Assessing Senior Farmersâ Perceptions of Tractor and Machinery-related Hazards

Journal of Safety Research

2008

Problem: Between 1992 and 2005, 1412 workers on farms died from tractor overturns. A Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) is a proven intervention to reduce overturn deaths. However, farm characteristics that are associated with the adoption of ROPS are not well understood. Methods: ROPS prevalence statistics were derived from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveys that tracked ROPS use on farms. Data were from the years 1993, 2001, and 2004. Results: In 1993, 38% of tractors were equipped with ROPS. This increased to 51% by 2004. ROPS prevalence rates were higher on farms in the Southern region of the United States, on farms where the operator was 25-34 years old, and on farms with $100,000 or more of farm sales. Low ROPS prevalence rates were associated with farm operators 65 years old or older and with farms with less than $10,000 of farm product sales. Summary: The increase in ROPS prevalence between 1993 and 2004 has not been sufficient to decrease the rate of tractor overturn deaths on farms. Incentive programs targeting older farm operators and low-income farm operations are suggested to increase ROPS use on tractors. Impact on Industry: The study provides farm characteristics associated with low ROPS prevalence rates. The results can be used to target farms for future ROPS promotion activities.

Section: Factors Related To the Prevalence Of Rops-equipped Tractorssupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Factors Related To the Prevalence Of Rops-equipped Tractorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Factors Related To the Prevalence Of Rops-equipped Tractorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tracking the prevalence of rollover protective structures on U.S. farm tractors: 1993, 2001, and 2004

Loringer

Journal of Safety Research

2008

“…A second study based on a random sample of farmers over the age of 60 years found that senior farmers perceived operating tractors without ROPS as a moderate risk that was more than offset by their years of experience as tractor operators. 28 Similar findings were found in a third study of predominately white farm operators in New York state. 29 Just as was seen with older black farm operators, the farmers in these two studies tended to see no need or cost benefit to retrofitting older tractors with ROPS even though they knew the life-saving value of a ROPS.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…29 Just as was seen with older black farm operators, the farmers in these two studies tended to see no need or cost benefit to retrofitting older tractors with ROPS even though they knew the life-saving value of a ROPS. 25,28,29 Thus, the decision by black farmers and the general farming population to have ROPS on tractors used on farms is a mixture of both economic resources and risk perceptions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS)-Equipped Tractors on Hispanic-Operated Farms in the United States

Journal of Agromedicine

2010

Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) are known to prevent tractor overturn deaths, but not enough tractors are equipped with them in the United States to reduce the rate of these deaths to levels seen in several European countries. Recent literature has defined the use of ROPS on US farms in general, but little is known about ROPS use on Hispanic farm operations. Data from a national survey for the calendar year 2003 were used to assess the prevalence of ROPS use on Hispanic-operated farms. Farm characteristics previously identified to be associated with low ROPS prevalence rates on other farming operations were examined for these Hispanic farming operations. The overall ROPS prevalence rate on Hispanic farms was 52.2%. Adjusted odds ratios of potential risk factors found that the region where the farm was located and the acreage of the farm appeared to be the most significant indicators of the prevalence of ROPS on Hispanic farms. In addition, the age of the farm operator, the farm status as a full- or part-time operation, and the type of farm operation were also important factors. These findings were similar to those seen for racial minority farms and the general farming population. These results can be used to target ROPS promotion programs for Hispanic farmers across the United States.

Injuries and fatalities to U.S. farmers and farm workers 55 years and older

American J Industrial Med

Layne

Marsh

2008