Safety Analysis of Assistive Technology Daniel A. Hite Iowa State University National AgrAbility Conference November 12, 2003

Farming with a Disability Farming- Most dangerous occupation Farming- Most dangerous occupation 130,000 agricultural workers experienced disabling injuries in ,000 agricultural workers experienced disabling injuries in 2000 Farmers with disabilities have additional risks Farmers with disabilities have additional risks

Farming with a Disability Farmers may have no knowledge of the rehabilitation technology that is available Farmers may have no knowledge of the rehabilitation technology that is available Used to maximize the abilities of the worker and reduce the risk of secondary injuries Used to maximize the abilities of the worker and reduce the risk of secondary injuries Farmers may be aware of assistive technology, but no funds Farmers may be aware of assistive technology, but no funds

Iowa AgrAbility ISU Extension & Iowa Easter Seals ISU Extension & Iowa Easter Seals Mobility Mobility Returning to work Returning to work Gain greater independence for everyday living Gain greater independence for everyday living Provide technology and support services that are inexpensive Provide technology and support services that are inexpensive Goals Goals Keep workers productive Keep workers productive Reduce chances of secondary injuries Reduce chances of secondary injuries

Iowa AgrAbility Modifications depend on 8 factors to reduce the risk of additional injuries or illnesses Modifications depend on 8 factors to reduce the risk of additional injuries or illnesses Severity of disability Severity of disability Medical history & current prognosis Medical history & current prognosis Nature of Ag production tasks to be performed Nature of Ag production tasks to be performed Skills & abilities of farmer with a disability Skills & abilities of farmer with a disability Availability of caregivers or co-workers Availability of caregivers or co-workers Availability of needed worksite modifications and the funding to pay for them Availability of needed worksite modifications and the funding to pay for them Age of farmer Age of farmer Skills of individual making the modifications Skills of individual making the modifications

Purpose of Study Develop safety checklists for common assistive technologies Develop safety checklists for common assistive technologies AgrAbility staff can use these checklists as a guide when discussing these technologies with their clients AgrAbility staff can use these checklists as a guide when discussing these technologies with their clients

Ten Common Technologies Platform Lift Platform Lift Sling Lift Sling Lift Corral Handling Corral Handling Table Lift Table Lift Automatic Feeding System Automatic Feeding System Hand Tools Hand Tools Wheelchair Lift Wheelchair Lift Additional Steps Additional Steps ATV ATV Brakes, Clutch Levers, Grab Bars Brakes, Clutch Levers, Grab Bars

Methodology Performed a safety analysis on common technologies Performed a safety analysis on common technologies Worked with Easter Seals to determine safety issues with assistive technology Worked with Easter Seals to determine safety issues with assistive technology Development of safety checklists Development of safety checklists Apply safety checklists to assess their effectiveness in identifying safety issues Apply safety checklists to assess their effectiveness in identifying safety issues

Safety Checklists Handouts Handouts

Discussion of Checklist Use Example of checklist use Example of checklist use Sling/Harness Lift Sling/Harness Lift

SLING LIFT CHECKLIST SLING LIFT CHECKLIST

Questions??