Assessment of the available databases on tractor fatal injuries to improve the accidents dynamic evaluation

An assessment on the databases of injuries occurred in agriculture was carried out in order to verify the number and severity of accidents related to the use of the tractor. The study analysed the quality of the information available on the accidents to understand if the data were helpful to the accident dynamic characterization, mainly in terms of performance of the Roll Over Protective Structures (ROPS), so as to point out possible improvements for the prevention of the fatal injuries associated with the use of the tractors. A survey on the data available at the Statistics Service of Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) and the Local Health Units (AUSLs) was carried out. The accidents were analysed in detail for the Provinces of Bologna and Reggio Emilia identifying the agent (tractor), the mode (rollover) and the geographical location of the event (municipality and altimetric area). The analysis of the accident data confirm that the fatal agricultural accidents involve mainly the tractor. However the data available did not point out the dynamic of the accidents. A standard model for collecting the data is required to characterise the causes and the dynamic of the accidents. The standardisation in the data collection will give the required information for evaluating if updated solutions are required to improve the operator safety in the use of the tractor.