Citation

Springfeldt B, Thorson J, Lee BC. J. Agric. Saf. Health 1998; 4(3): 173-180.

Affiliation

Karolinska Inst, Stockholm, Sweden

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, American Society of Agricultural Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze Sweden's experience of farm tractor rollover injuries over three decades during which policy requirements for safety features on tractors were first introduced and then later strengthened. The incidence of fatal and nonfatal tractor rollover injuries was compared with the proportion of farm tractors with and without rollover protective structures (ROPS) at different times from the late 1950s up to 1990.

From the period 1957-1964 to the period 1986-1990 rollover fatalities decreased from 12 to 0.2 per 100,000 farm tractors. During that same period, the total number of Swedish farm tractors rose by 275% and the proportion of those tractors equipped with ROPS increased from 6% to 93%. The Swedish approach for prevention of fatal and nonfatal tractor rollover injuries was successful, emphasizing the value of public policy requiring ROPS on farm tractors.