Citation

Mohan D, Kumar A, Patel R, Varghese M. Safety Sci. 2004; 42(1): 43-55.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Fodder-cutter machines are used everyday by farmers and their families in India for preparation of fodder for the livestock they own. An epidemiological study done in north India showed that all age groups sustain fodder-cutter injuries while operating the machine. More than 45 and 64% of the victims were children below 15 years of age in Phase I and II. The injuries led to a large number of limb amputations [43 cases (80%)] among the persons operating the machine or playing with the machine taking treatments in the study area hospitals. A detailed study of injuries and machine characteristics resulted in a safer fodder-cutter design. The design changes are cost effective and can be incorporated,in both existing and new fodder-cutter machines. This paper reports the process of the community-based study and the safer design features of fodder-cutter machine.