A risk assessment model to measure the difference in worker injury risk between corn and biofuel switchgrass production systems

Thumbnail Image
Date
2016-01-01
Authors
Ryan, Saxon
Major Professor
Advisor
Gretchen A. Mosher
Charles V. Schwab
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Altmetrics
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Organizational Unit
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

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

Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Abstract

Keeping workers safe presents a continuing challenge in the agricultural industry. Risk assessment methodologies have been used widely to better understand systems and enhance decision making with a goal of reducing injuries and fatalities. This research applies probabilistic risk assessment to human safety in two agricultural production systems, taking into account uncertainties such as equipment variation, working schedules, and weather conditions. A comparative model was developed because it can be scaled up or down based on available data and allow inputs from categories defined broadly or specifically as necessary. In this model, risk is calculated by multiplying the probability of exposure to a hazard and the probability of injury, given that an exposure to the hazard has occurred. The probability of injury and exposure values are derived from the USDA Census and from the Survey and Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 12 states in the Midwest for each year from 1996 to 2011. The exposure and injury data were used to build probability distributions that were randomly sampled using a Monte Carlo simulation. The output of the simulation demonstrates that corn has a higher risk of worker injury than biofuel switchgrass over a ten year period in the Midwest. A Monte Carlo simulation and a sensitivity analysis were run to determine the greatest contributing factors to worker injury risk within each production system. Harvest operations in both corn and biofuel switchgrass production systems were determined to be the greatest contributing factor to worker injury risk.

Comments
Description
Keywords
Citation
Source
Copyright
Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2016