Evaluating Agricultural Workplace
Assistive Technology for
Secondary Injury Hazards
(
)
Pre-conference workshop, National AgrAbility Training
2010, October 11, 2010
Charleston, West Virginia
Presented by
William E. Field & Samuel N. Mathew
This resource is developed as a part of the NIFA/USDA National AgrAbility Project
Grant no. CSREES/USDA-2008-41590-04796
Workshop Objectives
At the end of session, the attendee will be able to:
1. Explain the reasons for higher workplace injuries in
agriculture compared to other industries.
2. Explain the primary causes of agricultural workplace
injuries.
3. Explain what is meant by secondary injuries
4. Explain how disabilities increase the risk of injury,
especially in agricultural workplace
Workshop Objectives
5. Explain why safety assessment of AT for farmers with
disabilities will result in successful vocational
rehabilitation funding.
6. Identify critical hazards on AT used in agricultural
workplaces
7. Conduct a basic safety assessment of AT used in
agricultural workplace
Definition of Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology (AT) means any item, piece
of equipment, or product system, whether acquired
commercially off the shelf, modified, or
customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve functional capabilities of an individual
with a disability - ‘The Tech Act” (Technology-Related Assistance
for individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988)
Examples of Assistive Technology
in Agricultural Workplace
Person lifts
Added steps
Hand controls
Modified tools
Ramps
Definition of Secondary Injury
Secondary injury can be defined as injury
caused by limitations associated with
disabling conditions and/or resulting from
the use of modified practices or AT to
compensate for disabling conditions.
Examples of Secondary Injury
Burns
Fractures
Pressure sores
Amputation
Loss of hearing
Background
Farming is one of the most hazardous
occupations among American industries
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Working alone
Diverse hazards (fire, chemicals etc.)
Age of worker (young/old)
Repetitive motion
Unpredictable environment
Diverse terrain
Lack of workplace safety regulations
Background
Estimated number of farmers, ranchers and
other agricultural workers with disabilities
appears to range from 1.14 million to 2.23
million individuals (Deboy et al., 2008)
The Need
Physical and mental disabling conditions
can increase the potential of injuries for
farmers who continue to perform tasks
Studies indicate that > 72% of farmers with
disabilities fabricate their own AT to
continue to perform tasks
Both commercial and home-fabricated AT
can cause injuries
(Allen et al., 1995; Willkomm, 2004)
The Need
Currently there are no comprehensive safety
guidelines or regulations for farmers who
fabricate AT
Currently, rehabilitation professionals and
funding agencies like ‘VR’ do not have a
validated assessment process to
– assess suitability of AT
– evaluate safety of home-fabricated AT
– satisfy their procedural requirements for
providing funding
Prior Reports/Research
Tormoehlen, R. L., & Field, W. E. (1983). Plowshares #1.
Special Breaking New Ground technical report: Potential
health and safety risks of farming with physical handicaps.
West Lafayette, IN: Breaking New Ground Resource Center,
Purdue University.
Allen, P. B., Field, W. E., & Frick, M. J. (1995). Assessment of
work-related injury risk for farmers and ranchers with
physical disabilities. Journal of Agricultural Safety and
Health, 1(2), 71-81.
Willkomm, T. (1997). Risks in using modified tractors by
operators with spinal cord injuries and their co-workers.
(Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh,
PA, 1997), Dissertations and Theses (PQDT).
Prior Reports/Research
Gruver, M.L., Allen, P.B., Field, W. E., & Schweitzer, J.
(1997). Plowshares #27. Special Breaking New Ground
technical report: Potential health and safety risks of
farming/ranching with a disability. West Lafayette, IN:
Breaking New Ground Resource Center, Purdue
University.
Yoder, A. M. (2002). Ergonomic evaluation of commercially
available operator lifts for farmers with disabilities.
(Doctoral dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette,
IN, 2002), ETD Collection for Purdue University.
Prior Reports/Research
Breaking New Ground. (2005). Conducting agricultural
worksite assessments: A user's guide for professionals
assisting farmers & ranchers with physical disabilities (3rd
ed.). West Lafayette, IN: Breaking New Ground Resource
Center, Purdue University.
Kelso, S. A., & Mann, D. D. (2005). Assistive technology
adaptations for farmers with physical disabilities Paper
presented at the CSAE-SCGR 2005 Annual Meeting.
Prior Reports/Research
Kelso, S. A., Stangherlin, A. M., & Mann, D. D. (2008).
Evaluation of mechanical tractor pedal extensions. Journal
of Agricultural Safety and Health, 14(4), 431-439.
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service.
(2008). Assistive technology program for farmers with
disabilities: State and regional AgrAbility projects.
Retrieved August 20, 2009. from http://www.csrees.usda.
gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/08_agrability.pdf.
The Problem
Most AT used by farmers is locally made
and may not comply with current
engineering, regulatory or safe workplace
standards
Assessment Tool Objectives
Building on work previously done for the
agricultural workpace – “Conducting an
Agricultural Worksite Assessment”
AgrAbility professionals should strive to
ensure that whatever they recommend will
result in NO HARM to the client
Assessment Tool - Objectives
Provide an evaluation method for funding
agencies to reasonably estimate the safety
of home-fabricated AT
Training tool for rehabilitation professionals
to assess AT used by farmers with
disabilities
Prevention of secondary injuries
Assessment Tool - Objectives
Help the assessor to identify potential for
injury to the user
The assessor can provide suggestions for
preventive /corrective measures to avoid or
minimize risk of injury
Development Process
Case Studies of farmers
Inputs from professionals who serve
farmers’ with disabilities having AT needs
Development of prototype assessment tool
Content validation by expert panel
Forms of Assistive Technology
Commercially available
Modifications to commercially available
AT
Home-fabricated AT
Common AT Used by Farmers
with Disabilities
Designed by self or friends and family
Fabricated by self or local craftsmen
Specific devices custom-built for a purpose
or modifications to standard equipment
Both power- or manual- operated
Most complex ones are lifts of various kinds
to access farm equipment operator seat
Home-fabricated AT – Lifts
Home-fabricated AT – Hand Control
Home-fabricated AT – Added Steps
Home-fabricated AT –
Cultivating Cart
Home-fabricated AT – Utility
Vehicle
Home-fabricated AT – Lift
Home fabricated AT –- Home
Access Lift
Home-fabricated AT –
Seat Actuator on Tractor
Home-fabricated AT – Sprayer
Home-fabricated AT – Lift
Home-fabricated AT – Added Steps
Home-fabricated AT –
Added Spring Loaded Steps
Home-fabricated AT –
Movement and Speed
Home-fabricated AT – Lift
Home-fabricated AT –
Lift Attached to Tractor
Home-fabricated AT – Steps
Home-fabricated AT –
Lift Attached to Combine
Home-fabricated AT –
Sprayer Platform
BREAK TIME
Contents of Assessment Tool
Section I – Introduction
Section II – Steps in Assessment Process
Section III - Reference sheets
– w/Descriptions and Pictures
Section IV – Assessment Example with all
Worksheets filled
Section V Copy ready assessment sheets
(Worksheets A to F)
Contents (…contd)
Worksheet A Client & Disability Information
Worksheet B AT Information
Worksheet C Quick Reference sheet
Worksheet D Assessment Questions
Worksheet E Problems Observed/Solutions
Worksheet F Results & Recommendations
Practice Time
Open your packet to Section I page I-1
Familiarize with
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Section descriptions at bottom of page I-1
The purpose of the tool Page I-1
Who should use the tool & why Page I-2
Component description (Worksheets) Page I-2
Computer program to enter data & print report
Page I-3
– Recommended toolkit page I-4
Pause for Questions
Questions on Section I?
How to Use the Assessment Tool?
Conversation with the client
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Establish personal rapport
Understand client’s disabilities and strengths
Obtain & fill client information in worksheet A
Obtain & fill AT information in worksheet B
Observe operation of the AT /Examine AT
Read Quick Reference worksheet C and
check mark (X) the items to be assessed.
(Note: If in doubt, check the item)
How to Use the Assessment Tool?
Take pictures of AT where ever required
Refer to Section III as often as required
Systematically check items and answer
questions in Worksheet D
Prepare Worksheet E based on Worksheet D
Discuss, the observations and possible
solution suggestions with the client
Prepare Worksheet F based on Worksheet E
Computer Program
Start the program and enter all the items in
Worksheet A,B,D and fill in Worksheet F.
Upload pictures simultaneously. Before
uploading mark/highlight pictures, if needed
Save file in an appropriate directory with
appropriate ‘filename’ and exit program
Open ‘filename.html’ in browser and print
report that contains Worksheet A,B,D and F
Practice Time
Turn to Section II on page II-1
Review the sub-sections
– Before the Evaluation
– During the Evaluation
– After the Evaluation
Turn to Section IV on page IV-1.
Familiarize with Worksheet A and B
Demonstration of Computer Program:
observe data being entered on screen in
Worksheet A and B
Pause for Questions
Questions on :
– Section II ?
– Worksheet A or B?
– Computer Program?
The Reference Sheets – Section III
One-to-one correspondence to Quick
Reference sheet (Worksheet C) and
Assessment Questions (Worksheet D)
Brief explanation of the intent of the
question
How to Use the Reference Sheets?
Read the reference sheet before answering
the assessment item
Understand the context, the importance of
the assessment question
If more clarity is needed, ask an expert (e.g.
electrician or Professional Engineer) or take
a second opinion based on the observation
The Quick Reference Sheet –
Worksheet C
Checklist to initially identify which all
items are relevant to the AT under
evaluation
Same sequence as Worksheet D
Overview of the assessment in one page
Field accessory for the assessor
Optional to use but helpful for organizing
the assessment process
Assessment Questionnaire –
Worksheet D
55 questions on potential situations for injuries
Items categorized in 8 groups for easier use
Each item has 3 choices
Items ‘not applicable’ can be marked and ruled out
Space for problems observed, solutions suggested
Alternate computer program to enter same data
and produce a report with recommendations
Practice Time
Turn to Section IV. Worksheet C on page
IV-5. Refer to Section III as needed
Turn to Section IV. Worksheet D on page
IV-6 and familiarize with the questions
from IV-6 to IV-12. Refer to Section III
Turn to Section IV Worksheet E page IV-15
to IV-24.
Turn to Section IV Worksheet E on page
IV-25
Pause for Questions
Questions on :
– Section III ?
– Section IV Worksheet C, D, E or F?
– Section V – Copy ready sheets of Worksheet A,
B, C, D, E and F?
Suggested Toolkit for Assessment
Clipboard
Digital Camera
Measuring tape
Angle finder
Calculator
Wire brush
Magnifying glass
Screwdriver
Pliers
Fish scale
Voltage tester
Level
Toolkit Price : Total $ 65.39
Screwdriver (4 piece) + 16’ measuring tape +
Pliers + Knife (‘Task Force’ Brand kit from
Lowe’s)
$9.98
Angle finder (Swanson) from Lowe’s
$9.86
Zebco Fish scale from Wal-mart$5.59
Level from Lowe’s $ 2.00
Ultraoptix Magnifying glass from Staples- $6.99
Wire brush from Tractor Supplies $4.00
Ideal Brand Voltage tester from Lowe’s - $9.98
Clip board with calculator from Staples - $16.99
Tips on Completing Assessment
Don’t assume without knowing all facts
If in doubt, ask the client or an expert
Take variety of pictures, draw diagrams to
explain the problem clearly, and take video
clips. It will help during review session with
the client or another expert
Tips on Completing Assessment
Describe situation in simple terms
Ask an expert if second opinion necessary
Observe the AT during operation
Take measurements, operate levers,
examine closely
Tips on Completing ‘Solutions
Suggested’
Discuss the possible solution(s)with client
Discuss the consequences of not
implementing a solution for the observed
problem
Consider cost, suggest economical solutions
Suggest easily achievable modifications
Provide information on resources available
(e.g. VR)
Tips on Recommendations
Consider suitability of AT to the user
Discuss the problems observed with the
user before making recommendations
Discuss solutions and help the user
understand the potential for injury
Consult with experts or take a second
opinion if required
Sample Home-fabricated AT - Lift
•Frail construction (1)
•No emergency exit (5)
•Winch mechanism not certified
for human lifting (6)
•Dangling wires (18)
•Sharp edges and corners (25)
•Projections on moving parts (26)
•No proper seat belts (38)
•No stabilizing supports (41)
•No back-up power source (47)
•No back-up control switches (48)
•No operating instructions (49)
•And many more …..
Home-fabricated AT – Cultivating
Cart
•No brakes (12)
•Pinch points (22)
•Sharp edges and corners (25)
•Unshielded moving parts (27)
•Weather related restrictions (37)
Home-fabricated AT -Skid Loader
Platform
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Overall weight (8)
Sharp edges or corners (25)
Slippery surfaces (30)
Handrails and handholds (42)
Limitations of Assessment Tool
Not a certification but a guideline
No pass or fail score
There may be features not included
All items not applicable to all ATs
No engineering details
Who Should Use This Tool ?
AT Fabricators
AT Assessment Professionals
Benefit
To estimate the potential for secondary
injury when implementing ATs for
farmers with disabilities
Who Should Use This Tool ?
AT users
Benefit
To have the assurance about the
general safety of the home-fabricated
ATs (that do not undergo rigorous testing
and certification as in the case of a
commercially manufactured equipment)
Who Should Use This Tool ?
Rehabilitation Funding agencies
Benefit
Use the assessment report that
documents the general safety aspects
of home-fabricated ATs used by
farmers with disabilities.
Who Should Use This Tool ?
AgrAbility Staff
Benefit
As a training instrument to identify
potential disability-related hazards on
home-fabricated AT in the agricultural
workplace
Practice Session
Time for practice
Use assessment process on a real AT
Follow instructions about group activity
depending upon size of class
THANK YOU!
Comments or Questions?
National AgrAbility Project
bng@ecn.purdue.edu
Phone: 800-825-4264