Agricultural Work-Related Fatalities to Non-Working Youth: Implications for Intervention Development

J Agric Saf Health. 2020 Jan 20;26(1):31-43. doi: 10.13031/jash.13691.

Abstract

This article presents data for agricultural work-related fatal injuries to non-working youth (> 18 years old) in Pennsylvania. Cases were identified from the Pennsylvania Farm Fatality (PA-FF) database for the period 2000-2018. The circumstances of the death in each incident were reviewed from news clippings, death certificates, and other reports available to determine the victim's status as a bystander, passenger, or other non-working child. The study identified 69 agricultural work-related fatalities to non-working youth in Pennsylvania. Incidents were coded as non-working accomplice (26), non-working accomplice extra rider (14), non-working attendant (25), and ambiguous (4). Fatalities to children > 5 years old accounted for 74% of the non-working youth fatalities, and most (75%) of the victims were male. Plain Sect community members (Anabaptists) comprised 78% of the cases. Children contribute significantly to the overall burden of agricultural work-related fatal injuries in Pennsylvania, especially as bystanders. From the review of the data, we conclude that fatal injuries to non-working children on farms are preventable. The process of identifying different injury patterns associated with non-work-related child activity has increased our understanding of how safety professionals and community members may help prevent these fatalities. Many researchers have noted a variety of intervention efforts that show potential for providing safer farm and home environments but will need long-term commitments in various capacities.

Keywords: Agriculture; Bystander; Child; Fatality; Passenger; Safety; Workplace.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / mortality*
  • Adolescent
  • Agriculture*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Databases, Factual
  • Farms
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pennsylvania