ATV safety in agriculture: Injury, illness, analysis and interventions

Abstract

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have been implicated in over 14,000 deaths since 1982 and continue to be a major public health transportation related hazard. An estimated 78% of riders use ATVs for recreational purposes and the remaining 22% use the vehicles for various occupational applications. Recent data analysis reveals a 300% increase in work related ATV deaths. The agricultural community bares the greatest burden, experiencing 65% of all occupational related fatalities occurring on the farm or ranch. An examination of 1230 cases reveal that patterns exist between agent, host and environmental factors. Haddon’s energy transfer injury theory provides an opportunity to develop human factors and ergonomic safety interventions. This presentation will include some of the historical background on the expanding popularity of ATVs, epidemiology of injury and illness related to loss of control events, case studies that demonstrate a range of interventions and application of human factors principles.