Integrating Cost-effective Rollover Protective Structure Installation in High School Agricultural Mechanics: A Feasibility Study

ABSTRACTThis study with three Appalachian county agricultural education programs examined the feasibility, effectiveness, and impact of integrating a cost-effective rollover protective structure (CROPS) project into high school agricultural mechanics classes. The project aimed to (1) reduce the exposure to tractor overturn hazards in three rural counties through the installation of CROPS on seven tractors within the Cumberland Plateau in the east region; (2) increase awareness in the targeted rural communities of cost-effective ROPS designs developed by the National Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to encourage ROPS installations that decrease the costs of a retrofit; (3) test the feasibility of integration of CROPS construction and installations procedures into the required agricultural mechanics classes in these agricultural education programs; and (4) explore barriers to the implementation of this project in high school agricultural education programs. Eighty-two rural students and three agricultural educators participated in assembly and installation instruction. Data included hazard exposure demographic data, knowledge and awareness of CROPS plans, and pre-post knowledge of construction and assessment of final CROPS installation. Findings demonstrated the feasibility and utility of a CROPS education program in a professionally supervised secondary educational setting. The project promoted farm safety and awareness of availability and interest in the NIOSH Cost-effective ROPS plans. Seven CROPS were constructed and installed. New curriculum and knowledge measures also resulted from the work. Lessons learned and recommendations for a phase 2 implementation and further research are included.

摘要 本研究针对美国阿巴拉契亚地区3个县的农业教育项目，探究将低成本防翻保护结构（cost-effective rollover protective structure，简称CROPS）项目融入高中农业机械课程的可行性、有效性及影响。本项目旨在达成四项目标：其一，通过在东部坎伯兰高原区域的7台拖拉机上安装CROPS，降低上述3个乡村县内的拖拉机翻覆事故暴露风险；其二，提升目标乡村社区对美国国家职业安全与健康研究所（National Institution for Occupational Safety and Health，简称NIOSH）研发的低成本防翻保护结构设计方案的认知，以鼓励加装防翻保护结构，降低改装成本；其三，测试将CROPS的建造与安装流程融入上述农业教育项目规定的必修农业机械课程的可行性；其四，探究在高中农业教育项目中推行本项目的实施障碍。本次研究共有82名乡村学生与3名农业教育工作者参与组装与安装教学环节。研究收集的数据涵盖事故暴露相关人口统计数据、CROPS方案相关知识与认知水平、施工前后的知识掌握情况，以及最终CROPS安装效果评估结果。研究结果证实，在专业监管的中等教育场景中开展CROPS教育项目具备可行性与实用价值。本项目提升了农场安全意识，推广了NIOSH低成本防翻保护结构方案的可及性，并激发了相关兴趣。本次项目共完成7台CROPS的建造与安装，同时衍生出了全新的课程体系与知识测评方案。文末附上了项目实施经验总结，以及针对第二阶段实施与后续研究的建议。