Large machinery and tractor-related injuries on Midwestern agricultural operations

Background: Agricultural injuries associated with large machinery and tractors are a major problem in agricultural household members. We evaluated the incidence and determinants of these injuries in the Regional Rural Injury Study - II (RRIS -II).

Methods: The RRIS-II followed 32,601 people (~85% of eligible) from rural communities in the Midwest for two six-month recall periods in 1999 and 2001 and identified injury events involving children and adults. Demographic, injury, and exposure data were collected through comprehensive and case-control computer-assisted telephone interviews.

Results: Participants experienced 726 large machinery and tractor-related events (22.7 injuries per 1,000 persons/year). Of the events related to production on their own operation, the three most frequent injuries reported for people, aged under 20 years, were cut/laceration/scratch (33% males, 31% female), fracture/dislocation (24% male, 13% female), and bruise/contusion (20% male, 25% female). For adults, differences were observed by gender: sprain/strain (31% male, 34% female), cut/laceration/scratch (22% male), fracture/dislocation (20% male and female), and bruise/contusion (23% female). The reported injuries resulted in more than 7 days of restricted activities for 39% of participants under 20 years of age and 29% of participants aged 20 and older. Similar distributions were observed for injuries incurred on other operations, but differed for non-agricultural injuries.

Conclusions: Large machinery and tractor-related injuries continue to plague agricultural household members and the overall operations. The injury type and subsequent disability differ by age and sex. Further analysis of data from the RRIS II will aid prevention program development.