Tractor–related injury (all ages)

July 2008

There were 126 emergency department (ED) presentations and 53 hospital admissions related to tractor injury among person 0-80+ years, recorded in the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) and the Victorian Admitted Episodes (VAED) over the 3-year period 2004-2006. Hospital admissions may include cases related to other agricultural machinery as there is no specific code for tractors in the VAED. Frequency: Table 1 illustrates the annual frequency of ED presentations and hospital admissions by year. The frequency of tractor-related injury was relatively stable over the 3-year period.

Table 1: Tractor–related injury ED presentations and hospital admissions by year

Source: VAED & VEMD Jan ‘04 - Dec ‘06

Age: As can be seen in Figure 1, 45% of hospital admissions occurred among persons aged 55 years and older, with a high proportion of injury cases observed in age group 55-59 years (13%). Among ED presentations, the highest injury frequency occurred in the younger age group 20-24 years (15%).

Source: VAED & VEMD Jan ‘04 – Dec ‘06
Figure 1: Tractor-related injury by age groups and level of severity

Gender: Males were over-represented in both ED presentations (84%) and hospital admissions (87%).

Cause: Among ED presentations, machinery (23%) was the leading cause of injury, followed by collision with an object (20%), and falls up to one metre (19%). Thirty-eight percent of the tractors-related injury hospitalisations were drivers and 8% were passengers. A further 38% were injured while being transported by the tractor (not identified as driver or passenger) and 8% were injured while boarding or alighting the tractor. In 9% of cases, the cause of injury was not specified.

Nature of injury: The most common injuries sustained among ED presentations were open wound, excluding eyes (21%), sprain or strain (21%) and fracture (14%). Among hospital admissions, injuries were most commonly fracture (47%), open wound (11%) and superficial injury such as bruises and abrasions (9%).

Body region: For both ED presentations and hospitalisations, the most frequently reported body region injured was the lower extremity, (34% of both admissions and ED presentations) (Figure 2 & Figure 3).

Source: VEMD, Jan ‘04 – Dec ‘06 Figure 2: Tractor-related injury ED presentations by body region injured (n=126)

Source: VAED, Jan ‘04 – Dec ‘06 Figure 3: Tractor-related injury hospital admissions by body region injured (n=53)

Discharge status: Of the 53 hospitalisations, 83% were discharge home after treatment and a further 15% were transferred to an acute hospital or extended care.

Prevention: Ensure that all tractor operators are trained and educated in the safe operation of the tractors. When operating a tractor, all tractor operators should wear personal protective equipment including boots, ear plugs, muffs, hat and 15+ sunscreen. Tractors designs need to be revaluated to ensure that current designs have adequate safety measures.

Further information:
For further information regarding tractor injury, see Hazard editions 24, 33, and 47, http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/VISU/hazard/hazard.html
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety (ACAHS):
www.rirdc.gov.au/
The Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety (ACAHS):
http://www.aghealth.org.au/