FW: Young tractor operators

[Guest guest]

From: Barbara Vodapivc

Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:42

AM

Subject: Young tractor operators

– This came in from AgHealth. Barb

Forces required to operate controls on

farm tractors: Implications for young operators. Fathallah, F. A.; Chang, J. H.; Berg, R. L.; Pickett, W.;

Marling, B. Ergonomics, July

2008, Vol. 51 Issue 7, p1096-1108.

Abstract: Farm tractors account for the majority of fatal injuries

to adolescents working in agriculture and therefore remain a leading occupational

priority. The question of whether these injuries occur because adolescents are

assigned tractor jobs beyond their physical capabilities has not been answered.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the activation forces required to

operate controls on 40 tractors in common use in the US and compare them with existing

estimates of physical strength for children of varying ages and with

recommended ergonomic force limits for repeatedly engaging controls. Activation

forces for steering, brakes and clutch were measured on each tractor.

The main study finding was that the activation forces

required to operate tractors typically exceeded the physical abilities of most

children aged 13 to 17 years. This raises serious questions about the ability of

children to safely operate tractors in common use on US farms. This study

provides an ergonomic approach for evaluating the potential mismatch between

young people's strength capabilities and forces required in operating farm

tractors. This approach could be used in similar situations where adolescents

may operate vehicles (e.g. all-terrain vehicles), machinery or other mechanical

devices requiring activation of levers and controls. Study findings potentially

inform the establishment of occupational policies surrounding tractor operation

by young people.