Tractor risk perception

Farm machinery is a major source of injury and fatality including tractor rollovers, workers becoming caught in machinery, or being crushed. In the UK between 2003 and 2013, 35% of all fatalities were reported as caused by being struck by a moving or overturned vehicle, usually an ATV, jeep, or tractor.

This online vignette study used a qualitative approach to investigate farmer perception of four types of tractor-based risk related to self, equipment, lack of safety features, and environment.

The results indicated that farmers appeared risks in broader terms than simply the risk of injury to themselves; they also evaluated risk in terms of potential costs (e.g., repair bill) and losses (e.g., delay). Financial risk was considered with more caution than personal risk in many cases.

You can read more about the research below.