Injury/Fatality-Causing Incidents Involving the Rearward Movement of Agricultural Machinery: Types, Causes, and Preventive Measures
Abstract
:1. Introduction
Background
2. Methods and Findings
2.1. Identified Rearward Movement-Related Incidents
- Scenario 1. Incident in which the operator loses visual contact with a known assistant/co-worker to the rear of the machine during backup, resulting in runover or crushing of the assistant/co-worker.
- Scenario 2. Incident in which the operator is unaware of a bystander being present to the rear of the machine during backup, resulting in runover or crushing of the bystander.
- Scenario 3. Incident involving the operator only, in which he/she backs the machine into a stationary object (e.g., building, tree, other equipment) or hazard (e.g., overhead power line, ditch), resulting in severe injury or death of the operator.
2.2. Representative Scenario Cases Studies
- Scenario 1 example. On 3 May 2013, an 81-year-old man died after being backed over by a tractor, operated by a 68-year-old male. The victim was helping to hitch a mowing attachment when the operator lost visual contact with him as he (the assistant) lost his balance and fell. The county coroner said, “He was crushed when the tractor backed over the top of him. He died instantly” [7].
- Scenario 2 example. On 9 September 2010, a 1-year old died after being backed over by a tractor, operated by his father. The victim was playing nearby with his siblings and under supervision of their mother, while the father was doing landscaping work around their home. The mother had briefly walked away and, unbeknownst to the father, the victim stepped into the space behind the tractor, which resulted in the incident [8].
- Scenario 3 example. On 3 November 2014, a 65-year-old man, who was moving a big round hay bale with a tractor in reverse, could not see the aluminum round-bale feeding ring behind him, because the bale was obstructing his view. The county sheriff spokesman said that when backing up, the tractor rolled over the feeding ring, causing it (the ring) to spring up off the ground, striking the operator in the head. Despite the victim’s wife being present, she could do nothing to revive him [9].
2.3. Case Study Demographics
3. Discussion and Recommendations
- Scenario 1 recommendations. (1) Operator should stop immediately upon losing visual contact with assistant [11]; (2) Proper hitching methods should be followed [12]; (3) Assistant should maintain a safe distance from the path of the tractor/implement and should direct operator using hand signals for proper alignment [13]; (4). Tractor should be put into park and/or engine shut off when assistant approaches area to complete hitching [12]; (5) Additional assistive viewing devices, such as mirrors and cameras, should be utilized to eliminate blind spots in dangerous proximity of machinery [14].
- Scenario 2 recommendations. (1) All individuals in proximity of machinery should be informed of dangers associated with machine operation via prior training, machine spotter, alarms, etc. [15]; (2) Additional assistive viewing devices, such as mirrors and cameras, should be utilized to eliminate blind spots in dangerous proximity of machinery [16]; (3) A backup alarm system would alert individuals of reversing machinery [17].
- Scenario 3 recommendations. (1) Additional assistive viewing devices, such as mirrors and cameras, should be utilized to eliminate blind spots in dangerous proximity of machinery [14]; (2) Tractors should be equipped with a roll-over protective structure [18]; (3) Addition of a canopy or Forward Overhead Protection System (FOPS) can protect operator from elements and offer additional structure of protection.
3.1. Ways of Alerting the Bystander/Assistant
3.2. Ways of Alerting the Operator
3.3. Hitching Process Protection for the Assistant
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
Nomenclature
Appendix A
Sources of the 35 Clearly Identified Rearward Travel-Related Injury Incidents
Arizona Daily Sun (2011) | Child Run over, Killed by Tractor. Flagstaff, AZ, USA. Available online: http://azdailysun.com/news/local/child-run-over-killed-by-tractor/article_dd9e19be-ca37-5488-9b4a-9c098b801665.html (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
Dublin.ie (2014) | Nolan, Dnal. Man Injured under Tractor; Independent House: Dublin, Ireland, 2014. Available online: http://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/man-injured-under-tractor-30106121.html. (accessed on 7 April 2016). |
Field, W.E. (2016) | Ehlers, S.G. (Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA). Personal communication, 2016. |
Fresno Bee (2008) | Fresno Bee. Tractor Runs over Worker; Fresno Bee: Fresno, CA, USA, 2008. Available online: www.fresnobee.com/2008/07/07/715675/news-briefs.html#storylink=cpy (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
Houston Chronicle (2014) | Houston Chronicle. Freak Tractor Accident Kills Liberty County Man; Houston Chronicle: Houston, TX, USA, 2014. Available online: www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Freak- tractor-accident-kills-Liberty-County-man-5865257.php (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
Illinois Extension (2012) | Illinois Extension. Illinois Farm Relate Fatalities, 1986–2012; Illinois Extension, University of Illinois: Champaign, IL, USA, 2012. Available online: my.extension.illinois.edu/documents/2377131107130713/ Illinois%20F arm%20Related%20Fatalities%201986.pdf (accessed on 7 April 2016). |
KFGO (2016) | Deadly Farm Accident in Douglas County. Fargo, ND, USA. Available online: http://kfgo.com/news/articles/2016/nov/12/deadly-farm-accident-in-douglas-county/ (accessed on 15 November 2016). |
KMBC (2014) | KMBC. Marshall Man Dies in Tractor Accident; KMBC: Kansas City, MO, USA, 2014. Available online: www.kmbc.com/news/marshall-man-dies-in-tractor-accident/27927770 (accessed on 7 April 2016). |
KRCG (2014) | KRCG. Missouri Man Dies in Tractor Accident; KRCG: New Bloomfield, MO, USA, 2014. Available online: http://krcgtv.com/news/local/missouri-man-dies-in-tractor-accident (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
KXRA (2014) | KXRA. Man Seriously Injured in Farm Accident near Underwood; KXRA: Alexandria, MN, USA, 2014. Available online: www.voiceofalexandria.com/news/local/man-seriously-injured-in-farm-accident-near-underwood/article_d71d328e-0e79-11e4-8b2b-001a4bcf6878.html? TNNoMobile (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
Lancaster Online (2013) | Lancaster Online. Man, 81, Run over, Killed by Tractor in East Hempfield Township; Lancaster Online: Lancaster, PA, USA, 2013. Available online: www.lancasteronline.com/news/man-run-over-killed-by-tractor-in-east-hempfield-township/article_d6831866-c441-57ea-9027-4231f76cdf05.html (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
NIOSH (1992) | National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 9307; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 1992. |
NIOSH (1996) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 96MO082; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 1996. |
NIOSH (1998a) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 98IA037; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 1998. |
NIOSH (1998b) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 98MN030; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 1998. |
NIOSH (1999) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 99TX38101; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 1999. |
NIOSH (2001) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 01CA008; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 2001. |
NIOSH (2002) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 02CA010; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 2002. |
NIOSH (2005) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 04IA017; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 2005. |
NIOSH (2009) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report 2008-01; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 2009. |
NIOSH (2015) | NIOSH. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report: Agriculture; NIOSH: Washington, DC, USA, 2015. Available online: wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSHFACE/Default.cshtml?state=ALL&Incident_Year=ALL&Category2= 0001&Submit=Submit (accessed on 3 April 2015). |
Otago Daily Times (2013) | Otago Daily Times. Wife Backed Over, Killed near Christchurch; Otago Daily Times: Dunedin, NZ, USA, 2013. Available online: www.odt.co.nz/news/national/278363/wife-backed-over-killed-near-christchurch (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
SnoValley Star (2010) | SnoValley Star. Logger Taken by Helicopter to Harborview after Tractor Crushes His Leg; SnoValley Star: Issaquah, WA, USA, 2010. Available online: www.snovalleystar.com/2010/12/07/logger-taken-by-helicopter-to-harborview-after-tractor-crushes-his-leg (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
Suzuki Law (2013) | Suzuki Law. Construction Worker Killed after Being Run over by Tractor; Suzuki Law Offices: Phoenix, AZ, USA, 2013. Available online: www.suzukilawoffices.com/Blog/2013/March/ Construction-Worker- Killed-After-Being-Run-Over-.aspx (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
Virgin Islands Daily News (2011) | Virgin Islands Daily News. Tractor Crushes Man to Death at landfill; Virgin Islands Daily News: St. Thomas, VI, USA, 2011. Available online: www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/tractor-crushes-man to-death-at-landfill-1.1248624 (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
WLFI (2016) | WLFI. Fatal Tractor Accident in Newton County; WLFI: West Lafayette, IN, USA, 2016. Available online: www.wlfi.com/2016/02/26/fatal-tractor-accident-in-newton-county (accessed on 30 7 April 2016). |
WMC-TV (2010) | WMC-TV. Man Accidently Backs over One-Year-Old Child with Tractor; WMC-TV: Memphis, TN, USA, 2010. Available online: www.wbtv.com/story/13123088/man-accidentally- backs-over-one-year-old-child-with-tractor (accessed on 30 December 2014). |
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Type of Machine | Type of Worksite | Scenario ** | Description of Incident | Fatal (Yes/No) | Victim Age | Victim Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pickup truck | Agriculture | 1 | Operator crushed assistant while hitching wagon | Yes | 39 | Male |
Semi-tractor/trailer | Agriculture | 1 | Operator crushed assistant while positioning trailer | Yes | 56 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 1 | Operator backed over assistant | Yes | -- | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 1 | Operator backed over assistant while hitching implement | Yes | 81 | Male |
Truck/trailer | Agriculture | 1 | Operator crushed assistant while positioning trailer | Yes | 12 | Male |
Front loader | Construction | 1 | Operator lost visual contact and backed over assistant | Yes | -- | Male |
Tractor | Industrial | 1 | Operator crushed assistant while hitching implement | No | 49 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 1 or 2 | Operator backed over wife in livestock feeding area | Yes | 50's | Female |
Tractor | Logging | 1 or 2 | Operator crushed assistant in “cramped work environment” | No | -- | Male |
Tractor | -- | 1 or 2 | Operator backed over victim's leg | No | 18 | Male |
Type of Machine | Type of Worksite | Scenario ** | Description of Incident | Fatal (Yes/No) | Victim Age | Victim Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tractor | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved child | Yes | 1 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved child | Yes | 5 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved assistant with grain wagon | Yes | 65 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over assistant while hitching implement | Yes | 12 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over coworker servicing implement | No | 28 | Male |
Cotton module transport | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over assistant while positioning equipment | Yes | 35 | Male |
Combine Harvester | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over brother in corn field | Yes | 63 | Male |
Skid steer | Agriculture | 2 | Operator backed over wife while exiting storage facility | Yes | 65 | Female |
Front loader | Construction | 2 | Operator backed over coworker working near by | Yes | 31 | Male |
Front loader | Construction | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved coworker | Yes | 19 | Male |
Grader | Construction | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved coworker | Yes | 32 | Male |
Skid steer | Construction | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved coworker | Yes | 45 | Male |
Tractor | Construction | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved coworker | Yes | -- | Male |
Tractor | Industrial | 2 | Operator unloading cargo backed over unobserved coworker | No | -- | Male |
Compacting tractor | Landfill | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved victim | Yes | 31 | Male |
Compacting tractor | Landfill | 2 | Operator backed over unobserved coworker | Yes | 55 | Male |
Type of Machine | Type of Worksite | Scenario ** | Description of Incident | Fatal (Yes/No) | Victim Age | Victim Gender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combine | Agriculture | 3 | Operator backed into overhead power line | Yes | 20's | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator fell from tractor and was backed over | No | 60's | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator backed into low barn door header (No ROPS) | Yes | 40's | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator backed over embankment | Yes | 74 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator using loader attachment backed into tree | Yes | 65 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator backed over embankment | Yes | 74 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator backed into stationary hazard | Yes | 65 | Male |
Tractor | Agriculture | 3 | Operator backed over embankment | Yes | 73 | Male |
Skid steer | Construction | 3 | Operator backed over embankment | Yes | 43 | Male |
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Ehlers, S.G.; Field, W.E. Injury/Fatality-Causing Incidents Involving the Rearward Movement of Agricultural Machinery: Types, Causes, and Preventive Measures. Safety 2017, 3, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety3010008
Ehlers SG, Field WE. Injury/Fatality-Causing Incidents Involving the Rearward Movement of Agricultural Machinery: Types, Causes, and Preventive Measures. Safety. 2017; 3(1):8. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety3010008
Chicago/Turabian StyleEhlers, Shawn G., and William E. Field. 2017. "Injury/Fatality-Causing Incidents Involving the Rearward Movement of Agricultural Machinery: Types, Causes, and Preventive Measures" Safety 3, no. 1: 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety3010008