safety, and water safety.     

Utilizing expert panels in agricultural safety and health research

This article reports on the use of expert panels by Purdue University's Agricultural Safety and Health Program staff to address three separate research questions related to: (1) developing strategies for the prevention of flowing grain engulfments, (2) evaluation of commercial lifts used by operators with restricted mobility to gain access to agricultural tractors and equipment, and (3) identifying essential competencies for youth enrolled in federally mandated tractor and machinery certification programs. Advantages and disadvantages associated with the use of expert panels are addressed, and specific examples of outcomes are presented. Recommendations for using expert panels during research projects are also included.     

Proposed performance standards for the Agricultural Hazardous Occupations Order certification training program

The performance standards that accompany Gearing Up for Safety, the agricultural production safety training curriculum for youth, were designed to meet the certification testing requirements of the Agricultural Hazardous Occupations Order (AgHOs) certification training program. The AgHOs requires that certain youth who are older than 13 and younger than 16 years of age complete a prescribed training program before being eligible for employment on farms to perform certain tasks considered hazardous. These training resources will be available for implementation and can be accessed by contacting the second author. To our knowledge, up until this time, few, if any, standardized testing procedures or instruments have had the necessary psychometric evidence to support use of the resulting scores to assess the readiness of youth to meet the basic certification requirements contained in the AgHOs. This article describes the rationale, methods, and key findings from a standard-setting session held to establish minimum passing scores for a proposed testing process. The test will be used as a component of the Gearing Up for Safety certification process for youth workers seeking employment to perform job functions as specified under the AgHOs. Readers may be able to apply this standardized testing process, or similarly accepted processes, to other or future testing and certification projects involving agricultural safety and health.     

Tractor overturn concerns in Iowa: perspectives from the Keokuk county rural health study

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S., with tractor overturns producing the greatest number of agricultural machinery-related fatalities. Rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts effectively reduce tractor overturn deaths. However, a large proportion of tractors in use in American agriculture are older tractors without ROPS and seatbelts. This article describes the tractor-related responses from participants in a population-based study conducted in Keokuk County, Iowa. This study was designed to measure rural and agricultural adverse health and injury outcomes and their respective risk factors. Questionnaires were partially developed from well-documented national surveys. Questions about agricultural machinery use, presence of safety equipment on the machinery, work practices, and attitudes about farm safety were included. Study participants on farms who owned tractors had an average of 3.1 tractors with an average age of 27 years. Only 39% of the 665 tractors had ROPS. Tractor age was associated with the presence of ROPS; 84% of tractors manufactured after 1984 were ROPS-equipped, whereas only 3% of tractors manufactured before 1960 were ROPS-equipped. ROPS-equipped tractors were significantly more common on larger farms and households with higher income. Only 4% of the farmers reported that their tractors had seatbelts and they wore them when operating their tractors. The results of this study support the findings of other studies, which indicate that many older tractors without ROPS and seatbelts remain in use in American agriculture. Until a dramatic reduction in the number of tractors in the U.S. operated without ROPS and seatbelts is achieved, the annual incidence of 120 to 130 deaths associated with tractor overturns will persist.     

Tractor driving among kentucky farm youth: results from the farm family health and hazard surveillance project

This article documents the extent of children's involvement in tractor operations among a representative sample of Kentucky children living and working on family farms. Specifically, we describe children's exposures to tractor-related work activities, profile their use of the tractor (number of days worked), and assess compliance with generally recommended safety measures, such as using tractors equipped with ROPS (rollover protective structures), avoiding riding as passengers on tractors, and operating tractors on public roadways. Data for this study were collected in 1994 and 1995 as part of the NIOSH-sponsored Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project (FFHHSP). Despite recognition in the health and safety community of the hazards associated with operating tractors without ROPS on public roadways and with extra riders, these practices remain common among youth on Kentucky farms. Farms with annual incomes greater than $10,000, particularly with livestock commodities, appear to use youth for a greater number of days of tractor operation than other farms. Such farms may be an appropriate target for intervention.     

机耕道自动驾驶农机局部路径规划

针对机耕道场景下自动驾驶农机行驶的安全性、平稳性与规划实时性的实际需求,该研究提出了一种基于二次规划的局部路径规划方法。首先基于有限状态机构建农机机耕道行驶模式,其次采用横纵向解耦的方法,通过改进状态栅格法分别对农机速度行为和轨迹行为进行决策,随后利用二次规划方法生成满足多目标、多约束条件的农机轨迹和速度,得到最优路径,最后在多种行驶环境中进行仿真和实车试验,行驶参考速度为2 m/s。实车试验结果表明,在绕行静态障碍物场景中,规划轨迹的平均绝对曲率为0.021 m^-1,最大绝对曲率为0.056 m^-1,平均绝对横向误差为3.23 cm,最大绝对横向误差为8.69 cm,农机与障碍物外轮廓的距离大于0.76 m;在规避相向行驶、同向行驶和横穿机耕道的动态障碍物场景中,规划速度的平均绝对速度误差为0.08～0.12 m/s,绝对速度误差小于0.38 m/s,加速度变化范围为-0.38～0.44 m/s²。在规划周期为200 ms的仿真试验中,本文算法平均耗时48 ms,最大耗时75 ms,相比采用静态状态栅格法平均耗时减少38 ms,算法效率提升44%。研究结果可为机耕道场景下的农机局部路径规划提供技术支持。     

旅游学概论多媒体网络课程的开发与实践

本文以现代教育技术学和网络课程开发理论为指导，以实际开发项目为背景，试图归纳和总结网络课程开发的步骤、方法。并提出了网络课程开发要与实际课程相关的教学模式和教学改革相结合的观点，对推动教育信息化与教学改革具有重要意义。     

考虑无形磨损的拖拉机残值系数预测模型

针对当前随着农机设备更新速度加快,无形磨损对农机折旧影响加重的问题,该文在传统拖拉机残值系数预测模型的基础上引入无形磨损系数,构建了考虑无形磨损的拖拉机残值系数预测模型。以来自于农机服务中心农机及农具拍卖结果的25台拖拉机拍卖数据为研究样本,以机龄、年平均工作时长、无形磨损系数为变量参数,分析其价值变化规律;同时,为了进一步综合对比改进模型与原模型的残值系数预测精度,引入基于几何学的"弗雷歇距离"度量法。结果表明,改进模型与原模型相比,预测偏差较小,预测精度大幅度提高,达到24.9%及以上,能够显著地提高拖拉机残值预测准确度,该研究为折旧成本的计算和农机设备的更新决策提供了科学、准确的决策依据。     

基于激光导航的果园拖拉机自动控制系统

为实现果园作业的自动化,以拖拉机为研究对象,采用激光导航方式实现了果园机械的自动导航。试验以激光扫描仪为检测设备对果树位置信息实时采集,采用最小二乘法规划拖拉机导航路径;拖拉机航向偏差和横向偏差作为比例控制器的输入量,以方向盘电机的转速为输出量,控制拖拉机沿导航路径直线行走;系统实现了拖拉机在果园环境下的直线行走控制功能。拖拉机以0.27 m/s的速度直线行走30 m,最大横向偏差0.15 m。试验结果表明本系统可用于果园机械的自动导航,并具有一定的可靠性。     

Assessing farm tractor incidents and awareness levels of operators for tractor safety issues in the Hatay province of Turkey

Studies and statistical data on safety issues related to farm tractors and machinery are very limited in developing countries, including Turkey. This study was carried out to investigate tractor-related incidents in the Hatay province, located in the mid-south of Turkey. A questionnaire was conducted with 107 tractor operators using face-to-face interviews. Data were evaluated according to the incident type, machinery involved, and mechanism of injury or fatality. A total of 101 incidents were reported by 77 of the 107 respondents. Most of the incidents were due to tractor rollovers (65.4%), 14.8% of the incidents were due to entanglement of body parts in moving machinery, and 12.9% involved crashing into other vehicles or obstacles. The leading cause of the incidents was personal mistakes (60.4%). Fatalities resulted from 25.7% of the incidents, while 45.5% of the incidents caused non-fatal injuries. Only 5.6% of the tractors had a ROPS-enclosed cab. The percentage of ROPS-equipped tractors was 19.6%, while 41.3% of the tractors had a shade cover and 33.6% had no protective structure. Only one of the respondents used a seatbelt, although 44.9% of them stated that seatbelts should be used. It was also found that only 13.5% of the operators had training in work safety, while 95.1% stated that incidents might be reduced if people were trained. Development of appropriate policies and training programs are needed for safer operation of agricultural machinery to reduce injuries and fatalities due to farm accidents.     

Instructional practices at Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) safety day camps

The instructional methods used with 1,347 youth in seven Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) day camp sessions conducted in five states during the summer and fall of 2002 were videotaped. The videotapes, instructor questionnaires, and day camp materials were analyzed using an observation protocol that focused on instructional practices and an interaction analysis of instructor-student talk during the sessions. Results showed that instruction focused on hazard recognition, a high level of participant attention during all the sessions observed, and safety day camp content relevant to rural participants regardless of whether they live or work on a farm. Recommendations for improving instructional practice include better use of print materials, more interactive, participatory activities for students, and reduction of instructor-centered, didactic approaches. Given the high level of students' attention, increased involvement of students in active, participatory approaches might enhance the effectiveness of the instruction by: (1) further engaging students through personalizing hazard recognition, (2) contextualizing reports of injuries, (3) examining the complexities of choosing safe behaviors, and (4) paying more attention to the consequences of injury events. Role-playing, narrative simulations, and other types of interactive and collaborative exercises are instructional approaches that support the inclusion of the pre-event contingencies and post-event consequences that are part of all injury events.     

基于Raspberry Pi的拖拉机通用自动驾驶系统

为了改善现阶段拖拉机自动化驾驶系统主要针对单个特定型号的拖拉机进行开发的局限性,该文设计了一套采用分布式控制方式的拖拉机自动化驾驶系统。该系统的作用在于同SAFAR系统（software architecture for agricultural robot,农业机器人的软件体系结构）整合,成为一个能够进行实际工作的系统。系统采用Raspberry Pi微型计算机作为系统的电子控制单元（electronic control unit,ECU）,在不同的ECU上分别处理不同的任务,利用通讯协议传输控制协议/互联网络协议来进行ECU之间的通讯。为了保障系统的安全,该系统采用激光测距传感器R2100来保障车辆和周围环境的安全,采用Heart Beat（心跳）检测机制来探测系统故障。该系统可以接收来自SAFAR的控制信号,并对拖拉机进行相应的操作来实现拖拉机的自动化驾驶。除此之外,该系统还提供了无线遥控的功能,能够方便操作人员进行简单、直观的操控。经过测试,该系统能够正确、快速地响应来自操作人员或SAFAR的控制,控制系统的响应时间低于0.5 s,电机转向角误差小于0.06;舵机角度偏差4°左右;系统各个ECU之间通讯稳定可靠,可在试验设定的4 h内稳定工作,每0.25 s检测一次工作环境并给予响应。该研究对农业机械自动化的实现提供了参考。     

基于Bezier曲线优化的农机自动驾驶避障控制方法

动力换挡拖拉机的产生促进农机自动驾驶向着无人化方向发展,农机的自动避障成为需要解决的关键问题。该文针对最短切线路径曲线曲率不连续、跟踪控制精度差及农机运动模型精度低等缺点,采用三阶Bezier曲线优化法形成连续平滑农机避障路径,通过链式控制理论建立农机运动线性控制模型,利用PI控制器进行转角补偿,并进行了控制方法的仿真和犁耕作业试验。仿真结果表明:农机行驶的航向误差角在-0.06～0.06 rad,横向位置误差小于13 cm,前轮转向角变化平缓,没有显著突变,说明该方法控制精度较高,农机能够按预设轨迹行驶。犁耕作业试验结果表明:Bezier曲线部分的避障精度为5.21 cm,曲线路径的跟踪控制效果较好;避障后农机继续沿直线行驶的精度为1.98 cm,说明该方法可保证农机在避障后恢复直线自动驾驶。研究结果表明,该避障路径控制方法在不平整犁耕地中具有较好的鲁棒性和适应性,可满足拖拉机作业的避障要求。     

Reaching teen farm workers with health and safety information: an evaluation of a high school ESL curriculum

While childhood agricultural injury has long been recognized as an important public health issue, most research has focused on family farms and there have not been many interventions targeting hired youth. This study evaluated the impact of a high school English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum, designed to provide teen agricultural workers with the knowledge and tools to protect their health and safety in the fields. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research consisted of two intervention groups and a comparison group, and included over 2,000 students from communities that lead California in agricultural production. The research findings revealed that the curriculum had significant impact in terms of increases in knowledge and attitudes, and nearly half of those interviewed after a summer of working in the fields reported implementing new behaviors to protect their health and safety. The curriculum also had extended effects in the broader community, as the majority of students reported sharing the new information with others. The study found that a school-based ESL curriculum is an effective intervention to reach and educate teen farm workers and that ESL classes can serve as a much-needed access point for young farm workers.     

Time‐dependent,anisotropic pore structure and soil strength in a 10‐year period after intensive tractor wheeling under conservation and conventional tillage

Any soil deformation induced by agricultural machinery is transmitted three‐dimensionally and the “kneading effect” of tractor wheeling further rearranges soil particles and aggregates anisotropically. In this work, we investigated how heterogeneous soil structure remained 10 y after a complete wheeling of fields in 1995 with a single pass of 2 × 2.5 Mg and of 6 × 5 Mg on a silty loam Luvisol derived from loess. Control plots received no tractor wheeling. We also analyzed how soil physical properties responded to the tractor wheeling under two management systems: continuous conservation tillage (chisel plow = CS) with mulch cover and conventional tillage (plowing to 25 cm depth annually = CT). We compared three sampling dates: done before wheeling in 1995, after wheeling in 1995, and in 2004. Results showed that applying tractor wheeling in 1995 not only reduced total soil‐pore volume but also increased soil strength as expressed by precompression stress. The reduction of total pore volume at 30 cm depth was more pronounced in CS than in CT. After 10 y of continuous use of the two tillage systems, the precompression stress of the wheeled soils was greater in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. This anisotropy of soil strength and its load dependency were also more pronounced in CS than in CT. The effect of wheeling on the fluxes of gas and water was covered up by the effects of biochannels, causing a prevailing vertical passage. From this study, we conclude that heavy, agricultural machinery causes soil degradation, which is more evident in CS than in CT.     

Development of the Safe Tractor Assessment Rating System

We describe the development of the Safe Tractor Assessment and Rating System (STARS), a design-based tractor safety rating system that can be applied to new or used tractors to provide an objective assessment of their inherent safety features. A predictive rating system model, based on technical inspection, was used. Key principles underlying the system included the potential for design features to reduce the risk of an injury event occurring, and to reduce the risk of injury if such an event did occur. The rating system was based on current standards, research literature, injury and fatality data, and farmer input via focus groups. Development was an iterative process involving field, pilot, and inter-rater reliability tests. The final system was divided into six domains: rollover protection, runover protection, user protection, information and controls, pedestrian protection, and options. Within each domain, optimum design features were described for the common or serious potential injury risks, and a score was assigned for each feature. Scores were translated into a star rating, from zero stars for virtually no inherent safety features to five stars for the highest inherent safety, for each of the six domains. STARS distinguished well between older tractor models known to have few inherent safety features and newer tractor models known to have higher levels of inherent safety. STARS can provide tractor manufacturers, dealers, and users with information critical for managing tractor-associated injury risk. In Australia, it is initially being implemented within the curriculum of the technical education and training sector.