Prevention effectiveness of rollover protective structures--Part II: Decision analysis

This is the second of three articles that evaluate the consequences of using rollover protective structures (ROPS) on agricultural tractors. It presents the results of a decision analysis that compares three strategies for preventing injuries when agricultural tractors without ROPS overturn. The three strategies examined are "do nothing", "install ROPS", and "replace tractor". The strategies are implemented over a five-year period and health outcomes expressed as fatal and nonfatal injuries are calculated over a 23-year period. The "do nothing" strategy would result in 1,450 fatalities and 1,806 nonfatal injuries, while the "install ROPS" strategy would prevent 1,176 fatalities and 957 nonfatal injuries, and the "replace tractor" strategy would prevent 1,188 fatalities and 967 nonfatal injuries. The latter two strategies reflect more than an 80% reduction in fatalities and about 53% reduction in nonfatal injuries. The study does not consider overturn injuries that result from tractors lacking ROPS and for which ROPS are unavailable.     

ROPS retrofitting: measuring effectiveness of incentives and uncovering inherent barriers to success

Tractor overturns are the leading cause of all tractor- and machinery-related fatalities in the agricultural industry. A rollover protective structure (ROPS) on a tractor is the most effective mechanism for protecting a tractor operator's life during a tractor overturn incident. Unfortunately, about half of all tractors presently in operation in the U.S. do not have a ROPS. Retrofitting such tractors with ROPS could result in an as much as a 99% reduction in fatalities associated with tractor overturns. The overall aim of this study was to determine the level of financial incentive required to motivate the maximum number of farmers to install ROPS on non-ROPS equipped tractors and thus affect the greatest level of change within the farming community. This was done by offering a range of subsidy levels by percentage and not by specific dollar amounts to a random sampling of New York farms. A secondary goal was to find any hidden problems associated with retrofitting. Study results showed that cost was not the only factor affecting farmers' reluctance to retrofit. A perceived and actual "hassle factor" was found to be endemic to the retrofitting process and a significant obstacle to farmers' willingness to retrofit, no matter the level of financial subsidy.     

Development and validation of a computer program to design and calculate ROPS

In Spain, there are more than 250,000 tractors built before 1980, when it became mandatory for all new tractors to be equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). A similar situation is found in the European Union, but the situation is worse in the U.S. and in developing countries. Directive 2003/37/EEC establishes that tractors over 800 kg weight can be homologated by using the OECD standard code for the official testing of protective structures on agricultural and forestry tractors (static test), called Code 4. A ROPS attachable to the rear axle of different tractor models has been designed, and a computer program for the calculation of the ROPS design has been developed. The program, named ESTREMA, is available at: www.cfnavarra.es/insl. Using this program, it has been possible to design a ROPS for the Massey Ferguson model 178 tractor, one of the most common tractor models without a ROPS in Spain. After the tractor was equipped with the designed ROPS, it was tested at the Spanish Authorized Station for testing ROPS and passed the homologation test (OECD Code 4), the main results being a maximum distortion of 21.3 cm when the absorbed energy was 5437 N and the maximum force applied was 34 kN during loading from the side. The ROPS was improved, redesigned, and remounted on the tractor, the tractor was tested in a real overturn, and no part of the structure intruded on the driver's clearance zone during the test. In conclusion, the ESTREMA program worked correctly, and the designed ROPS was able to pass the authorized test and provide adequate protection to the operator during a real overturn.     

Projected incidence and cost of tractor overturn-related injuries in the United States

In 2004, the Agricultural Safety and Health Centers, supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, launched an initiative to conduct research on the consequences of and approaches to control of agricultural tractor-related injuries. The most significant cause of fatal injuries is associated with tractor overturns, and a recognized intervention to control these injuries is equipping the tractor with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of tractor-related fatal and nonfatal injuries and their social costs. Based upon the annual average incidence of 125 tractor-overturn-related fatalities in the U.S. for the period 1992 to 2002, an analysis was conducted of injuries over the 25-year period 1997 to 2021. Using the number of fatalities as an index value, the analysis found that in 1997, there were a total of 2,412 tractor overturns. These overturns were associated with 125 deaths and 573 nonfatal injuries requiring at least outpatient treatment. Compared to ROPS-equipped tractors, 123 (98.6%) deaths and 543 (95%) of nonfatal injuries were associated with non-ROPS tractor overturns. The undiscounted social cost of these injuries totaled $1.5 billion in 2006 dollars for the 25-year period when using cost factors for the agricultural population. When discounted at 3%, this total was $1.1 billion, and when discounted at 5%, it was $0.9 billion. In an alternative analysis, when using cost factors for all occupations including agriculture, the undiscounted social cost totaled $2.9 billion, $2.1 billion when discounted at 3%, and $1.7 billion discounted at 5% for the 25-year period. Non-ROPS tractors as compared to ROPS-equipped tractors account for at least 97% of the costs, no matter the discount rate or cost factors used.     

Rollover protection on New York tractors and farmers' readiness for change

Tractor overturns contribute significantly to fatalities in New York State agriculture. On-site inspections a decade ago indicated that approximately 60% of tractors were without effective rollover protection. Our objectives were: to describe the current prevalence and distribution of rollover protective structures (ROPS) on New York farm tractors, to identify characteristics associated with the absence of ROPS, to explore segmenting the New York farm community on readiness for ROPS retrofitting, and to identify demographic characteristics that might assist in this segmenting. A random selection of 644 livestock, dairy, fruit, cash crop, vegetable, and organic farms were contacted for a telephone survey. Of 562 farms (87%) participating, 102 (18.1%) had all tractors equipped with ROPS and 138 (24.6%) had none. A disproportionate number of livestock, cash crop, and organic operations had no ROPS. Rates of ROPS-equipped tractors correlated directly with farm size and annual hours of tractor operation. Older farmers had a lower proportion of ROPS tractors. The presence of a child operator did not affect the proportion of ROPS tractors. After weighting the sample, the total number of non-ROPS tractors in New York is estimated at more than 80,000. In addition to providing key farm demographics, the survey enabled placement of farmers on a "stage of change" continuum related to readiness for retrofitting. Three-quarters of New York farmers are in the "precontemplation" stage of change relative to ROPS retrofitting, and this varies little by size of operation, age of farmer, or the presence of child tractor operators. Stage of change may relate to hours of tractor operation (p = 0.05) and does relate to commodity (p = 0.003) due primarily to the higher proportion of crop farmers in the earliest stage of change. The goal of retrofitting all New York farm tractors with ROPS appears nearly as daunting as it did a decade ago.     

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.     

Stories or statistics? Farmers' attitudes toward messages in an agricultural safety campaign

Farming is the second most hazardous occupation in the U.S. The high mortality rate is due in large part to farm equipment hazards, particularly tractor overturns. Injuries and deaths associated with tractor overturns could be prevented with the use of a rollover protective structure (ROPS). In spite of the known dangers associated with overturn incidents, farmers are reluctant to retrofit ROPS on older tractors. Few agricultural safety campaigns target the issue of ROPS retrofits, and none have been evaluated systematically. This article reports a study that examines a set of messages that were central to the Community Partners for Healthy Farming project. This study indicates that narrative-based messages and messages incorporating fear appeals are more favorably evaluated by farmers than messages that simply inform farmers or messages that rely on statistics.     

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.     

Prevention effectiveness of rollover protective structures--Part I: Strategy evolution

This is the first of three articles that evaluate the health and economic consequences of the use of rollover protective structures (ROPS) on agricultural tractors. The effectiveness of ROPS delivered through alternative intervention strategies is the subject of the three-part study. This part of the study reviews and assesses the evolution of interventions that are known to prevent injuries incurred as a result of tractor overturns. The method used is historical analysis framed against a prevention effectiveness model used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two intervention strategies were found to be potentially effective in preventing injuries from tractor overturns. These strategies are either to install a ROPS on tractors that lack a ROPS or to replace the tractor with one that has a ROPS already mounted. Other prevention factors include the effectiveness and use of seatbelts and the integrity of the ROPS system during an overturn.     

Operator assessment of tractor roll angle with and without a tractor stability visual feedback device

According to a 2004 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report, approximately 250 to 350 fatalities occur each year due to incidents involving production agriculture workers and tractors. Tractor overturns account for about 150 to 200 of these deaths. The goals of this project were to study operators' understanding of tractor roll angles and test a device to effectively deliver stability information to the tractor operator. This project required the design and construction of a full-scale tractor cab roll simulator that was used to identify lateral roll angles at which volunteer participants felt uncomfortable, as well as lateral roll angles at which they would no longer operate a tractor. In addition, the participants performed a series of tasks to test the functionality of a visual slope indicator that was designed to help them estimate slope angles. The project tested 231 tractor operators' perceptions of safe operation on side slopes and 128 participants' interactions with the visual slope indicator. Testing showed that the visual slope indicator was able to influence the angle estimations of the novice tractor operator population and helped the entire population of participants more accurately rank the simulator scenarios.     

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。     

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.     

基于实际作业工况的拖拉机能效评价

为深入了解拖拉机实际作业的能效情况,该研究提出基于实际作业工况的拖拉机能效评价方法,对拖拉机整体能效进行全面度量。基于距离最短分区原理,通过K-means聚类与成对比较矩阵方法进行拖拉机发动机常用工况点提取;通过对186台162 kW的拖拉机能效分析,提出拖拉机能效等级划分标准,确定能效限值和各级能效比限值,并对不同作业环节的平均能效进行分析。研究结果显示:拖拉机发动机实际8工况点和ISO稳态8工况点区别较大;不同拖拉机能效差异较大,50%的拖拉机能效值分布在3.20～3.65 (kW·h)/kg区间;162 kW拖拉机实际能效合格限值为3.07 (kW·h)/kg;拖拉机不同作业环节的平均能效值差异大,旋耕作业的平均能效值最高,行走模式最低。研究结果可为发动机节能减排技术升级提供数据基础,也可为农机节能考核、与绿色化作业水平挂钩的应用补贴方法研究等提供参考。     

IT—Information Technology and the Human Interface: Ergonomics of Tractors Assembled in Nigeria

The Nigerian-assembled tractors (Fiat and Steyr) are foreign manufactured; hence, there is a need to ascertain their suitability for the Nigerian user. Some specific features of these tractors were considered for appraisal. These are access to the tractor, seat design, tractor steering design, tractor workspace and control. One model each of the two brands of tractors (Fiat 80-66 and Steyr 8075) and a sample of user population drawn from Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, Minna, Nigeria, were used for the experiments. Measurements of dimensions and locations of different controls from the seat reference point (SRP) were taken. Anthropometric measurements on related body parts of the sample user population were conducted in linear and angular measurements. The 5th and 95th percentile values of the data were calculated. These values were used to appraise the suitability of the tractors for the Nigerian user. Results show that due to lack of footstep in Steyr 8075, operators are over-tasked as they get on the tractor. Furthermore, operators are subjected to strains caused due to steering wheel size and thickness, and pains experienced through body movement while activating controls. Similarly, lack of protection against rainfall and other environmental factors was shown to be a major deficiency in the tractors. In view of these problems, certain modifications are suggested to improve operator safety and comfort. They include (a) provision of footstep for Steyr and hand supports for Fiat, (b) reduction of steering wheel size and thickness for Steyr and (c) provision of a well-ventilated cabin and rollover protective structure (ROPS) for both Fiat and Steyr.     

混合动力拖拉机动力耦合装置的研制

近年来,农用车辆特别是拖拉机对环境和资源造成的压力逐年增大,开展节能环保拖拉机特别是混合动力拖拉机的研发已成为迫在眉睫的重要课题,而动力耦合装置是混合动力拖拉机的核心。该文根据拖拉机工作特性和传动特性要求,对混合动力拖拉机动力耦合装置传动比、特征参数和齿数匹配等进行了设计。根据传动载荷需求和制造工艺要求进行了结构设计和强度校核,研制了适用于并联式混合动力拖拉机的动力耦合装置。在自行搭建的混合动力拖拉机试验台上对该耦合装置进行了测试。试验结果表明,该装置能够满足拖拉机工作状态下的工作特性要求,输出端转速对动力源的转速变化很敏感,实时变化性能优,而输出端转矩对动力源转速变化不敏感。该耦合装置的研制为混合动力拖拉机的研发提供了基础。     

Risk perceptions, barriers, and motivators to tractor ROPS retrofitting in the New York state farm community

The prevalence of tractor rollovers among agricultural workers has made the retrofitting of tractors with rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts a public health priority for agricultural health and safety specialists. To address this concern, the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) developed a seven-question survey, designed to assess perceptions of risk as well as potential motivators and barriers to retrofitting. Data from 465 phone surveys were gathered from New York State farmers representing various commodities and farm sizes. Analysis of responses to three qualitative questions contained in the survey indicated that most farmers in New York understand the importance of ROPS but lack the proper motivation to consider retrofitting. It appears that more convenient safety strategies, cost, and age of the tractor compete with a farmer's initiative to retrofit. In addition, survey responses illustrate that although many farmers believe ROPS are important in a general sense, many believe that this safety measure is not necessary for them in particular. Frequent motivators to retrofitting are concerns about safety, although the authors conclude that a more thorough analysis of these "general safety concerns" in qualitative interviews is important.     

Seatbelt use during tractor overturns

In 2002, the Kentucky Farm Tractor Overturn Survey was administered, in which 6,063 randomly selected farm operators responded to questions that addressed the presence and use of seatbelts in the event of a tractor overturn. Data were analyzed to determine the proportion of seatbelt presence and use on tractors that overturned differentiated by whether they were equipped or not equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS). In 537 overturns reported for which the ROPS status was known, 92 involved ROPS-equipped tractors, of which 60 had a functioning seatbelt, and 19 operators of these tractors used the seatbelt that was present during the overturn. However, of the 445 overturns of non-ROPS tractors, eight had a functioning seatbelt, and three of these operators wore the seatbelt. Two of the three operators that wore seatbelts on non-ROPS tractors suffered a permanent disability. In contrast, of the 19 operators who wore a seatbelt on ROPS-equipped tractors, 18 experienced no or minor injuries, and one required outpatient care. Seatbelts are known to save lives but are a secondary safety device to ROPS, for ROPS alone saves lives and is a necessary pre-condition for seatbelt presence and use.     

Frequency and severity of injuries to operators during overturns of farm tractors

Previous estimates of operator death from farm tractor overturn events range from 0.03 to 0.68. This study provided population-based estimates of the denominator of total farm tractor overturns and the frequency of six classes of overturn injury outcomes for tractors with and without rollover protective structures (ROPS). A 40-item telephone survey collected information from a random sample of 6,063 (8.0%) Kentucky farms about each farm's most recent overturn. A total of 551 (9.1%) farms reported overturns, and 5,512 (90.1%) reported no overturns. Injury outcomes for 443 overturns of non-ROPS tractors and 89 ROPS tractors were distributed as follows: no or minor injury (non-ROPS: 70.43%; ROPS: 82.02%), outpatient treatment (non-ROPS: 21.90%; ROPS: 9.00%), hospital admission (non-ROPS: 15.35%; ROPS: 3.37%), temporary disability (non-ROPS: 13.54%; ROPS: 14.61%), permanent disability (non-ROPS: 3.16%; ROPS: 0.00%), and death (non-ROPS: 5.42%; ROPS: 1.12%). (Percents total to more than 100 because some operators treated as outpatients were subsequently hospitalized, disabled, or died.) The observed 0.054 probability of death from overturn of non-ROPS tractors in this sample was corrected for the proportion of farms that went out of business prior to the survey and thus were excluded from the sampling frame. The adjusted 0.08 probability of death from overturn of a non-ROPS tractor is five times smaller than the NIOSH estimate of 0.40. The discrepancy lies in the much larger denominator of all non-fatal and fatal overturns than assumed previously.     

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.     

Performance of an automatically deployable ROPS on ASAE tests

In the U.S., approximately 132 agricultural tractor overturn fatalities occur per year. The use of rollover protective structures (ROPS), along with seat belts, is the best-known method for preventing these fatalities. However, one impediment to ROPS use is low-clearance situations, such as orchards and animal confinement buildings. To address the need for ROPS that are easily adapted to low-clearance situations, the Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, developed a prototype automatically deploying, telescoping ROPS (AutoROPS). The NIOSH AutoROPS consists of two subsystems. The first is a retractable ROPS that is normally latched in its lowered position for day-to-day use. The second subsystem is a sensor that monitors the operating angle of the tractor. If an overturn condition is detected by the sensor, the retracted ROPS will deploy and lock in the full upright position before ground contact. Static load testing and field upset tests of the NIOSH AutoROPS have been conducted in accordance with SAE standard J2194. Additionally, timed trials of the AutoROPS deployment mechanism were completed. The results of these tests show that the NIOSH AutoROPS has significant potential to overcome the limitations of current ROPS designs for use in low clearance as well as unrestricted clearance operations.