Potential Impact of a ROPS Retrofit Policy in Central Iowa
Date
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
Dates of Existence
1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
Related Units
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Abstract
Research studies have shown that tractor rollovers are the leading cause of work-related death in U.S. production agriculture. Previous studies have also shown that while rollover protective structures (ROPS) are the most effective means of preventing these deaths, it is estimated that over half of the tractors in use on U.S. farms are not equipped with ROPS. To gauge the impact of a ROPS retrofit policy, tractor sales in Central Iowa were monitored for a three-month period in early 1998 to determine the proportion of tractors without ROPS being sold by equipment dealers versus those being sold through other channels such as auctions, farm sales, and private transfer. During the study period, 549 tractors sales were documented in Central Iowa. Of these tractors, 72% were equipped with ROPS. Of the 152 that were sold without ROPS, 43% were sold by equipment dealers. ROPS retrofits were readily available for 92% of the tractors that were not equipped with them at the time of the sale. A fully implemented ROPS retrofit program for equipment dealers would have reduced the number of tractors sold without ROPS in Central Iowa by over 40%. The results suggest that such a policy could have a significant impact in reducing the number of farm fatalities and thus should be investigated further.
Comments
This article is from Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health, 5, no. 1 (1999): 11–20.