JA:2021-32. ATV/Quad Safety Findings from Evaluation of the Gear up for Ag™ Program (2018-19)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: Recent studies have revealed a 300% increase in work-related all-terrain vehicle (ATV) deaths since the 1980s, with the agricultural sector experiencing 65% of all occupational fatalities. On farms, the majority of those injured and killed while riding ATVs are male, and the age group at highest risk are young adults (ages 16–40). Our Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety Program™ is designed specifically for this age group. The program has been successfully delivered to high school and college agriculture students in the United States, Canada, and abroad. In just over a year, the program has reached more than 2200 individuals using non-traditional methods of education such as interactive demonstrations, Kahoot!© surveys, and motion graphics. Methods: The Gear up For Ag™ program incorporates standardized pre-surveys used to identify potential on-farm hazards, past experiences, and to examine health and safety behaviors. The pre-survey is a guide for cultural and geographic customization of curriculum. In 2018–2019, 70% of students in five countries (n = 1574) completed the survey. Results/Findings: In the first year of the program, pre-survey data have drawn attention to a need for increased attention to ATV/Quad safety among this population. Pre-survey results have demonstrated that almost all respondents regularly use ATVs/Quads. Over half of respondents (56%) have rolled an ATV or Quad, yet only 18% report that they regularly wear helmets. In addition, 78% report allowing extra riders on the vehicle. Practical Application: In the past, traditional ATV/Quad safety education has focused primarily on the use of helmets, personal protective equipment, and not allowing extra riders. However, we have observed that young adults in our program continue to follow administrative safety controls at very low rates. Due to the increasing burden of injuries and economic costs from ATV-related traumas, our unique program sees tremendous value of enhanced focus on promoting awareness of safety engineering designs to lessen the severity of such events. Therefore, future plans involve the creation of an ATV Safety Motion Graphic and in-depth examination of young adults’ awareness, beliefs, and cultural acceptability of several ATV safety design features.