**Instructor's Guide for "Photos of Fatal and Non-fatal Tractor
Overturns"** [^1]

# Overview

During a tractor overturn, a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and
seat belt are 98% effective in preventing injury to the operator. When a
tractor without ROPS overturns, the operator frequently is killed.
Farmers who survive tractor overturns usually are injured, some
severely, and sometimes are permanently disabled. A ROPS and a fastened
seat belt can prevent nearly all of these injuries and deaths.

These materials consist of a set of enlarged photographs of overturned
tractors. Each photograph depicts a recent Kentucky overturn event. Four
of the tractors had no ROPS and the operators were killed. Three of the
tractors were equipped with ROPS and the operators survived the
overturn. Two documents are included.

The first document is titled, "What Happened?" It lists the questions to
be discussed as the participants examine the photos.

The second document is titled, "What Really Happened?" It describes the
facts of the each overturn.

These two documents are presented in two layouts. The first layout is in
12-point font on standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper. This layout is useful
when the materials are used in classroom or small group settings. The
second layout is the same text printed in large type and landscaped
format. This arrangement is useful when the photos and the supporting
materials are to be used for poster displays.

# Purpose and Objectives

These photographs and captions can be used as part of a display or as
materials to be examined and discussed at farm community meetings. In
either case, include a few other materials from other sections of the
notebook. Use items that explain the frequency of tractor overturn
injuries and fatalities, the cost effectiveness of ROPS, and the
availability of ROPS from local sources.

After they interact with these photographs and the accompanying
materials, farm community members should:

1\. Visualize and describe the types and extent of injuries to operators
when tractors without ROPS overturn

2\. Visualize and describe how and why a ROPS and a fastened seat belt
protect an operator from injury during an overturn

3\. Develop favorable attitudes and beliefs about the value of ROPS for
preventing injuries during tractor overturns

4\. Evaluate and appreciate the effectiveness of ROPS and seat belts for

-   saving money by preventing injury and death during overturns

-   providing peace of mind to tractor operators and their family
    members

-   helping to assure the continued operation of family farms and a way
    of life

5\. Make greater efforts to acquire ROPS for farm tractors

6\. Use seat belts when operating ROPS-equipped tractors

# Intended Audiences

This activity is designed for principal operators of farms and other
family members who make decisions about farm finances, equipment, and
operation. The activity is also appropriate for future farm operators.
Individuals and agencies that provide advice and services to farmers can
also use these messages and materials as part of their service
activities.

# Suggestions for Using These Materials

The enlarged photographs and their accompanying printed materials can be
used as a poster and/or tabletop display, or as a group activity at
community meetings.

## Display

The photos and the large-type printed materials can be displayed at farm
community business, school, or community events like farm safety days,
producer group meetings, Farm Bureau meetings, and similar gatherings.

The photographs and captions will capture the attention of many people.
After people take note of the display, it is important to use other
supporting materials to communicate additional information concerning:

-   The frequency of tractor overturns

-   The effectiveness of ROPS

-   Where and how to get ROPS

-   The cost of ROPS

-   The value of ROPS as insurance against huge personal and financial
    loss when a tractor driver is severely injured or killed in an
    overturn

Therefore, these photographs should be accompanied by some of the
following materials that are listed below and found in the CPHF
notebook, especially in the "What's the Problem?" section. (See the
notebook, Table of Contents.) Some of these materials can be duplicated
and displayed alongside the photographs. Others can be duplicated as
handouts and placed on a table near the display.

-   [How to Get a ROPS and Seat Belt on Your Tractor]{.underline} - This
    is a brochure specific to each county. It tells a farmer whom to
    contact and what to do to have a ROPS installed on a tractor.

-   [A Tough Quiz]{.underline} - This two-page chart depicts the number
    of Kentucky farmers who died in tractor overturns during the 1994-98
    period. (Use as part of the display or as a handout.)

-   [Are ROPS Cost Effective]{.underline}? - This graph shows the small
    cost of a ROPS compared to the large cost of a typical severe
    tractor overturn injury. (Use as part of the display or as a
    handout.)

-   [Kentucky Farmers at Risk]{.underline} - These two graphs show that
    the occupational fatality rate to Kentucky farmers is about three
    times the national average. (Use as part of the display.)

-   [Kentucky Agricultural Machinery Fatalities 1982-92]{.underline} -
    This graph shows that 56% of all farm machinery fatalities during
    these years were tractor overturns and that another 27% were related
    to tractors (being run over, caught in PTOs, etc.). (Use as part of
    the display.)

-   [Percent of Kentucky Farmers Protected by ROPS and Seat
    Belts]{.underline} - This graph shows that 70% of farmers have
    [no]{.underline} tractors equipped with ROPS, and that only 6% of
    farm tractor operators are protected with ROPS and a fastened seat
    belt. (Use as part of the display.)

Not all of these materials should be presented at one time because the
display may become too cluttered. Rather, different combinations of
these materials and a few photographs and captions can be used for
additional displays in the future. If the display is to be exhibited
over a period of a few days or weeks, not all of the photos need to be
shown at the same time. Sometimes it can be more effective to add a
photo or two each week.

## Group Activity for Community Meetings

The photographs and captions can be used as "triggers" to stimulate
thought and discussion at local community meetings. When used this way,
the photographs should also be followed up with some other materials and
activities. This helps the participants to learn more about tractor
overturns, the value of ROPS for preventing costly injuries during
overturns, and how to go about getting ROPS for their tractors.

To conduct this activity:

-   Divide the participants into small groups of 3 to 5 persons.

-   Give each small group one photograph but [not]{.underline} the
    captions or stories that go with the photos. (Remove the captions
    from the plastic pouch before handing out the photos.)

-   Ask each group to answer the following questions.

> 1\. Using your photograph, explain what you think probably happened to
> this farmer.
>
> 2\. Describe the effect of this event on the farmer, his or her
> family, and the community.
>
> 3\. In what ways could this event and its consequences have been
> avoided?

After they have examined their photos and discussed the three questions,
ask each small group to show their photograph and present their
conclusions to the whole group.

Give each small group of participants a copy of the "What Really
Happened?" document (the captions you removed from each picture's
plastic envelope). Ask them to find the stories that go with the
photo(s) they examined. Then ask each group to make any additional
comments about the tractor overturn event depicted in the photo(s) that
they examined. During the group discussion, use the two questions on the
next page to help the participants apply what they have learned to their
own lives and circumstances.

You may wish to conclude the activity by asking the participants to
complete and discuss the evaluation questionnaire found on page 9. The
first few questionnaire items can help determine who was involved in the
activity. The items in the last section can help assess in what ways the
activity influenced their attitudes and knowledge of the participants as
well as their contemplation and intentions about getting ROPS for their
tractors.

#### Questions

1\. Who can prevent members of your family (and other members of this
community) from being injured in tractor overturns? How can they do so?

2.  What barriers prevent farmers from getting ROPS? In what ways can
    these barriers be overcome?

## Suggested Follow-up Activities

Depending upon the time available and the interests of the audience, use
one or more of the following activities found in the notebook (see the
Table of Contents). Don't try to include too many activities. It is
better to do one or two activities well than to rush and frustrate the
participants.

-   "[What's the Problem?" overhead transparency charts]{.underline} -
    Select, show, and discuss only a few of the charts and graphs from
    the whole set. Participants often ask questions or make comments
    that can be addressed by a particular graph or chart. For this
    reason, it is a good idea to have the entire set handy as overhead
    projector transparencies.

-   [My Experiences with Tractor Overturns]{.underline} - This 15-minute
    activity surveys the people in the group and tallies how many of
    them know persons who have overturned tractors. It also asks what
    happened to these people. The activity demonstrates that many
    tractor overturn injuries and fatalities occur in local farming
    communities.

-   [Mr. Good Egg Farmer]{.underline} activity - This 10- to 15-minute
    activity is a physical model that demonstrates the effectiveness of
    ROPS and seat belts. Some advance preparation is required (mainly
    gathering the materials needed).

-   [How to Get a ROPS and Seat Belt on Your Tractor]{.underline} - This
    brochure tells farmers what they need to know and do to get a ROPS
    on their tractor. It also explains why it is important to equip
    tractors with ROPS. The material in the flyer can be presented
    briefly and discussed to help members of the audience understand how
    to go about getting a ROPS. The information in the brochure about
    local tractor dealers' names, addresses, and telephone numbers must
    be gathered and included for each local community.

# Photographs of Tractor Overturns

Photographs of seven tractor overturns are found in the next section.
Sometimes there is more than one photo for an event. The photos are in
plastic pouches. A set of instructions for the participants and the
three "What Happened?" questions are included in the plastic pouch
behind the photo but facing out. All that is needed to start the
activity is to give each small group one photo and ask them to read the
instructions and answer the questions found on the back of the photo.

# What Happened

These are the three questions that the participants answer and discuss
as they look at the photos of overturned tractors. The questions and
their titles are printed on a single page.

**What Happened?**

[Instructions]{.underline}

Look at the photograph on the other side of this plastic envelope. Then
answer the following questions. Make sure everyone in your group has a
chance to look at the photo and has an opportunity to express his or her
ideas.

1\. What do you think happened here?

2\. What do you think happened to the tractor operator? Why?

3\. What do you think the consequences of this event may have been for
the tractor operator and the members of his or her family? Explain.

When you finish, your group will be asked to make a one or two minute
oral report about your observations and ideas.

# What Really Happened?

These are the factual accounts of each tractor overturn event.[^2] They
should [not]{.underline} be distributed or discussed until the
participants have examined and discussed the photos.

### Photo 1 - Orange tractor, completely upside down

This experienced farmer was bushhogging for a neighbor. While traveling
up the road where the truck is parked, he made a U-turn. The left
tractor wheels dropped off the edge of the gravel road. The tractor
flipped upside down. A neighbor witnessed the overturn. The local rescue
squad raised the tractor, removed the farmer's body, and laid it out
beside the tractor. The white substance beside and slightly ahead of the
tractor is an absorbent used to soak up the blood where the body lay
until the coroner arrived. If his tractor had a ROPS, and if he had worn
the seat belt, the farmer almost certainly would not have been injured
and would have walked away from the overturn.

### Photo 2 - Red tractor overturned in a stream

This experienced farmer was bushhogging a pasture along a stream bank
when a portion of the bank collapsed. The tractor and the bushhog
overturned into the creek. When he didn't come home, a family member
went looking for him and found him after dark. The farmer's body was
underwater in the creek, crushed beneath the overturned tractor. He
drowned with his face and body pressed into the mud at the bottom of the
creek. A ROPS and seat belt could have saved him. The ROPS would have
held the tractor off the creek bottom and allowed him to unbuckle the
seat belt and escape.

### Photo 3 - Tractor with a white radiator overturned on a chain-link fence

This experienced farmer was using a box scraper on the back of his
tractor to grade crushed stone on a gravel road. A heavy rain had washed
the stone downhill and to one side. As the farmer moved the stone with
the scraper, the left wheels of the tractor dropped off the side of the
road. The tractor overturned crushing the farmer to death.

### Photo 4 - Overturned red tractor with a ROPS

This experienced farmer was mowing the banks on a farm road that runs
along the side of a field. The farmer says he remembers being careful
and moving along slowly. Then the tractor's left wheels dropped off the
edge of the road. The overturn happened in an instant. The next thing he
remembers is crawling out from under the overturned tractor. He was not
hurt. The ROPS prevented him from being crushed. The second photograph
(4A) shows the tractor after it had been uprighted with only slight
damage to the hood.

### Photo 5 - Red tractor with a ROPS overturned into a creek bed

A 13-year-old boy was mowing along a creek bank when his tractor went
over the edge and instantly overturned. The tractor was equipped with a
Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) that prevented the boy's body from
being crushed by the tractor. He was thrown from the seat and his legs
were pinned under the tractor. He required surgery to remove a blood
clot from one leg, but was not seriously injured. If he had worn the
seat belt, the boy would have stayed in his seat and not been injured.
The second photo (5A) is a close up of the boy pinned under the tractor.
The sheriff's department took the photos during the rescue. If there had
been water in the creek the boy would have drowned. If his father had
not seen the overturn, and the boy had remained trapped under the
tractor for a few hours, he could have lost one or both legs.

### Photo 6 - Overturned green tractor with a ROPS

An experienced farmer was bushhogging in a field when the right rear
wheel of his tractor dropped into a worn cow path. The bushhog caught on
a mound of dirt and the tractor flipped over backwards. The lid on the
toolbox fell open and the wrenches tumbled out bruising and cutting the
farmer. He walked away with no other injuries. Without the ROPS, he
would have been crushed between the tractor and the bushhog. The farmer
had debated for two years whether or not to spend the \$1,200 to
retrofit his old tricycle tractor with a ROPS and sunshade. He decided
to do so and less than a year later had his first overturn. The second
photo (6A) is a close-up shot of the tractor operator's compartment.

### Photo 7 - Completely upside down red tractor with front-end loader

This 66-year-old lifelong farmer was bushhogging a pasture on nearly
flat land when the right rear tire fell into a small sinkhole causing
the tractor to overturn. The tractor had a white, homemade canopy for
sun protection that provided no protection during the overturn. The
overturn happened around 1 PM. Late that evening, when the farmer didn't
come home, his wife called the sheriff's department. The rescue squad
found him the next morning at about 4:30 AM. He was still in the tractor
seat, crushed between the steering wheel and the canopy. He was
pronounced dead at the scene. The weight of the raised front-end loader
contributed to the overturn. The farmer probably died instantly. Even if
he had received less serious injuries he could have died from shock and
exposure during the 15.5 hours he was trapped under the tractor. In
either case a ROPS and fastened seat belt could have saved him.

# Participant Evaluation Questionnaire

Use the questionnaire on the next page to have the participants evaluate
the "Photos of Fatal and Non-Fatal Tractor Overturns" activity. The
evaluation information can be discussed and used to judge the
effectiveness of the activity.

# Large-type Landscape Materials for Poster Display

The last section of this module consists of the "What Happened?"
questions and the "What Really Happened?" factual summaries printed in
landscape layout and large type suitable for use on tabletop or poster
displays. Each item is printed on a separate page. Individual pages can
be used with the photos as part of a poster display.

## **Photos of Fatal and Non-fatal Tractor Overturns Evaluation Questionnaire**

(Please complete this questionnaire [after]{.underline} the activity and
discussion.)

  ------ ------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ ------ ----- ------------- ------------------------ ---------- --------------------- ---------------------- --------------
  1\.                       Name of exercise:                                2\.                 What year were you born?                                  19 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_    
                            *[Photos of                                                                                                                                           
                            Fatals]{.underline}*                                                                                                                                  

  3\.                       Your sex? (check one)                            4\.                 Do you work on a farm?                                    \_\_\_\_ Yes \_\_\_\_  
                            \_\_\_\_ M \_\_\_\_ F                                                                                                          No                     

  5\.                       Years experience in                              6\.                 Acres you farm at                                                                
                            farming?                                                             present?                                                                         
                            \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_                                                   \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_                                                           

  7\.                       Do you drive a                                   8\.                 If "Yes," how many days                                                          
                            tractor? \_\_\_\_ Yes                                                a month?                                                                         
                            \_\_\_\_ No                                                          \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_                                                             

  9\.                       How many tractors are                     10\.                       How many of these                                         \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_   
                            used on the farm where                                               tractors have ROPS?                                                              
                            you live or work?                                                                                                                                     
                            \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_                                                                                                                                    

  11\.                      Have you ever                                                                                 12\. Were                                               
                            overturned a tractor?                                                                         you                                                     
                            \_\_\_\_ Yes \_\_\_\_                                                                         injured?                                                
                            No                                                                                            \_\_\_\_                                                
                                                                                                                          Yes                                                     
                                                                                                                          \_\_\_\_                                                
                                                                                                                          No                                                      

  13\.                      Do you personally know                                                                                                                                
                            anyone who has                                                                                                                                        
                            overturned a tractor?                                                                                                                                 
                            \_\_\_\_Yes \_\_\_\_No                                                                                                                                

  14\.                      If "Yes", how serious                                  \_\_\_\_Not                                                             \_\_\_\_Minor injury   
                            was the injury? (check                                 injured                                                                                        
                            one)                                                                                                                                                  

         \_\_\_\_Required                          \_\_\_\_Required                                                                  \_\_\_\_Permanently                          \_\_\_\_Died
         doctors visit                             hospital stay                                                                     disabled                                     
  ------ ------------------ ---------------------- ------------------ ------ ----- ------------- ------------------------ ---------- --------------------- ---------------------- --------------

Think about the Photos of Fatals activity you just finished. Circle the
number that tells how much you agree or disagree with the following
statements.

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 72%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="4"><h1 id="statements">Statements</h1></td>
<td colspan="10">Strongly Disagree</td>
<td colspan="4">Strongly Agree</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>15.</td>
<td colspan="4">I had a chance to discuss and share my ideas during this
activity.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="4">4</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">16.</td>
<td colspan="4">Putting a ROPS on a tractor can bring peace of mind to a
farm family.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="4">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>17.</td>
<td colspan="6">Tractor overturns do not happen on flat ground.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>18.</td>
<td colspan="6">Because of this activity, I will <u>think about</u>
getting ROPS on my tractors.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>19.</td>
<td colspan="6">This activity has convinced me to get ROPS for my
tractors.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>20.</td>
<td colspan="6">This activity convinced me to wear a seat belt on ROPS
–equipped tractors.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>21.</td>
<td colspan="6">This activity has helped me to visualize what might
happen to my family if I were killed or seriously injured in a tractor
overturn.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>22.</td>
<td colspan="6">A ROPS protects the life and health of the operator
during an overturn.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>23.</td>
<td colspan="6">Tractor overturns are very unlikely to occur in my
county.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>24.</td>
<td colspan="6">ROPS and seat belts can prevent tractor overturns.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>25.</td>
<td colspan="6">Drivers without seat belt on ROPS-equipped tractors risk
being trapped under the tractor during an overturn.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="3">26.</td>
<td colspan="4">A ROPS reduces the damage to the tractor in the event of
an overturn.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="3">27.</td>
<td colspan="4">ROPS and seat belts protect the financial well being of
a farm family.</td>
<td colspan="3">1</td>
<td colspan="3">2</td>
<td colspan="4">3</td>
<td colspan="3">4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

If you have other comments, please write them on the bottom of this
page. Thanks for your help!

[^1]: Developed by Henry Cole, Tim Struttmann, Vickie Brandt, Larry
    Piercy and Joan Muehlbauer, University of Kentucky, October 1997.
    Revised February 1998, September 1999 and January 2000. The work was
    supported by CDC/NIOSH Cooperative Agreements U06/CCU412900-01, -02,
    -03 to the University of Kentucky, Southeast Center for Agricultural
    Health and Injury Prevention. The views expressed in this document
    are those of the authors and not necessarily those of CDC/NIOSH or
    the US Government.

[^2]: To learn more about the deaths described in these photos and
    narratives, and how ROPS and seat belts could have saved these
    farmers' lives, visit the University of Kentucky, Kentucky Injury
    Prevention and Research Center web page at
    **http://www.kiprc.uky.edu/oipp/face.htm**