Safe Operation of Equipment in

Agricultural Settings

AgrAbility NTW 2014

John Hancock, KY AgrAbilityCarol Weber, ATP, KY OVRMaryfrances Gross, CDRS

Session Goal• Examine the need for an effective evaluation

tool/protocol for determining adaptive equipment necessary to allow an individual with a disability to operate equipment on the farm safely and effectively.

• Group discussion about the current best practices and who should be involved on the team making the determination of equipment to be used.

Kentucky AgrAbility

Session learning objectives

• Identify the need for the development of standards and protocols for determining when a farmer is able to independently and safely operate farm equipment.

• Identify the special considerations for operating farm equipment vs. operating a motor vehicle on the road and the need for additional evaluation.

• Discuss methods that have been used to determine a farmer’s ability to safely operate equipment.

Kentucky AgrAbility

Biggest Barrier:

• Getting on or off the Equipment (creates a natural barrier to operation)

• As technology to modify agricultural equipment becomes more available, farmers with disabilities are gaining access to farm equipment that has been inaccessible to date.

Internet Available Resources

Kentucky AgrAbility

Question:

• How do we know farmers with disabilities are safe when operating equipment (of many types)?

– OK with driver evaluation for personal vehicle

– Do not allow individuals with head injuries to operate equipment

Current “Standard” Practice:

Problems with this Approach:

• Undiagnosed Head Injury• Driver’s Evaluation revealed no

issues

Problems with this Approach:

• Rand: Head Injury– no driver adaptations needed

Problems with this Approach:

• Jimmy: CP– not going to drive on the road– Going to farm (no matter what)

Problems with this Approach

Kentucky AgrAbility

Farm vs. Road:Terrain

Farm Road

Open, may be gravel or dirt roads

Marked Lanes

Fewer “obstacles” High number of other vehicles, pedestrians, visual stimuli, traffic signs, etc.

Familiar May be unfamiliar

Wide variety – hilly, steep, flat, sinkholes

Smooth terrain, gradual turns

Best practices, suggestions, the way I have always done it

Rules of the road - expectations

Kentucky AgrAbility

Farm vs. Road:Vehicle

Farm Road

More wheels, more horsepower, more weight.

Typical passenger vehicle

Varied types of controls: skid steer, rear steer combine, etc.

Steering wheel, gas and brake pedals

Generally SLOW Even slower speeds tend to be faster than farm speeds

Also operate another piece of equipment or perform an additional task

One task: drive from one place to another

Operating in conjunction with another operator

Typically a solo task

Several pieces of equipment Own one car

Possible exposure to heat/cold/dust

Typically climate controlled

Kentucky AgrAbility

Farm vs. Road

• Use many different vehicles on a farm

Another Consideration

• Seating and Positioning– Number of hours spent on a tractor

per day vs. in a car per day

– Positioning on the tractor or other equipment is as important as wheelchair positioning or vehicle seating

Another Consideration

• Seating and Positioning– While air ride seats may help with the

jolts of running across a field, they may not have good pressure relief.

– It’s not all about the cushion (2x4)

How do we address these issues?

• AgrAbility: expertise in farm equipment modifications

• CDRS/OT: expertise in adaptive equipment operation & analysis of driving tasks

• Vocational Rehabilitation: funding, assistive technology expertise

Kentucky AgrAbility

• Vehicle Modification Specialist: expert in providing custom adaptations for driving

Driver’s Evaluation• Initial Screening:

– Medical Clearance• Medications• Seizures/Blackouts• Physician clearance for driving

– Driver license status• Expiration• Restrictions• Driving history• Suspensions/revocations

Kentucky AgrAbility

Driver’s Evaluation• Clinical Evaluation:

– Physical Function – Range of motion, strength, coordination, endurance and sensation.

– Vision – Visual acuity, depth perception, contrast sensitivity, peripheral and color recognition.

– Cognition – Attention, judgment, memory, spatial, perception, problem solving.

– Reaction Time – Ability to respond timely and accurately with regards to driving tasks.

– Self Control – Ability to modulate oneself in response to demands in the environment.

• Are the same skills needed for farm equipment operation?

Kentucky AgrAbility

Driver’s Evaluation• Clinical Driver Assessments

– Vision• Useful field of vision

Kentucky AgrAbility

Driver’s Evaluation• Clinical Driver Assessments

– Cognitive• Trail Making Test

Kentucky AgrAbility

Driver’s Evaluation• Clinical Driver Assessments

– Cognitive

Kentucky AgrAbility

Driver’s Evaluation• Clinical Driver Assessments

– Cognitive

Kentucky AgrAbility

Driver’s Evaluation

• Clinical Driver Assessments– Cognitive (not standardized)

Kentucky AgrAbility

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3

2

4

5

613

8

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1112

14

7

Driver’s Evaluation

• Behind the Wheel Assessments

– Performance categories• Observation• Communication• Speed adjustment• Vehicle positioning• Time and space judgment• Vehicle response

Kentucky AgrAbility

Causes of Accidents• Causes of car accidents:

– Environmental factors include slick roadways, reduced visibility due to fog or darkness, obstructions to a driver's view, and roadway design problems.

– Vehicular factors include vehicle malfunctions such as brake failure, inadequate tire tread or tire underinflation, and inoperable lights and signals.

– Driver Factors:• Recognition errors were probable causes in

56% of the crashes, • decision errors in 52% of the crashes, and • performance errors in 11% of the crashes.

• Are these accident causes similar on a farm?

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Other factors

Kentucky AgrAbility

KY AgrAbility

• Ride ‘n Drive – Addresses ability to operate the equipment on a

course : similar to driving in a parking lot.

KY AgrAbility

• When a driver’s evaluation is done, a CDRS uses an adapted vehicle set up specifically for the consumer.

• KY AgrAbility– Adapted UTV– Adapted Tractor – seated and

standing lift available, with hand controls

Kentucky AgrAbility

KY AgrAbility• Ride ‘n Drive

KY AgrAbility• Ride ‘n Drive

KY AgrAbility

• Ride ‘n Drive: Tractor setup– Onboard video “Go Pro”

• better observation – no “buddy” seat

• On the Farm Evaluation– Can’t get enough information on a closed

course– Evaluate consumer in the environment– Evaluate consumer performing tasks

• Other shortfalls:– Can’t get consumer operating his own

tractor

Who should be involved in making a decision about

safe operation?• Farm Specialist (AgrAbility)

– Understands operation of equipment – how it is used, considerations

– Farming adapations• Farm Safety Specialist• Rehab Techs• Vocational Rehabilitation• CDRS

– Understands safe driving task– Cognitive aspects of driving– Driving adaptations

• OT/PT: Positioning• Consumer/Family

Suggestions?

• Next steps to develop guidelines