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Safe Operation of Equipment in Agricultural Settings

Safe Operation of Equipment in Agricultural Settings. AgrAbility NTW 2014 John Hancock, KY AgrAbility Carol Weber, ATP, KY OVR Maryfrances Gross, CDRS. Session Goal.

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Safe Operation of Equipment in Agricultural Settings

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  1. Safe Operation of Equipment in Agricultural Settings AgrAbility NTW 2014 John Hancock, KY AgrAbility Carol Weber, ATP, KY OVR Maryfrances Gross, CDRS

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. Internet Available Resources Kentucky AgrAbility

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

  7. Current “Standard” Practice: • OK with driver evaluation for personal vehicle • Do not allow individuals with head injuries to operate equipment

  8. Problems with this Approach: • Undiagnosed Head Injury • Driver’s Evaluation revealed no issues

  9. Problems with this Approach: • Rand: Head Injury • no driver adaptations needed

  10. Problems with this Approach: • Jimmy: CP • not going to drive on the road • Going to farm (no matter what)

  11. Problems with this Approach Kentucky AgrAbility

  12. Farm vs. Road:Terrain Kentucky AgrAbility

  13. Farm vs. Road:Vehicle Kentucky AgrAbility

  14. Farm vs. Road • Use many different vehicles on a farm

  15. 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

  16. 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)

  17. 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 • Vehicle Modification Specialist: expert in providing custom adaptations for driving Kentucky AgrAbility

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Driver’s Evaluation • Clinical Driver Assessments • Vision • Useful field of vision Kentucky AgrAbility

  21. Driver’s Evaluation • Clinical Driver Assessments • Cognitive • Trail Making Test Kentucky AgrAbility

  22. Driver’s Evaluation • Clinical Driver Assessments • Cognitive Kentucky AgrAbility

  23. Driver’s Evaluation • Clinical Driver Assessments • Cognitive Kentucky AgrAbility

  24. Driver’s Evaluation • Clinical Driver Assessments • Cognitive (not standardized) 9 1 14 5 8 2 11 12 13 6 7 3 4 10 Kentucky AgrAbility

  25. Driver’s Evaluation • Behind the Wheel Assessments • Performance categories • Observation • Communication • Speed adjustment • Vehicle positioning • Time and space judgment • Vehicle response Kentucky AgrAbility

  26. 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? Kentucky AgrAbility

  27. Other factors Kentucky AgrAbility

  28. KY AgrAbility • Ride ‘n Drive • Addresses ability to operate the equipment on a course : similar to driving in a parking lot.

  29. 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

  30. KY AgrAbility • Ride ‘n Drive

  31. KY AgrAbility • Ride ‘n Drive

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. Suggestions? • Next steps to develop guidelines

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