ABSTRACT

Purpose: All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are valuable assets on farms and ranches, but are associated with a growing proportion of U.S. agricultural work-related deaths and injuries. The objectives of this study were to investigate the experiences of private pesticide applicators in using ATVs for spraying and determine the mechanisms of injury and contributing factors associated with occupational deaths while spraying with ATVs.

Methods: Participants of the Iowa 2015–2016 Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course were questioned about their use of ATVs for spraying and their crash experiences on their course evaluation forms. In addition, the Iowa Fatality Assessment & Control Evaluation (FACE) program database was utilized to identify occupational ATV sprayer-related deaths from 1996 to 2014. Descriptive analyses were performed.

Results/Findings: A total of 6,344 private pesticide applicators completed the course and evaluation form. Nearly two-thirds (65%) reported having used an ATV for spraying herbicides. Of these, 8% had been in a crash while spraying with an ATV. All occupational ATV-related deaths in the FACE database from 1996 to 2014 (N = 29) were in agriculture. Over two-fifths of the fatalities involved a sprayer, with 10 occurring while spraying with an ATV. Of these ten deaths, eight were male, and one-half were 70 years-of-age and older. All crashes occurred during the day, but many victims were found hours after the event. All fatalities involved a rollover with the individual being pinned under the ATV resulting in compression asphyxia. Eight involved sloped terrain or a ditch, and in the other two the slope of the terrain was not known/recorded. None of the crashes were witnessed or known to involve alcohol.

Practical Application: Spraying with ATVs appears to be a major risk factor for ATV-related occupational death. Older applicators may be at greater risk, and spraying on sloped terrain is a major contributing factor. Tanks mounted on the rear rack and the shifting of tank fluid likely cause changes in the center of mass, which are conducive to ATV rollover. Agricultural workers who utilize ATVs for spraying should be targeted for safety education. Courses required for pesticide application may be an important venue to impart this instruction.

摘要

目的：全地形车（ATV）是农场和牧场的宝贵资产，但与越来越多的美国农业相关工伤事故相关。这项研究的目的是调查使用ATV进行喷洒的私人农药施用者的经验，并确定在使用ATV进行喷洒时的伤害机理和与职业死亡相关的影响因素。

方法：向爱荷华州2015–2016年私人农药施用者持续指导课程的参加者询问他们在课程评估表上使用ATV进行喷涂的情况以及他们的撞车经历。此外，爱荷华州病死率评估与控制评估（FACE）程序数据库用于识别1996年至2014年与ATV喷雾器相关的职业性死亡。进行了描述性分析。

结果/发现：共有6,344位私人农药施用者完成了课程和评估表。近三分之二（65％）的人报告使用过ATV喷洒除草剂。其中，有8％的人在用ATV喷洒时坠毁。FACE数据库中1996年至2014年（N = 29）的所有与ATV相关的职业死亡均来自农业。死亡人数的五分之二以上涉及喷雾器，其中10例是在用ATV进行喷雾时发生的。在这10例死亡中，有8例是男性，有一半是70岁以上。所有坠机事件均在当天发生，但事件发生数小时后才发现许多受害者。所有死亡都涉及翻车事故，该人被固定在ATV下方，导致压迫性窒息。八个涉及倾斜的地形或沟渠，而另外两个涉及未知的地形/未记录。

实际应用：喷洒ATV似乎是ATV相关职业死亡的主要危险因素。较旧的施药者可能面临更大的风险，在倾斜的地形上喷洒是主要的影响因素。安装在后机架上的油箱和油箱流体的移动可能会导致质心发生变化，这有利于ATV侧翻。使用全地形车进行喷洒的农业工人应接受安全教育。农药施用所需的课程可能是传授此指导的重要场所。