Agricultural work-related fatalities to non-working youth: What can we learn?

Serap Gorucu, Michael L. Pate

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This paper presents data for agricultural work-related fatal injuries to non-working children under the age of 18 in Pennsylvania. Cases of agricultural work-related fatalities of children under 18 years old were identified from Pennsylvania Farm Fatality Database (PA-FFD) for the period 2000-2018. The circumstances of the death in each fatality incident were reviewed from newspaper clippings, death certificates and other reports available to determine the victims' status as either bystander, passenger or other non-working children. The study identified 69 agricultural-related fatalities to non-working youth in PA (2000-2018). The fatalities incidents were coded as non-working accomplice (26), non-working accomplice extra rider (14), non-working attendant (25) and ambiguous (4). Fatalities to children under 5 years of age accounted for 74% of the non-working youth fatalities and male (75%). Plain sect or Anabaptists composed 78% of the cases. Children contribute significantly to the overall burden of agricultural work-related fatal injury in PA especially as bystanders. We conclude from the review of the data presented that fatal non-work-related injuries to children on farms are preventable. The process of identifying different injury patterns associated with non-work-related child activity has increased our understand of how safety professionals and community members may help prevent these fatalities. Many researchers have noted a variety of interventions efforts that show potential for providing safer farm and home environments but will need long-term commitments in various capacities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019
Event2019 ASABE Annual International Meeting - Boston, United States
Duration: Jul 7 2019Jul 10 2019

Conference

Conference2019 ASABE Annual International Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period7/7/197/10/19

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Bioengineering

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